Committee recommends HB 2446 with suggested amendment to protect federal border-zone rules

The Arizona House Rules Committee recommended House Bill 2446 as constitutional and in proper form, and the rules attorney recommended a narrow floor amendment to harmonize the measure with federal safety rules.

Tim Fleming summarized HB 2446 as a measure to check commercial truckers' ability to speak and understand English so they can read and adhere to highway and traffic signs; if an officer finds a motor carrier cannot demonstrate proficiency, the bill authorizes issuing an "out of service order" under state law (SEG 080–091).

Fleming identified a constitutional flag under the Supremacy Clause: FMCSA rules prohibit issuing certain out-of-service orders within the federal "border commercial zone." Fleming recommended a floor amendment to carve out that border commercial zone to avoid a conflict with federal law (SEG 092–105).

Committee action. Members asked whether the sponsor was responsive; Fleming said the sponsor had reached out and that a meeting was being scheduled to discuss harmonizing language (SEG 111–121). The committee voted 5 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent to recommend the bill as constitutional and in proper form (SEG 129–144).

What’s next. Fleming said a floor amendment could better harmonize the bill with FMCSA rules; staff and the sponsor planned to continue discussions before floor consideration.