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91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

SF 2173: Relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, and providing penalties

Became SF 2426 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

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.

Sponsors

Sen. Amy Sinclair (R)

Cost

See the 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 incl…

Senate subcommittee · named February 3, 2026

  • Sen. Ken Rozenboom (R) · ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov
  • Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
  • Sen. Cindy Winckler (D) · cindy.winckler@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 5 against

For: Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; Iowa Motor Truck Association; VALOR Iowa

Against: Building Bridges; Iowa Farmers Union; Iowa Insurance Associates; NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Iowa-Nebraska; Presentation Lantern Center

In plain words

  1. February 2, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Transportation committee
  2. February 3, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Rozenboom, Shipley and Winckler
  3. February 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
  4. February 23, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2426

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Monday, November 9, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/91/SF2173