All Roll Calls
Yes: 208 • No: 1
ArkansasHB17452025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE HOLDERS TO POSSESS A UNITED STATES WORK AUTHORIZATION; TO REQUIRE THE OPERATOR OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY; AND TO CREATE RELATED OFFENSES.
Sponsored By: RJ Hawk (Republican), Kim Hammer (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Commercial drivers face English requirements and fines
Commercial drivers in Arkansas must demonstrate that they can read and speak English well enough for required driving tasks. They must understand highway signs and signals, talk with the public, answer official questions, and complete reports and records. Driving without demonstrating these skills carries a fine of up to $500 for a first offense. A second or later offense carries a fine of up to $1,000.
Commercial license access comes with work-document limits
Arkansas accepts qualifying commercial licenses and learner's permits from U.S. states, territories, possessions, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These credentials must meet minimum federal standards. Licenses from Canada, Mexico, or another jurisdiction qualify under a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-recognized waiver or exemption. Drivers using those foreign licenses must also have a valid work visa or Employment Authorization Document. Drivers cannot be suspended, revoked, canceled, disqualified, or under an out-of-service order.
New penalties for foreign commercial license violations
Arkansas makes knowingly making, presenting, or using a false public record as a genuine foreign commercial driver's license a Class D felony. Drivers who knowingly hold a valid foreign commercial license must carry a valid work visa or Employment Authorization Document while driving. That document is the federal Form I-766 work permit issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Driving without either document in immediate possession is a Class D felony. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor if drivers prove it was more likely than not that they had a valid document at the time.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
RJ Hawk
Republican • House
Kim Hammer
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Keith Brooks
Republican • House
Tyler Dees
Republican • Senate
Les D. Eaves
Republican • House
Brian S. Evans
Republican • House
Ben Gilmore
Republican • Senate
Brad Hall
Republican • House
Dolly Henley
Republican • House
Mike Holcomb
Republican • House
Justin Boyd
Republican • Senate
Joshua Bryant
Republican • Senate
Joey L. Carr
Republican • House
Jon Milligan
Republican • House
Jason Nazarenko
Republican • House
Stetson Painter
Republican • House
Aaron Pilkington
Republican • House
Bart Schulz
Republican • House
DeAnn Vaught
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/9/2025
House Vote - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 2:11:29 PM
Yes: 82 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
Senate Vote - Thursday, April 3, 2025 2:12:37 PM
Yes: 33 • No: 0
House vote • 3/20/2025
House Vote - Thursday, March 20, 2025 1:42:40 PM
Yes: 93 • No: 1 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1745 is now Act 604
4/14/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/9/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/9/2025HouseSenate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
4/9/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
4/8/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION- HOUSE
4/3/2025HouseReturned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1
4/3/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .
4/3/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/3/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/1/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/1/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/1/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1
3/31/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE
3/20/2025SenateReceived from the House.
3/20/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
3/20/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/19/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/19/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/19/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1
3/18/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION- HOUSE
3/11/2025HouseFiled
3/11/2025House
Bill Text
HB1745 - Introduced
3/11/2025
Act Version
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