Motor Vehicles - As enacted, revises law relative to out-of-service orders issued to commercial drivers and related penalties. - Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15.
SB 1748 requires Tennessee enforcement officers to issue out-of-service orders for commercial drivers who cannot read or speak English sufficiently to understand traffic signs, respond to officials, or complete required records - meeting federal 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) standards. It directly affects commercial drivers and their employers, who face a $500 fine per violation (classified as a Class C misdemeanor) if a driver fails the English proficiency requirement during a safety inspection. Drivers must pass a state-administered English test to regain their license, with employers liable for associated fines. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 55-50-403, 55-50-405, and 65-15-111 to implement these requirements, effective January 1, 2027.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Signed May 22, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
26
Key actions
12
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 22, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 25, Nays 5 (Amendment 1 - HA0700)
upper
Apr 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0700)
lower
Apr 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 21, PNV 0
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0653)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/11/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Janice Bowling
RRepublican
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