H.R. 5863: No CDLs for Illegals Act

This bill, titled the No CDLs for Illegals Act, proposes amendments to current regulations regarding the issuance of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) in the United States. Below is a summary of the key provisions of the bill:

Commercial Driver’s License Requirements

The bill seeks to impose stricter requirements on States when issuing commercial driver’s licenses. Specifically, it would require that:

• Applicants for a CDL must provide valid documentation that confirms their citizenship status, lawful permanent resident status, or valid work authorization.
• Applicants must also present valid proof of residence in the State where they are applying for the CDL.
• States would be prohibited from issuing a CDL to someone who is not a resident of that State.
• States must utilize the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) system to verify the lawful presence of any non-citizen applying for a CDL. If the SAVE system does not confirm the applicant's status, the application must be denied.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The bill outlines penalties for States that do not comply with these requirements:

• If the Secretary of Transportation determines that a State has issued CDLs contrary to the above requirements, the State risks having its federal transportation funds suspended.
• The Secretary will conduct annual reviews of each State's CDL policies to ensure compliance with the new requirements, and may request necessary information from the States to make these determinations.
• States that have their funds suspended can have them reinstated when they demonstrate compliance with the requirements.

Regulations and Fines for Trucking Companies

Additionally, the bill gives the Secretary of Transportation the authority to establish regulations pertaining to fines for trucking companies. Specifically, trucking companies could face fines for knowingly employing drivers who do not possess a valid CDL that meets the new compliance standards.

Summary of Impact

Overall, the No CDLs for Illegals Act aims to limit the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to individuals who can prove their lawful presence in the United States and their residency in the issuing State. It also establishes a framework for penalizing States that fail to comply with these requirements and holds trucking companies accountable for employing drivers without valid CDLs.

Relevant Companies

None found.