The Dalilah Law

Legislative Summary: The Dalilah Law (S. 3917)

Overview

The Dalilah Law is a legislative proposal designed to restrict the issuance of Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and other authorizations to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the United States. The bill establishes strict citizenship and visa requirements for commercial drivers and mandates English language proficiency for all related testing and certification.

Key Provisions

1. Eligibility Restrictions for CDLs

The bill amends federal law to prohibit the issuance of a CDL or any other state authorization to operate a commercial vehicle unless the individual meets one of the following criteria:
* U.S. Citizenship: The individual is a citizen of the United States.
* Lawful Permanent Residency: The individual is a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder).
* Specific Work Visas: The individual holds a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa under specific categories defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (specifically subparagraphs E(ii), H(ii)(a), or H(ii)(b)).

2. Permanent Disqualification

The bill introduces a severe penalty for unauthorized operation. The Secretary of Transportation is directed to disqualify for life any individual who operates a commercial motor vehicle in the U.S. without meeting the citizenship or visa requirements listed above (unless they hold specific transit authorizations or valid admission records).

3. Mandatory Recertification and English Proficiency

To ensure compliance for existing drivers, the bill requires States to implement a recertification process:
* Timeline: All current holders of a "covered license" must be recertified within 180 days of the Act's enactment.
* Verification: Recertification must verify the driver's legal status (citizenship/residency/visa).
* English Language Requirement: Drivers must prove they are proficient in English and must have passed all required examinations (knowledge and skills tests) specifically in English.
* Revocation: Licenses must be revoked for anyone who fails to recertify or fails to meet the status and English language requirements.

4. Enforcement via Federal Funding

The bill uses federal financial leverage to ensure State compliance. The Secretary of Transportation is mandated to withhold all "covered funding" (federal funds for projects or activities in that State) if a State:
* Fails to complete the recertification process by the 180-day deadline.
* Fails to revoke licenses from ineligible drivers.
* Issues new licenses to individuals who do not meet the citizenship or visa requirements.
* Issues licenses to individuals not proficient in English or administers any driving exam in a language other than English.

Who is Affected?

• Commercial Drivers: Non-citizens who do not hold permanent residency or the specific listed work visas will be ineligible to maintain or obtain a CDL.
• Non-English Speakers: Drivers who rely on exams administered in languages other than English will be unable to secure or keep their licenses.
• State Governments: State DMV and transportation agencies must implement new verification and recertification hurdles or risk losing all federal transportation funding.
• Transportation Industry: Logistics and trucking companies may face a reduced labor pool if a significant number of current drivers fail the recertification process.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: February 25, 2026.
• Current Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.