TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida state troopers could soon impound semi-trucks on the spot under a new bill that targets companies hiring drivers who are in the country illegally.
The legislation, pushed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Pensacola, passed its first committee on Tuesday. It aims to keep Florida highways safe following a deadly crash on the turnpike that gained national attention over the summer.
Bill targets companies and drivers
“I’m mad at the motor carriers who would hire him. I’m mad at the people who would put their loads in carriers and not do the due diligence to know they’ve got an illegal driving the truck,” Gaetz said.
The bill would allow troopers to immediately turn drivers over to federal officials, impound their trucks, fine companies $50,000 and ban them from operating on Florida highways.
“Motor carriers themselves have to ask the question, do we have we got a legal driver behind the wheel who knows what he’s doing behind the wheel? That’s an important due diligence action to take,” Gaetz said.
Legislation follows deadly crash
Gaetz developed the bill after a semi driver in the country illegally made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike in August, killing three people.
“I want to make sure we don’t have illegal drivers and drivers who don’t know what they’re doing driving dangerously on the roads of northwest Florida,” Gaetz said.
Florida Politics
Opposition cites driver shortage concerns
The American Trucking Association says the country is short more than 87,000 semi drivers. The Florida Immigration Coalition says the bill would worsen that shortage and Florida’s affordability crisis.
“That makes the supply of goods when there’s high demand, it’s going to be a spike in prices. It’s not just a solution in search of a problem. It’s a solution that exacerbates a problem,” said Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigration Coalition.
Gaetz said there are other ways to get needed drivers.
“I hope any kind of shortage isn’t not met by a kind of a shrug and a wink and putting illegals behind the wheel when they don’t know what they’re doing,” Gaetz said.
Some provisions in the bill are already law, such as turning over anyone found to be in the country illegally to federal officials. Gaetz said that ensures the legislation fits with what law enforcement is already doing.
State law enforcement is already testing drivers’ ability to speak and understand English at agriculture inspection stations across the state.
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