To amend title 49, United States Code, to grant the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver's licenses, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5656
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T13:57:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to extend federal commercial motor vehicle safety regulations to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico by allowing these territories to issue commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). It promotes safer commercial driving standards while providing support for compliance.
Key Provisions
- Expansion of Definitions: Amends Section 31301(14) of Title 49, United States Code, to include USVI and Puerto Rico in the definition of "State" for purposes of commercial motor vehicle safety laws.
- Penalty Provisions: Adds a new subsection to Section 165(c) of Title 49, treating funds apportioned to USVI as subject to penalties under federal transportation laws, ensuring accountability.
- Implementation Support: Requires the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to collaborate with USVI and Puerto Rico to achieve full compliance with Chapter 313 of Title 49 and related regulations.
- Grace Period: Provides a 5-year exemption starting from the date of enactment, during which USVI and Puerto Rico will not face withholding of federal highway funds under Title 23 for failing to meet certain CDL issuance requirements (specifically Section 31311(a) of Title 49).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadens the scope of federal commercial driver's license laws, which previously applied only to the 50 states and Washington, D.C., by explicitly including USVI and Puerto Rico.
- Introduces a tailored penalty mechanism for territorial funding apportionments, aligning them with mainland standards.
- Establishes a temporary grace period to ease the transition, preventing immediate funding cuts that could occur under current non-compliance penalties.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FMCSA will need to provide technical assistance, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving oversight of commercial vehicle safety in territories. USVI and Puerto Rico governments gain authority to regulate CDLs locally, which could streamline enforcement.
- On Citizens: Residents of USVI and Puerto Rico who operate commercial vehicles (e.g., truck drivers) will have access to locally issued CDLs, reducing the need to travel to the mainland for licensing and enhancing job opportunities in transportation. Overall road safety may improve through standardized regulations.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. territories.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Territorial Governments: USVI and Puerto Rico, which will handle CDL issuance and compliance, gaining new regulatory powers.
- Commercial Drivers and Businesses: Operators and companies in these territories, benefiting from easier licensing and safer operations.
- Federal Agencies: FMCSA and the Department of Transportation, responsible for guidance and funding oversight.
- Federal Fund Recipients: State and territorial highway programs, protected by the grace period to avoid short-term disruptions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures equal application of federal safety standards to U.S. territories, addressing a gap in existing law without altering core CDL requirements. The grace period acts as a practical safeguard against enforcement challenges in resource-limited areas.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Territories Clause (Article IV, Section 3) to regulate unincorporated territories, promoting uniformity in interstate commerce.
- Political: Highlights efforts to extend federal benefits and responsibilities to non-state territories, potentially fostering greater equity and representation for their residents in national policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
Cosponsors (2)
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 49, United States Code, to grant the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver’s licenses, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (3 pages)