Arkansas House Bill 1569, known as the Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, proposes significant changes targeting noncitizen commercial truck drivers. The bill introduces four new criminal offenses specifically for noncitizen drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in Arkansas, which include:
- Operating a commercial vehicle without a U.S. commercial driver license (CDL), resulting in a $5,000 fine and vehicle impoundment.
- Causing injury while driving a CMV, potentially leading to felony charges and a minimum of six months in prison.
- Involvement in a fatal crash while driving a CMV, which could result in charges of vehicular homicide with a minimum ten-year prison sentence.
- Failing to meet English language proficiency requirements, with associated fines of $5,000.
The bill also imposes new liabilities on trucking companies, including fines up to $10,000 for hiring or leasing trucks to drivers who do not meet these requirements. This lack of clarity on company liability could create new challenges for businesses.
The potential impact on truck drivers and the broader industry could be significant. Immigrant drivers may face reduced job opportunities if they cannot meet the new CDL or language requirements, potentially discouraging legal immigrants from entering the industry. Additionally, the threat of severe penalties for accidents could increase stress and hiring difficulties.
For trucking companies, the bill could lead to fewer available drivers and higher operating costs due to increased compliance and verification demands. This might push some businesses to avoid operating in Arkansas, impacting the state’s economy and freight movement.
The bill’s opponents, including civil rights organizations, argue that it unfairly targets immigrants and could face legal challenges for potentially conflicting with federal regulations. The outcome of this bill could have far-reaching consequences for noncitizen drivers and the trucking industry in Arkansas.
