All Roll Calls
Yes: 290 • No: 79
IowaSF 242691st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, providing penalties, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 2173.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. Applicability date: Conditional.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
English test for commercial driver licenses
Beginning March 1, 2027, or earlier if the DOT files a notice that its new records system is ready, Iowa requires a computer-based English test for anyone applying for or renewing a commercial driver’s license or learner’s permit. You must pass to get or renew the license or permit. You can retake the test when space is available.
No driving or hiring without English
Starting July 1, 2026, drivers who cannot show English skill under federal rules may not operate a commercial motor vehicle. A violating driver faces a serious misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine, and up to one year in jail. Carriers may not hire or use such drivers; fines are $3,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for the third or later. If a stop occurs, the officer notifies the carrier, who must pay the civil penalty before a qualified driver can take the vehicle. If the carrier does not pay and send a qualified driver within 12 hours, the cargo owner may move the cargo, and the state, local officials, and cargo owner are not liable for damage from the move.
Enforcement pauses to protect federal funds
The department and officers must pause enforcing these English rules if doing so would cause a loss of federal funds or violate federal law. They must follow federal law to prevent losing funds. This safeguard applies starting July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2026
Passed House
Yes: 73 • No: 22
Senate vote • 4/8/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 39 • No: 5
House vote • 3/31/2026
Passed House
Yes: 68 • No: 24
legislature vote • 3/31/2026
Amendment H-8273 to amendment H-8265
Yes: 63 • No: 28
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 47 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Fiscal note.
5/27/2026legislatureSigned by Governor.
5/2/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/2/2026SenateExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026legislatureMessage from House.
4/16/2026HouseImmediate message.
4/15/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 73, nays 22.
4/15/2026HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendment H-8337.
4/15/2026SenateSenate amendment H-8337 filed.
4/8/2026SenateMessage from Senate.
4/8/2026SenateImmediate message.
4/8/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 39, nays 5.
4/8/2026SenateSenate concurred with S-5148, as amended.
4/8/2026SenateAmendment S-5156 adopted.
4/8/2026legislatureAmendment S-5156 to S-5148 filed.
4/6/2026legislatureFiscal note.
4/1/2026legislatureMessage from House, with amendment S-5148.
3/31/2026HouseImmediate message.
3/31/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 68, nays 24.
3/31/2026HouseAmendments H-8061 and H-8065 out of order.
3/31/2026legislatureAmendment H-8265 adopted, as amended.
3/31/2026legislatureAmendment H-8273 to amendment H-8265, yeas 63, nays 28, filed, adopted.
3/31/2026legislatureAmendments H-8060, H-8081 and H-8087 withdrawn.
3/31/2026legislatureSubstituted for HF 2700.
3/31/2026legislatureAmendment H-8265 filed.
3/25/2026legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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