Eligible inmates could train for commercial driver licenses

The Department of Transportation could use workforce funds for training and offer grants to education providers. Providers may include state colleges, school districts, and private education providers. The text allows up to $5 million a year from the State Transportation Trust Fund for fiscal years 2025–26 through 2029–30. Grants may support training, simulators, teaching aids, and a heavy construction course. State colleges and school districts in rural counties receive priority. The stated funding limit applies in fiscal years 2025–26 through 2029–30.

The transportation and corrections departments could coordinate commercial driver training for eligible inmates. The training is for eligible nonviolent inmates in state correctional institutions and facilities. Training must be offered at state correctional institutions and facilities and include Class A and Class B commercial driver licenses. Eligible inmates must be nonviolent and either have two years or less left on their sentence or have a scheduled release. To enroll in license training, they must be proficient in English. The bill states an effective date of July 1, 2026.

The Correctional Education Program would report each year on training and post-release jobs, and could offer commercial driver license training. The reporting duty applies to the Correctional Education Program; license training would be offered at state correctional institutions and facilities. The report must cover completed training, credentials earned, and whether trained former inmates found related work within six months after release. License training is for nonviolent inmates with two years or less left on their sentences, and enrollment requires English proficiency. The bill states an effective date of July 1, 2026.

The Department of Corrections could transport inmates in state-owned vehicles or let them drive for commercial driver training, with a certified officer present. The rules cover inmates traveling to work, education, or training and inmates operating vehicles during commercial driver training. For travel to work, education, or training, the department could transport an inmate who cannot obtain another way to travel only if specifically funded or authorized under another law. An inmate may drive a state-owned vehicle only while enrolled in or after completing a department-run or contracted driver training program, and only on department property or designated state property. The bill states an effective date of July 1, 2026.