Iowa legislation · 91st General Assembly
Iowa HF2477: A BILL FOR An Act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable
Status: In committee, February 16, 2026
An Act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.
What the bill says
A bill FOR An Act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.
From the introduced text, February 16, 2026:
A BILL FOR An Act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 6154HH (3) th/ns H.F. 2477 Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. 1. Iowa has a compelling interest in ensuring vehicles and persons are safe on Iowa highways. 2. Federal regulations requires persons operating a commercial motor vehicle to possess sufficient English language proficiency necessary to converse with the general public, understand traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records. 3. Iowa is empowered to enforce federal regulations and has authority to regulate persons operating a commercial motor vehicle in this state. 4. Communication failures involving commercial motor vehicles contribute to collisions, injuries, and fatalities on Iowa highways. 5. Enhanced state enforcement mechanisms serve Iowa's legitimate and compelling interest in protecting the traveling public. 6. These requirements apply neutrally to all persons operating a commercial motor vehicle regardless of national origin, ethnicity, race, or state of licensure. Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 321.187B English language proficiency ---- commercial drivers ---- commercial carriers ---- enforcement. 1. English language proficiency. A commercial driver shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the driver is able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language sufficient …
Sponsors
- Charley Thomson (R, 58) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Introduced, referred to Transportation. H.J. 295 .
Subjects: commercial carriers, commercial vehicles, common carriers, road use tax fund, safety, transportation department, english language, highways
Common questions
- What is HF2477?
- HF2477 is a bill in the Iowa Legislature (91st General Assembly): A BILL FOR An Act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.
- What does HF2477 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR An Act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.
- What is the status of HF2477?
- In committee as of February 16, 2026. Latest action: Introduced, referred to Transportation. H.J. 295 . (February 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored HF2477?
- Charley Thomson (R, 58).
- Where is the official record for HF2477?
- On the Iowa Legislature website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF+2477&ga=91
Source: official Iowa record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.