Requires commercial drivers in Iowa to demonstrate English language proficiency as a condition of CDL issuance and operation, establishes penalties for noncompliant drivers and motor carriers, and directs the Department of Transportation to administer testing consistent with federal standards.

Proposes amending Iowa Code to establish new English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. The bill requires the Iowa Department of Transportation to administer English proficiency examinations and to deny issuance or renewal of a CDL or commercial learner�s permit (CLP) to any person who fails to demonstrate sufficient proficiency consistent with federal standards. It also prohibits commercial motor carriers from employing or engaging drivers who are not sufficiently proficient in English, with civil penalties ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 for violations. Drivers found operating a commercial motor vehicle without the required proficiency would be subject to criminal misdemeanor penalties or, in certain cases, an out-of-service order. The bill further includes provisions governing vehicle removal and cargo transfer in such situations, and prohibits enforcement where doing so would conflict with federal law or jeopardize federal funding.

Pending Senate action. Companion to HF 2700.

02/02/2026 Introduced. Referred to Senate Committee on Transportation.
02/09/2026 Subcommittee meeting.
02/10/2026 Subcommittee meeting.
02/11/2026 Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
02/23/2026 Committee report approves amended bill. Renumbered as SF 2426 (previously SF 2173).
02/23/2026 Introduced as SF 2426..
02/232026 Committee report approves bill.
02/25/2026 Fiscal note received in Senate.
02/25/2026 Amendment S-5029 filed and adopted.
02/25/2026 Passed Senate.
02/25/2026 Message to House from Senate.
02/06/2026 Read first time in House. Passed on file. Fiscal note received.
02/26/2026 Amendment H-8060 filed.
02/26/2026 Amendment H-8061 filed.
03/02/2026 Amendments H-8065, H-8081 filed. Fiscal note received.
03/03/2026 Amendment H-8087 filed in House.
03/19/2026 Placed on House calendar under unfinished business.
03/25/2026 Amendment H-8265 filed in House.
03/31/2026 Substituted for companion bill HF 2700.
03/31/2026 House Amendments H-8060, H-8081 and H-8087 withdrawn.
03/31/2026 Amendment H-8273 to amendment H-8265 adopted.
03/31/2026 Amendment H-8265 adopted as amended.
03/31/2026 Amendments H-8061 and H-8065 out of order.
03/31/2026 Passed House. Message received in Senate from House.
04/01/2026 Fiscal note received in Senate.
04/06/2026 Amendment S-5156 to S-5148 filed.
04/082026 Senate concurred with S-5148, as amended.
04/08/2026 Amendment S-5156 adopted.
04/08/2026 Passed Senate.
04/08/2026 Immediate message to House.
04/08/2026 Message from Senate received in House. Senate amendment filed.
04/15/2026 House concurred in Senate amendment H-8337.
04/15/2026 Passed House. Immediate message to Senate.
04/16/2026 Senate received message of House passage.