Iowa Senate adopts requirement for English‑proficiency exams for CDL applicants, passes SF 2426 47‑0
February 25, 2026 | 2026 Senate, Legislative, Iowa
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Iowa Senate passed Senate File 2426, requiring the Iowa Department of Transportation to assess English proficiency for applicants seeking a commercial driver license or commercial learner's permit and withholding issuance unless applicants meet standards "as set in federal code," sponsor Senator Rosenboom said.
Rosenboom, the bill sponsor, told the chamber that the required English proficiency exam "may be taken multiple times" and "must be based on a computer or on a computer based format." She said the bill includes a delayed implementation date of March 1, 2027.
The sponsor moved and the Senate adopted Amendment 5029. Rosenboom described the amendment as clarifying that "persons subject to this exam shall not be required to take it again once they have successfully completed it." The amendment also narrows enforcement: Rosenboom said law enforcement shall issue an out‑of‑service order to a person who violates the bill only when the person holds an unexpired CDL or CLP that the Iowa DOT issued after the person would have been subject to the English proficiency exam.
Senator Winkler spoke in support, saying the bill "has come a long way" and that it focuses on holding employers accountable "for hiring drivers that are qualified to be driving on the road with the 80,000 pound truck," and urging senators to adopt the bill as consistent with state and federal law.
After debate, Rosenboom moved that Senate File 2426 be read for the last time and placed on its passage. The secretary opened the voting system for a roll call. Named senators recorded voting yes included Senators Evans, Westrich, Webster, Whitver, Trone Garrett, Bustillo, Bussello, Schultz, Busigliano, Dawson, Blake, Kornbach and Gruenhagen; multiple additional "Senator votes I" entries were recorded in the roll call transcript. The secretary announced 47 voting yes and 0 voting no. The chair declared the bill passed the Senate and that the title was agreed to.
Following passage, Senator Clemish asked unanimous consent to immediately message Senate File 2426; the chair, hearing no objections, ordered it.
The transcript next shows Senate File 2399 called up with Senator Bussello recognized, but the Senate went at ease for Democratic caucus and SF 2399 was not debated in the provided record.
What the bill does and next steps
According to sponsor remarks in the Senate, SF 2426 requires Iowa DOT to ensure applicants meet English‑language proficiency standards "as set in federal code" before issuing a CDL or CLP; the bill also would prohibit commercial motor carriers from employing drivers who do not meet those standards. The law, as explained on the floor, would take effect for examinations beginning March 1, 2027. The amendment adopted on the floor prevents a successful test taker from being required to re‑take the exam and limits when law enforcement can issue out‑of‑service orders, tied to the date the CDL or CLP was issued by the Iowa DOT.
The Senate record does not specify whether the bill contains additional compliance details, appeal processes, or how the Iowa DOT will administer the exam beyond the sponsor's description of a computer‑based format. The Senate also did not place additional legislative conditions or appropriation language on the floor during the recorded debate. The roll call recorded 47 ayes and 0 nays; the bill was immediately messaged following passage.
Quotes from the floor
"The person must meet the standards of English proficiency, as set in federal code," Senator Rosenboom said in opening remarks describing the bill.
"The amendment clarifies that persons subject to this exam shall not be required to take it again once they have successfully completed it," Rosenboom said when introducing Amendment 5029.
"The focus of the bill is basically to hold the companies accountable for hiring drivers that are qualified to be driving on the road with the 80,000 pound truck," Senator Winkler said in supporting the bill.
Ending
The Senate passed SF 2426, adopted Amendment 5029, and ordered the bill immediately messaged after a recorded 47‑0 vote. The next item called up in the transcript, SF 2399, was not debated before members recessed for a Democratic caucus.
Rosenboom, the bill sponsor, told the chamber that the required English proficiency exam "may be taken multiple times" and "must be based on a computer or on a computer based format." She said the bill includes a delayed implementation date of March 1, 2027.
The sponsor moved and the Senate adopted Amendment 5029. Rosenboom described the amendment as clarifying that "persons subject to this exam shall not be required to take it again once they have successfully completed it." The amendment also narrows enforcement: Rosenboom said law enforcement shall issue an out‑of‑service order to a person who violates the bill only when the person holds an unexpired CDL or CLP that the Iowa DOT issued after the person would have been subject to the English proficiency exam.
Senator Winkler spoke in support, saying the bill "has come a long way" and that it focuses on holding employers accountable "for hiring drivers that are qualified to be driving on the road with the 80,000 pound truck," and urging senators to adopt the bill as consistent with state and federal law.
After debate, Rosenboom moved that Senate File 2426 be read for the last time and placed on its passage. The secretary opened the voting system for a roll call. Named senators recorded voting yes included Senators Evans, Westrich, Webster, Whitver, Trone Garrett, Bustillo, Bussello, Schultz, Busigliano, Dawson, Blake, Kornbach and Gruenhagen; multiple additional "Senator votes I" entries were recorded in the roll call transcript. The secretary announced 47 voting yes and 0 voting no. The chair declared the bill passed the Senate and that the title was agreed to.
Following passage, Senator Clemish asked unanimous consent to immediately message Senate File 2426; the chair, hearing no objections, ordered it.
The transcript next shows Senate File 2399 called up with Senator Bussello recognized, but the Senate went at ease for Democratic caucus and SF 2399 was not debated in the provided record.
What the bill does and next steps
According to sponsor remarks in the Senate, SF 2426 requires Iowa DOT to ensure applicants meet English‑language proficiency standards "as set in federal code" before issuing a CDL or CLP; the bill also would prohibit commercial motor carriers from employing drivers who do not meet those standards. The law, as explained on the floor, would take effect for examinations beginning March 1, 2027. The amendment adopted on the floor prevents a successful test taker from being required to re‑take the exam and limits when law enforcement can issue out‑of‑service orders, tied to the date the CDL or CLP was issued by the Iowa DOT.
The Senate record does not specify whether the bill contains additional compliance details, appeal processes, or how the Iowa DOT will administer the exam beyond the sponsor's description of a computer‑based format. The Senate also did not place additional legislative conditions or appropriation language on the floor during the recorded debate. The roll call recorded 47 ayes and 0 nays; the bill was immediately messaged following passage.
Quotes from the floor
"The person must meet the standards of English proficiency, as set in federal code," Senator Rosenboom said in opening remarks describing the bill.
"The amendment clarifies that persons subject to this exam shall not be required to take it again once they have successfully completed it," Rosenboom said when introducing Amendment 5029.
"The focus of the bill is basically to hold the companies accountable for hiring drivers that are qualified to be driving on the road with the 80,000 pound truck," Senator Winkler said in supporting the bill.
Ending
The Senate passed SF 2426, adopted Amendment 5029, and ordered the bill immediately messaged after a recorded 47‑0 vote. The next item called up in the transcript, SF 2399, was not debated before members recessed for a Democratic caucus.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
