All Roll Calls
Yes: 204 • No: 54
TennesseeSB 1748114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15, relative to commercial driver licenses.
Sponsored By: Janice Bowling (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Motor Vehicles
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Commercial drivers face stricter English rules
This Tennessee law requires commercial drivers to meet English standards for public conversations, traffic signs, official questions, and required records. During safety inspections, officers must order drivers who fail this standard out of service. Their vehicles cannot operate until a substitute driver with the required English skills is present. The safety commissioner must suspend commercial licenses after an out-of-service order under the cited safety law or another finding of insufficient English skills. Suspension lasts until the driver passes the written commercial license test in English. Both rules exempt drivers who cannot speak English sufficiently but can read and write it and document a federal hearing-standard exemption. The law takes effect 90 days after the commissioner gives written notice to the Tennessee Code Commission's executive secretary of federal legislation or regulations authorizing these actions. The commissioner must also obtain written federal assurances that Tennessee's safety and transportation departments will not lose federal funds.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Janice Bowling
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Paul Bailey
Republican • Senate
Rusty Crowe
Republican • Senate
Joey Hensley
Republican • Senate
Ed Jackson
Republican • Senate
Mark Pody
Republican • Senate
Stevens
Affiliation unavailable
White
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/22/2026
Yes: 25 • No: 5
House vote • 4/20/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/20/2026
Yes: 73 • No: 21
House vote • 4/20/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/20/2026
Yes: 72 • No: 21
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/19/2026
Yes: 26 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/11/2026
TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) contingent
6/18/2026Pub. Ch. 1087
6/18/2026Signed by Governor.
5/22/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/11/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/30/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/30/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
4/24/2026SenateConcurred, Ayes 25, Nays 5 (Amendment 1 - HA0700)
4/22/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
4/21/2026SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 21, PNV 0
4/20/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0700)
4/20/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/20/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/23/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/19/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/19/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
3/19/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0653)
3/19/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/19/2026
3/17/2026SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
3/11/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
3/4/2026SenateAction deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/11/2026
3/4/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
2/25/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
1/22/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
1/21/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA0700 (Substitute)
4/20/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0653
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