Tennessee Senate Bill SB0084

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, relative to commercial driver licenses.

Impact

The introduction of SB0084 reflects an effort to tighten regulations surrounding hazardous materials in transportation. By aligning the expiration of commercial driver licenses with that of the endorsements, the bill aims to enhance safety by ensuring that only licensed drivers who have valid and authorized hazmat endorsements are permitted to transport such materials. This alignment is expected to streamline enforcement and compliance efforts in monitoring driver qualifications, reducing potential oversight and enhancing the overall safety of hazardous material transport on Tennessee's roads.

Summary

Senate Bill 84 (SB0084) seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning commercial driver licenses, specifically addressing the expiration related to hazardous materials endorsements. The bill proposes a modification to Section 55-50-302 to dictate that any commercial driver license issued with a hazardous materials endorsement will expire concurrently with the end of the endorsement's authorization. This change is intended to create clarity on the validity of licenses that carry specialized endorsements for hazardous materials, ensuring that all holders of such licenses maintain proper and current certification necessary for safety in their operations.

Contention

While the bill promotes safety and regulatory clarity, discussions around SB0084 may center on the implications for commercial drivers who may face new challenges in maintaining their endorsements and licenses. The requirement for synchronized expiration could impose additional burdens on drivers who must ensure they remain compliant not only with licensing but also with the specific certification connected to hazardous materials. Stakeholders from the trucking industry and drivers' advocacy groups may scrutinize whether this regulation presents undue hardship on those operating in this critical sector of the economy.