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Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 2173Renumbered as SF 2426 · February 23, 2026

Relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, and providing penalties

Sponsored by Sen. Amy Sinclair (R)

Topics:Transportation

Same legislation: HSB 699, SF 2426, HF 2700

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Also covers HSB 699 and SF 2426 and HF 2700.

What changed before it passed
Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 2, 2026
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 3, 2026
  3. Done: Senate committeeFebruary 23, 2026
  4. Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 25, 202647–0
  5. Done: House committeeMarch 19, 2026
  6. Done: Passes the HouseMarch 31, 202668–24
  7. Done: To the GovernorMay 2, 2026
  8. Done: Signed into lawMay 2, 2026

Became SF 2426 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2426 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill prohibits the department of transportation (DOT) from issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) if the person applying for or renewing the CDL or CLP fails to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, as required in the bill. The bill requires the DOT to examine the English language proficiency of each person who applies for issuance or renewal of a CDL or CLP. The examination must require the person to demonstrate the person is able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records, pursuant to federal regulations.

Read the full explanation

The DOT must administer the examination in a computer-based format. The bill does not limit an applicant from retaking the examination, subject to the availability of the examination. A commercial motor carrier is prohibited from employing or engaging the services of a commercial driver, including as an independent contractor, who is not sufficiently proficient in the English language. A carrier who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 based on the number of violations, to be imposed and collected by the DOT and deposited in the road use tax fund (RUTF). The bill prohibits a person who is not sufficiently proficient in the English language from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). If a person who is not sufficiently proficient in the English language is found to be operating a CMV, the person must exit the CMV and is prohibited from continuing to operate the CMV. A person who violates this provision is subject to a $1,000 civil penalty, to be imposed and collected by the DOT and deposited in the RUTF. In addition, the person commits a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. The bill provides notice requirements regarding violations of the bill and provisions for a person who is sufficiently proficient in the English language to take possession of a stopped CMV or transfer the cargo to another CMV. The bill limits liability for damages that result from the tow or impoundment of a CMV if the driver did not possess sufficient English language proficiency. The DOT is prohibited from complying with a provision of the bill if compliance would cause the denial of federal funds or services or otherwise violate federal law.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments H-8265, H-8054, S-5029; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Senate subcommittee

Named February 3, 2026. On February 11, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

2 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 17, 2026 (1), February 11, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Fiscal note

The fiscal impact of the correctional impact cannot be determined because the number of new convictions under the Bill cannot be estimated. The average State cost per serious misdemeanor is between $350 and $6,200. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC.

The estimate held steady

  1. $6,200 March 2, 2026
  2. $6,200 March 2, 2026
  3. $6,200 April 1, 2026
  4. $6,200 May 27, 2026 · final

The largest dollar figure in each version’s summary.

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§321.187B

Amends§321.177

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

3 for · 5 against · 5 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Study bill

HSB 699Renumbered

91st General Assembly

SF 2173RenumberedSenate companionSF 2426Became lawfrom SF 2173HF 2700Didn’t advancefrom HSB 699

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.