PRIA Logo™
119-s-3917119th CongressWALLET

The Dalilah Law

Sponsored By: Senator Banks, Jim [R-IN]

Introduced

Summary

Would tie CDL eligibility to U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or specified nonimmigrant visas. It would also require English-language proficiency, a full recertification of covered license holders within 180 days, and new federal funding penalties to enforce those rules.

Show full summary
  • Drivers who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents would be eligible only if they fall into specific nonimmigrant visa categories and hold a valid, unexpired visa. Operating a commercial motor vehicle without meeting those status rules can trigger a lifetime disqualification, with narrow exceptions for listed visa holders.
  • States would have to recertify all covered license holders within 180 days and revoke licenses for anyone who fails recertification or who does not meet the citizenship, visa, or English examination standards.
  • The Secretary could withhold all covered federal funding for four compliance failures: missed recertifications, failure to complete required revocations, issuing licenses to ineligible individuals, and failing to verify English proficiency or administering exams in languages other than English. Withholding would begin in the first fiscal year after the relevant deadlines.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Stricter CDL rules for drivers

If enacted, the bill would sharply narrow who may get a commercial driver's license. Only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain nonimmigrant visa holders (specific INA subparagraphs) with valid, unexpired visas would be eligible. If you held a covered CDL when the law is enacted, you would have to recertify within 180 days. Recertification would require proof of status, English proficiency per 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2), and passing all CDL-related tests in English. States would have to revoke licenses for people who fail recertification or who do not meet the status or English rules. The bill would also impose a lifetime ban on operating commercial vehicles for people who drive without the required status, with only two narrow exceptions for some B-1 visitors and certain holders of valid travel authorization plus an admission record.

States could lose federal transport funds

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary withhold all "covered funding" from any State that fails the new CDL recertification, revocation, status-verification, or English-proficiency requirements. Withholding tied to the 180-day recertification deadline would begin in the first fiscal year after that deadline. Withholding for issuing licenses to ineligible people or to people not proficient in English would begin in the first fiscal year after enactment. The bill says these withholdings apply notwithstanding any other law and that the withheld amount is all covered funding as defined.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Banks, Jim [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

  • Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation