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Congress remains focused on English proficiency, non-domiciled CDLs – Land Line Media

Congress remains focused on English proficiency, non-domiciled CDLs – Land Line Media
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

Congress remains focused on English proficiency, non-domiciled CDLs  Land Line Media

 

Report on Proposed U.S. Legislation Regarding Commercial Driver Licensing and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Legislative Context and SDG Framework

A series of legislative proposals have been introduced in the United States Congress to mandate English language proficiency for the issuance of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). These bills aim to enhance road safety, a key component of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes the proposed legislation, with a significant emphasis on its alignment with and potential impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Enhancing Road Safety: Aligning with SDG 3 and SDG 11

The primary justification for the proposed bills is the enhancement of public safety on roadways. This directly supports the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The legislation directly addresses Target 3.6, which aims to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. Proponents argue that ensuring drivers can read and understand road signs in English is a critical safety measure. The tragic case of Connor Dzion, who died in a crash involving a driver reportedly unable to read warning signs, is cited as a key motivator for “Connor’s Law.”
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Safe and reliable transportation systems are fundamental to sustainable communities. Target 11.2 calls for providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all. By seeking to reduce accidents involving commercial vehicles, these bills contribute to the overall safety and sustainability of public infrastructure.

Implications for Decent Work and Economic Inclusion: SDG 8 and SDG 10

While focused on safety, the legislative measures have significant implications for labor markets and social equity, touching upon the core principles of SDG 8 and SDG 10.

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The bills aim to improve the safety of the working environment for professional drivers and the public, which aligns with Target 8.8 to protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments. However, the requirements could also create barriers to entry into the profession.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The proposals raise concerns regarding their potential to exacerbate inequalities. The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, for example, would restrict eligibility for asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients. This could conflict with Target 10.2, which promotes the social and economic inclusion of all, and Target 10.7, which calls for facilitating orderly, safe, and responsible migration. By limiting access to employment for these groups, the legislation may inadvertently hinder their economic integration.

Overview of Key Legislative Proposals

Several bills have been introduced to address English proficiency and the integrity of the CDL system. The following is a summary of the key legislative actions:

  1. The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act (S3013/HR5767): This bill would require all CDL tests to be conducted exclusively in English and mandates that applicants hold a driver’s license for at least one year prior to eligibility.
  2. Connor’s Law (S2991): This legislation seeks to codify a previous executive order that established the ability to speak and read English as a “non-negotiable safety requirement” for professional drivers.
  3. The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act (HR5688): This bill would implement a Department of Transportation rule into law, significantly reducing the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and excluding groups such as asylum seekers and DACA recipients from eligibility.
  4. The Protecting America’s Roads Act (HR5670): This act would establish additional requirements for non-U.S. citizens before a CDL can be issued.
  5. The WEIGH Act (HR5177): This proposal directs the Department of Transportation to use weigh station checks to enforce English-proficiency requirements and review CDLs for irregularities.
  6. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Proficiency Act (S2114): This bill would require that drivers be tested for English proficiency before they can receive a commercial driver’s license.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The primary justification for the proposed legislation is to enhance road safety and prevent traffic accidents, which directly contributes to ensuring healthy lives and well-being by reducing injuries and fatalities.
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article discusses regulations affecting the trucking profession, a significant source of employment. The bills impact who is eligible for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), thereby affecting labor rights and access to decent work, particularly for migrant workers.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The legislation specifically targets non-domiciled individuals and proposes excluding groups like asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from CDL eligibility. This raises issues of inequality based on origin and migratory status, potentially creating barriers to economic inclusion.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: A key component of this goal is ensuring safe and sustainable transport systems. The article’s focus on improving the safety of commercial trucking aligns with the objective of making roads safer for all community members.
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article details the legislative process, with multiple bills (e.g., S3013, HR5767) being introduced to create and enforce new regulations. This reflects the functioning of institutions to establish laws, though the non-discriminatory nature of these proposed laws is a relevant consideration under this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  1. Target 3.6: “By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.” Although the target date has passed, the principle remains central. The article’s entire premise is built on preventing accidents, exemplified by the reference to the fatal crash involving Connor Dzion, which the proposed laws aim to prevent in the future.
  2. Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety…” The bills, such as the “Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act,” are explicitly designed to improve road safety within the commercial transport system by ensuring drivers can understand road signs and warnings.
  3. Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers…” The legislation aims to create a safer working environment on the roads. However, it also restricts access to this employment for certain migrant groups by making an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) insufficient and excluding asylum seekers and DACA recipients, which relates directly to the rights and opportunities of migrant workers.
  4. Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices…” The proposed bills could be seen as creating policies that reduce equal opportunity. By mandating English-only tests and excluding specific non-citizen groups, the legislation creates new barriers to employment for individuals based on their national origin and immigration status.
  5. Target 16.b: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The article highlights a debate between public safety and non-discriminatory policy. While proponents frame the bills as essential for safety, the exclusion of specific groups like refugees and asylees from CDL eligibility raises questions about whether these policies are discriminatory.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  1. Implied Indicator: Number of deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles. The article’s reference to the fatal crash that killed Connor Dzion implies that a reduction in such incidents is the primary measure of the legislation’s success, directly relating to Target 3.6 and 11.2.
  2. Implied Indicator: Number of non-domiciled CDLs issued. The article explicitly states that the “interim final rule, as well as Rouzer’s bill, would drastically reduce the number of non-domiciled CDLs that can be issued.” Tracking this number would be a direct measure of the policy’s implementation.
  3. Implied Indicator: CDL eligibility and issuance rates for specific migrant groups. The article notes that “asylum seekers, asylees, refugees and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients would be excluded from eligibility.” An indicator would be the number of CDLs issued to these groups, which would be expected to drop to zero if the laws pass, measuring the impact on inequality (Target 10.3).
  4. Implied Indicator: Pass/fail rates on CDL tests. The requirement that “tests be conducted only in English” implies that the pass rates for these tests, especially among non-native English speakers, would be a key metric to observe the effect of the new rule.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators Identified in Article (Implied)
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being 3.6: Halve global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. Number of deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.2: Provide access to safe transport systems for all, improving road safety. Number of crashes involving commercial drivers unable to read English road signs.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers. Number of non-domiciled CDLs issued; Pass/fail rates on English-only CDL tests.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. Number of CDLs issued to asylum seekers, asylees, refugees, and DACA recipients.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies. Implementation of laws that restrict CDL eligibility based on immigration status and national origin.

Source: landline.media

 

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