HB 251 Summary

• Authorizes private entities licensed by the Department of Public Safety to administer commercial driver's license skills tests, with the director establishing fee caps not to exceed $85 and quality control standards through rulemaking.

• Creates a new hazardous materials endorsement security process requiring Transportation Security Administration clearance before issuance or renewal, with immediate revocation authority if TSA determines an applicant poses a security risk.

• Expands disqualifications for commercial driver's license holders to include violations of OVI laws and hit-and-run offenses, and increases penalties for out-of-service order violations (from 90 days to 180 days for first offense).

• Restricts pre-trial diversion programs and intervention in lieu of conviction for individuals operating commercial motor vehicles or holding commercial driver's licenses whose convictions would result in disqualification under Chapter 4506.

• Excludes certain nonproperty-carrying safety devices (such as loading/unloading equipment extending up to 24 inches) from vehicle length dimension limits for commercial vehicles.