Vote NO on HB2446 – Redundant, Subjective, Political

I urge you to vote NO on HB2446 ("Motor carriers; English proficiency"). Federal regulation 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2) has long required commercial drivers to read and speak English. HB2446 adds nothing new; it just layers Arizona roadside enforcement on top, letting any officer issue an immediate out-of-service order based solely on their on-the-spot judgment of "sufficient" proficiency. No objective test, scoring, threshold, or procedure exists. This invites inconsistency, arbitrary decisions, and qualified drivers being sidelined unnecessarily. No Arizona-specific safety data (e.g., crashes linked to language barriers) or cost-benefit analysis justifies this. The Arizona Trucking Association has raised concerns about similar bills conflicting with federal CDL standards and risking highway funding. More troubling, this bill appears driven by political motives rather than documented state need. With 2026 elections approaching, it serves as messaging to energize certain voters on "English-first" themes, even as it duplicates federal rules and burdens Arizona's supply chain. Higher costs for groceries, fuel, and goods will hit working families hardest—your constituents who elected you to prioritize practical solutions, not partisan signaling. Please vote NO on HB2446 to avoid unnecessary economic harm, inconsistent enforcement, and the appearance of election-year politics over evidence-based policy.