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119-hr-7793119th CongressWALLET

The Dalilah Law

Sponsored By: Representative Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

In Committee

Summary

Linking CDL eligibility to U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or specific work visas. This bill would shift who can get and keep a commercial driver's license by tying eligibility to immigration status and English proficiency.

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  • Drivers: Current and new commercial drivers would have to recertify within 180 days, verify citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or a qualifying nonimmigrant visa, and demonstrate English proficiency and testing.
  • Noncitizen workers: People without citizenship, LPR, or the listed nonimmigrant visas would be barred from new CDLs and could face lifetime disqualification for operating a commercial motor vehicle while unauthorized, with narrow exceptions for certain visas or travel authorizations.
  • States and employers: States that miss recertification, revocation, status-verification, or English-testing requirements could have "covered funding" withheld, increasing federal oversight of state licensing and affecting employers who rely on commercial drivers.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Lifetime ban for unauthorized commercial drivers

If enacted, the Secretary would disqualify for life anyone who operated a commercial motor vehicle in the United States while not a U.S. citizen, not a lawful permanent resident, and not a qualifying nonimmigrant with a valid, unexpired visa. Two narrow exceptions would apply: a qualifying nonimmigrant described in the statute with a valid visa, or a person with a valid travel authorization under 8 C.F.R. 217.5 and a valid admission record under 8 U.S.C. 1302.

Mandatory CDL recertification in 180 days

If enacted, States would have to recheck every covered commercial license holder within 180 days after the bill becomes law. The check would confirm U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or a qualifying nonimmigrant status with a valid, unexpired visa. States would also verify English proficiency per 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2) and that required exams were passed in English. If a driver misses the deadline or fails the checks, the State would have to revoke the covered license or authorization.

New CDL limits to citizens and visas

If enacted, new commercial driver's licenses would be available only to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain qualifying nonimmigrants who hold a valid, unexpired visa under the listed INA subparagraphs. The change would prevent many noncitizens from getting new CDLs and could limit job opportunities for affected applicants.

Federal funding cuts for noncompliant States

If enacted, the Secretary would withhold all "covered funding" from any State that fails to meet the bill's recertification, revocation, status-verification, or English-language requirements. Triggers include missing the 180-day recertification deadline, failing required revocations, issuing licenses to people not proficient in English or testing in other languages, or issuing licenses to people without the required status or valid visas. Withholding would begin in the first fiscal year after the missed deadline or after enactment, depending on the trigger.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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