May 23, 2025
Mr. Taylor (for himself, Ms. Hageman, Mr. Collins, Mr. Gosar, Ms. Van Duyne, and Mr. Finstad) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend title 49, United States Code, with respect to the requirement to test drivers of commercial motor vehicles for English proficiency, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as Connor’s Law
.
Sec. 2. Requiring minimum language skills for commercial motor vehicle operators
(a) In general
Section 31308(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (A) by striking and
at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (B) by inserting and
at the end; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(C)
can read and speak the English language sufficiently to—
(i)
converse with the general public;
(ii)
understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language;
(iii)
respond to official inquiries; and
(iv)
make entries on reports and records;
(b) Out-of-Service order for noncompliance with minimum language requirement
(1) Declaration of out of service
An individual operating a commercial motor vehicle who is determined by an authorized enforcement officer to be noncompliant with section 391.11(b)(2) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), shall be declared out of service.
(2) Rule of construction
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to change, limit, or otherwise impact out-of-service orders that are—
(A)
not covered under paragraph (1); and
(B)
carried out pursuant to applicable Federal law, Federal regulation, or the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.