To amend title 49, United States Code, to grant the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver's licenses, and for other purposes.
In Committee
Introduced:Sep 30, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Christopher H. Smith
Representative
Republican
NJ-4
Cosponsors
0
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Taxation
Summary
This bill would allow the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to start issuing commercial driver's licenses, which are required for operating large vehicles like trucks and buses. It also provides a 5-year grace period for these territories to fully comply with federal commercial driver's license requirements without facing penalties.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would allow the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to start issuing commercial driver's licenses, which are required for operating large vehicles like trucks and buses. It also provides a 5-year grace period for these territories to fully comply with federal commercial driver's license requirements without facing penalties.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Michael F. Donoughe Tax Credit for Off Road Electric Vehicles Act </strong></p><p>This bill expands the clean vehicle tax credit to include new qualified off-road plug-in electric vehicles. The amount of the tax credit allowed for a new qualified off-road plug-in electric vehicle is 10% of the cost of the vehicle or $2,500, whichever is lower.</p><p>The bill defines a <em>new qualified off-road plug-in electric vehicle</em> as any vehicle that</p><ul><li>is acquired new and for use by the taxpayer;</li><li>is made by a qualified manufacturer;</li><li>is powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with a capacity of at least six kilowatt hours;</li><li>has final assembly occurring in North America;</li><li>has a dry weight of less than 3,500 pounds;</li><li>has three or more wheels;</li><li>has one or more seats;</li><li>is manufactured primarily for off-road use;</li><li>is designed for use on rough terrain and, except in the case of a vehicle designed to operate on land and water, is not designed to operate on rails, in the air, or in or on the water; and</li><li>is capable of reaching a speed of 40 miles per hour.</li></ul><p>Under current law, a <em>qualified manufacturer</em> is any manufacturer that has a written agreement with the Internal Revenue Service and submits reports containing information about each eligible clean vehicle.</p><p>Finally, the bill allows the tax credit for a new qualified off-road plug-in electric vehicle to be transferred from the taxpayer to an eligible entity (e.g., vehicle dealer) in exchange for a financial benefit (e.g., rebate).</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Grants the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver's licenses
Provides a 5-year grace period for the territories to comply with federal commercial driver's license requirements without facing funding penalties
Requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to work with the territories to help them achieve full compliance
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If enacted, this bill would benefit residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by allowing them to obtain commercial driver's licenses within their home territories, which could expand job opportunities and commercial transportation services. It would also give the territories more time to update their licensing systems to meet federal standards without risking the loss of critical transportation funding.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Taxation
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
5656, 119th Congress (2025). "To amend title 49, United States Code, to grant the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver's licenses, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5656
