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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: TI DP 4-3-0-0 |
HB 2446: motor carriers; English proficiency
Sponsor: Representative Lopez, LD 16
House Engrossed
Overview
Requires a motor carrier in this state to demonstrate an English proficiency. Instructs an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) specialty officer and law enforcement officer (officer) to conduct roadside inspections in English and without the use of communication tools. Directs the officer to issue out-of-service order to motor carriers who do not demonstrate English proficiency.
Motor carrier safety regulation applies to all commercial motor vehicles, commercial motor vehicle combinations and manufacturers, shippers, motor carriers and drivers who operate, cause the operation of, ship materials using, transport persons or property using commercial motor vehicles, commercial vehicles owned or operated by this state or a political subdivision or public authority of this state (A.R.S. § 28-5202).
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) must, and a political subdivision may, enforce transportation regulation pertaining to motor carriers and any transportation regulation pertaining to motor carriers adopted by ADOT. A person acting for a political subdivision in enforcing motor carrier regulation is required to be certified by DPS as qualified enforcement activities. ADOT may audit records and inspect motor carriers (A.R.S. § 28-5204).
Out-of-service order is defined as a declaration that a driver, motor vehicle or motor carrier is out of service by an officer authorized to enforce motor carrier regulations (A.R.S. § 28-5241).
Provisions
1. Requires a motor carrier in this state to demonstrate English proficiency. (Sec. 1)
2. Asserts that English proficiency includes a motor carrier's ability to understand and respond to verbal questions and to understand highway traffic signs, including electronic dynamic message signs. (Sec. 1)
3. Tasks an ADOT specialty officer or a law enforcement officer with issuing an out-of-service order to a motor carrier who cannot sufficiently demonstrate English proficiency during an inspection. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires all roadside inspections to be conducted in English and without tools to facilitate communication, including interpreters, cue cards, smartphone applications or on-call telephone interpretation services. (Sec. 1)
5. Allows the remainder of the inspection to be conducted using communication methods and techniques best suited to facilitate the safe and effective completion of the inspection, if a motor carrier is deemed proficient in English by an ADOT specialty officer or a law enforcement officer. (Sec. 1)
6. Defines out-of-service order. (Sec. 1)
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10. Initials LM/IC HB 2446
11. 2/24/2026 Page 0 House Engrossed
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