Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act was signed into law.
The legislation, which passed the Senate in November 2023 and the House last week, expands veterans’ training opportunities in the trucking industry.
Current laws prevent new trucking school locations from accepting GI Bill benefits for two years after opening, including new locations opened by schools that are already established. Senator Fischer’s legislation allows new facilities to accept GI Bill benefits if their primary institutions have already received regulatory approval.
“America is duty-bound to care for our veterans when they return home. That’s why I wanted to remove roadblocks to good paying jobs for our vets,” said Senator Fischer. “I’m grateful my bill enabling veterans to get CDL licenses more easily was signed into law.”
Senator Fischer introduced this bipartisan, bicameral legislation with Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in March 2023. It was introduced in the House by Representatives Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.).
The bill has received endorsements from:
Veteran Service Organizations: American Legion, Moving Veterans Forward, Student Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Great Plains Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Nebraska Military Officers Association of America.
Labor Organizations: International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Trucking Industry Groups: Werner Trucking, American Trucking Association, Commercial Vehicle Training Association, and Nebraska Trucking Association.
Click here to read the text of the bill.