HB 7793, titled the “Dalilah Law,” would tighten federal restrictions on who may receive or keep a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or other state authorization to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The bill would generally limit CDL issuance to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain nonimmigrant workers holding specified valid visas. It also defines and covers non-domiciled CDLs and other state-issued commercial driving authorizations, and it requires states to verify immigration status, English proficiency, and successful completion of CDL-related examinations in English.
The bill would also require states to recertify all existing holders of covered licenses or authorizations within 180 days of enactment. During recertification, states would have to confirm citizenship or qualifying immigration status, English-language proficiency, and English-language testing. Any individual who fails recertification, or who does not meet the bill’s status or language requirements, would have their commercial driving authorization revoked. The bill further directs the Secretary of Transportation to withhold all covered federal funding from states that fail to comply with the recertification, revocation, status-verification, or English-language requirements.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend title 49 of the U.S. Code, especially sections 31310 and 31311, to impose new federal eligibility and compliance conditions on state CDL programs. It would also create a strong federal enforcement mechanism by tying compliance to the loss of all covered federal transportation funding, which would pressure states to change licensing procedures, recertify current CDL holders, and enforce English-only testing and proficiency standards. The measure would directly affect state motor vehicle agencies, CDL holders, non-domiciled CDL applicants, and certain foreign workers in visa categories specifically named in the bill.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript and no recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge broad sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a safety and enforcement bill, emphasizing immigration status verification and English proficiency for commercial drivers. Its introduction by multiple House Republicans suggests support from sponsors for stricter CDL eligibility rules, but the absence of hearing or vote data means broader legislative sentiment cannot be determined from the provided materials.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s exclusion of noncitizens from CDL eligibility, its narrow exceptions for certain visa holders, and its requirement that all CDL examinations be administered in English. Another likely dispute is the mandatory recertification of existing license holders within 180 days and the threat of withholding all covered federal funding from noncompliant states, which could be viewed as a significant federal intrusion into state licensing authority. Supporters are likely to argue the bill improves highway safety and licensing integrity, while opponents may argue it unfairly targets immigrant drivers, disrupts the trucking workforce, and imposes burdensome state compliance costs.
Requires MVC to verify certain information concerning commercial learner's permit and commercial driver license applicants and holders to ensure persons illegally in the State do not obtain or hold such permits and licenses.