JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt is expected to sign a bill that would require new CDL applicants in Missouri to prove they have a firm grasp of the English language to obtain a commercial drivers license. (See May 1, 2007 and Feb. 1, 2008 issues of Bus & Motorcoach News.)

Key provisions of the new law would require that the commercial drivers license written test to be offered only in English, and applicants would be required to understand traffic signs and signals written in English. They also would be prohibited from using translators while taking the test.

Supporters of the bill adopted by the state General Assembly say they are concerned that people are allowed to drive commercial vehicles on Missouri roads without a command of the English language. They point out that federal safety regulations (391.11) state that applicants are required to:

"Read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records "

Opponents said that adopting the strict standards would push certain trucking companies to go "underground" by hiring people to sit behind the wheel of their vehicles.

Advocates for the English standard say its simply a matter of improving safety.

Another provision in the bill would prohibit local governments from enacting policies that give sanctuary to illegal immigrants. State funding would be cut for localities that do not cooperate with federal officials trying to enforce immigration laws.

Advocates for the bill note that law enforcement agencies in some states make it a policy for their officers not to ask suspects about their immigration status. There are an estimated 60 so-called sanctuary cities throughout the nation that are recognized by rule or regulation.