Barron’s Law

A person would need to be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise authorized under federal law to work in a job that includes driving a commercial motor vehicle. The driver-license information system would show whether the person meets the requirement, but could not store the underlying immigration records.

States would have to require applicants to pass a federally approved English test before issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license or learner’s permit. The test would cover reading signs and safety instructions, understanding spoken and emergency instructions, and completing required records, with procedures for applicants who use American Sign Language.

The Transportation Department would have to deny registration to a carrier found to be using a new or affiliated identity to evade a safety order or other listed requirements, penalties, enforcement, or insurance consequences. The bill would also allow a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both for knowingly making a materially false statement or using an entity to evade a federal safety sanction.

Foreign motor carriers, foreign motor private carriers, and drivers operating under authority for international transportation could not haul freight between points within the United States unless federal law expressly allows it. A knowing violation could bring a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per vehicle for each day; states would have to cooperate with enforcement or could have 10 percent of specified highway funds withheld.

A motor carrier found, after notice and a chance for a hearing, to have knowingly employed or contracted with an operator ineligible under federal law would face a civil penalty of at least $25,000 per offense. If the conduct results in serious injury or death, the minimum would be $100,000.

Transportation and Homeland Security officials would report annually on implementation and enforcement. The bill would also create a technology pilot to identify unlawful domestic hauling by foreign-domiciled carriers, require a report on cross-border data-sharing gaps, and direct the Comptroller General to evaluate implementation and effectiveness.