The Dalilah Law

The Dalilah Law prohibits states from issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or holders of specific work visas (E-2, H-2A, or H-2B nonimmigrant visas). It also requires states to recertify existing CDL holders within 180 days, revoke licenses of those who fail recertification or are ineligible, and threatens to withhold all federal transportation funding from states that do not comply.

Sec. 2, Prohibition on issuance of CDLs to non-citizens or non-permanent residents: This section amends existing law to require that, for a state to issue a CDL or similar license, the individual must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a nonimmigrant holding a valid E-2, H-2A, or H-2B visa. It also adds a lifetime disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for anyone who drives one in the U.S. without meeting these status requirements, with narrow exceptions for B visa holders or those with certain travel authorizations.

Sec. 2, Recertification: Within 180 days of the law's enactment, states must require all current CDL holders to recertify by proving they are a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder, are proficient in English, and have passed all required tests in English. States must revoke the license of anyone who fails to recertify or is found ineligible.

Sec. 2, Withholding of covered funding: The Secretary of Transportation must withhold all federal funding from any state that fails to complete the required recertifications or revocations by the deadline, or that issues new CDLs to ineligible individuals, or that administers any required test in a language other than English.