Image Credit: NatalieMaynor / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Three bills all aimed at keeping illegal aliens off Tennessee roads are set to be heard in both House and Senate committees on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. If you are interested in this type of legislation, read on to learn more and find ways you can take action.
HB1706/SB1587– Prohibits illegal aliens from operating commercial motor vehicles in Tennessee
This legislation not only explicitly prohibits employers from allowing those “not lawfully present” from driving commercial vehicles in the U.S. but also creates a Class A misdemeanor for a person knowingly allowing an illegal to operate a commercial vehicle in the state.
If an illegal is arrested while driving a commercial vehicle, law enforcement would be required to notify immigration authorities.
Additionally, the bill creates civil liabilities for accidents caused by illegal aliens, crafting accountability for employers who knowingly allow illegals on the road and state employees who knowingly issue commercial drivers’ licenses to illegal aliens.
After passing out of subcommittee last week, HB1706 bill is now set to be heard in the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 3. The Senate companion, SB1587, will also be heard on March 3 in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB1708/SB1889– Ensures those applying for a Tennessee driver’s license speak & read English
While the Tennessee Department of Safety currently offers license exams in several languages in addition to English including German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, this legislation would mandate that should applicants fail to meet “sufficient” English standards and take the test in another language, they would only be issued a one-year restricted license.
Upon its expiration, the applicant would have to retake the written exam in English without any assistance before being issued an unrestricted license. Additionally, applicants for vehicle registry would be required to provide evidence they are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or have temporary lawful resident status.
HB1708 will be considered in the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 3. The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee will hear Senate companion bill SB1889 on Wednesday, March 4.
HB1817/SB1748– Pulls commercial drivers unable to speak or read English off Tennessee roads
Under this legislation, an enforcement officer would be required to issue an “out-of-service” order to any driver with a commercial driver’s license should the officer determine during the course of a safety inspection that the driver is not proficient in reading and speaking English.
The license would remain suspended until the driver could demonstrate an ability to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals, to respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records. A test developed and administered by the Department of Safety would be the measuring standard for a driver’s English proficiency.
Additionally, the employer of the driver given an out-of-service order would be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and issued a citation punishable by a $500 fine.
HB1817 is on the House Transportation Subcommittee calendar for Tuesday, March 3 while the Senate companion, SB1748, will be heard in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on Wednesday, March 4.
To contact committee members about any of these bills and express your support, use the information below:
House Transportation Committee– HB1706 & HB1708 to be heard Tuesday, March 3
HB1706 Prohibits illegal aliens from operating commercial motor vehicles in Tennessee.
HB1708 Ensures those applying for a Tennessee driver’s license speak & read English
Rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.aftyn.behn@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov; rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov; rep.aron.maberry@capitol.tn.gov; rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov; rep.justin.pearson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michele.reneau@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov; rep.greg.vital@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Judiciary Committee– SB1587 to be heard Tuesday, March 3
SB1587 Prohibits illegal aliens from operating commercial motor vehicles in Tennessee
Sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.bobby.harshbarger@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov; Sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
House Transportation Subcommittee– HB1817 to be heard Wednesday, March 4
HB1817 Pulls commercial drivers unable to speak or read English off Tennessee roads.
Rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.aftyn.behn@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov; rep.justin.pearson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michele.reneau@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Transportation and Safety Committee– SB1889 & SB1748 to be heard on Wednesday, March 4
SB1889 Ensures those applying for a Tennessee driver’s license speak & read English.
SB1748 Pulls commercial drivers unable to speak or read English off Tennessee roads.
Sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov; sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov; sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov; sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov; sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jessie.seal@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
