Argall: Stricter Oversight of Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s Licenses Approved by Senate, Pending in House

HARRISBURG - Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), in response to many constituent requests after Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr. was killed in the line of duty during a Schuylkill County traffic stop last week, has noted his continuing support for strengthening laws governing non-domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) in Pennsylvania. Trooper Pahira was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by a person who was in the country illegally and had a non-domiciled CDL from Massachusetts.

"After last week's awful tragedy, many people have contacted my office," Argall said. "The Senate acted in May to ensure those who receive CDLs in Pennsylvania are fit to safely operate 80,000-pound vehicles on public highways. These important bills should become law as soon as possible."

Senate Bill 1294 will end CDL mills by establishing stronger penalties against illegitimate CDL training providers. The Senate approved the bill in May by a bipartisan vote of 48-2. It is now under consideration by the House Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 1295 will require English proficiency for all CDL testing. The Senate approved the bill in May by a bipartisan vote of 32-18. It is now under consideration by the House Transportation Committee.

Senate Bill 1296 will establish new penalties for out-of-service violations, including operating a commercial vehicle without English comprehension, to remove unsafe drivers from Pennsylvania roads. The Senate Transportation Committee approved the bill in April by a bipartisan vote of 10-5. It is now under consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

All three measures were introduced after a Senate Transportation Committee fact-finding hearing in December 2025 exposed alarming gaps in current law, including instances where individuals without proper training or English proficiency operated heavy commercial vehicles on U.S. highways.

Argall also called for passage of Dalilah's Law, a federal measure which would ensure all CDL holders understand English and would require states to verify they are not issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants.