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
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Commercial drivers face English violation penalties
Beginning July 1, 2026, drivers who cannot show the federally required English skills cannot operate commercial vehicles in Iowa. A violation is a serious misdemeanor carrying a $1,000 fine and possible jail time of up to one year. An officer instead orders the driver out of service if the driver holds an unexpired Iowa commercial license or learner’s permit obtained after passing the state exam. Enforcement must stop to the extent needed to protect federal funding or comply with federal law.
Commercial drivers face new English testing
Iowa requires a computer-based English test to get or renew a commercial driver’s license or learner’s permit. Testing begins March 1, 2027, or earlier if the transportation director certifies that the required records system phase is ready. Applicants must show proof of passing to receive or renew their credential; prior passing results count without another test. Retakes are allowed when available, and the test uses the federal English proficiency standard. The department must limit the requirement where needed to protect federal funds or services or comply with federal law.
Cargo owners gain notice and liability protection
Beginning July 1, 2026, officers stopping drivers for English violations must tell the carrier and cargo owner where the vehicle is. The carrier or cargo owner can arrange a replacement driver with the required English skills or transfer the cargo. Iowa, local authorities, and the cargo owner are not liable for damages from removing the vehicle from a highway. That protection also covers damages from reasonable steps to transfer the cargo.
Carriers face English fines and shutdowns
Beginning July 1, 2026, carriers operating in Iowa cannot employ or engage drivers, including contractors, who lack federally required English skills. Each such driver is a separate simple misdemeanor offense with a $10,000 scheduled fine. Officers must order a carrier out of service when an investigation, safety audit, or normal business activity reveals a violation within the past 12 months, or a matching order from another state or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Iowa-only order stops the carrier, its employees, and contractors from operating vehicles it owns, leases, or controls until the violation is corrected or the fine is paid, as applicable. Enforcement must stop where needed to protect federal funds or services or comply with federal law.
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.
5/2/2026SenateReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/2/2026SenateExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026HouseMessage from House.
4/16/2026SenateImmediate message.
4/15/2026HousePassed House, yeas 73, nays 22.
4/15/2026HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendment H-8337.
4/15/2026HouseSenate amendment H-8337 filed.
4/8/2026HouseMessage from Senate.
4/8/2026HouseImmediate message.
4/8/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 39, nays 5.
4/8/2026SenateSenate concurred with S-5148, as amended.
4/8/2026SenateAmendment S-5156 adopted.
4/8/2026SenateAmendment S-5156 to S-5148 filed.
4/6/2026SenateFiscal note.
4/1/2026legislatureMessage from House, with amendment S-5148.
3/31/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/31/2026HousePassed House, yeas 68, nays 24.
3/31/2026HouseAmendments H-8061 and H-8065 out of order.
3/31/2026HouseAmendment H-8265 adopted, as amended.
3/31/2026HouseAmendment H-8273 to amendment H-8265, yeas 63, nays 28, filed, adopted.
3/31/2026HouseAmendments H-8060, H-8081 and H-8087 withdrawn.
3/31/2026HouseSubstituted for HF 2700.
3/31/2026HouseAmendment H-8265 filed.
3/25/2026House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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