The proposed bill amends the Arkansas Motor Carrier Act of 1955 to establish a requirement for operators of commercial motor vehicles to possess sufficient proficiency in the English language. Specifically, it introduces a new section, 23-13-266, which defines the offense of operating a commercial motor vehicle without adequate English language skills. The bill outlines that a person commits this offense if they operate a commercial motor vehicle, as defined by federal regulations, and are unable to read or speak English well enough to engage with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete necessary reports and records.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that violating this requirement will result in a fine as specified under existing law (23-13-257). This legislative change aims to enhance safety and communication on the roads by ensuring that commercial vehicle operators can effectively understand and respond to critical information while driving.