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.

SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology

This bill is fully constitutional. It extends an existing federal regulatory framework to territories, which Congress has clear authority to do under the Territorial Clause. It does not infringe any rights, respects individual sovereignty, appropriately delegates to territorial governments, and follows due process with a five-year grace period.

• ✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
  Congress has plenary authority over U.S. territories under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 (the Territorial Clause). Additionally, the bill relates to interstate commerce and highway safety, falling within Congress's power under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause). The bill does not exceed these enumerated powers.
• ✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
  The bill does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, quartering, search and seizure, self-incrimination, due process, fair trial, jury, or cruel and unusual punishment. It merely extends eligibility for commercial driver's licenses to territories. No Bill of Rights provision is implicated.
• ✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
  The bill does not restrict any individual's person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It expands the ability of individuals in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to obtain commercial driver's licenses, which is an enabling rather than restrictive action. No compelling justification is needed because no restriction is imposed.
• ✓ Passes · Decentralization
  The bill passes all four questions of the decentralization test. (1) Individuals cannot issue their own CDLs, but that is a matter of public safety standards, not a restriction on personal conduct. (2) Local communities could not independently issue federally recognized CDLs without federal standards. (3) Territories cannot issue CDLs under current law, so this bill enables them to do so, moving a…
• ✓ Passes · Due process and takings
  The bill includes a five-year grace period before any funds may be withheld for noncompliance, providing fair notice and opportunity to comply. No property is taken without just compensation. The withholding of Highway Trust Fund apportionments is a standard condition on federal grants, not a taking. Procedural and substantive due process are satisfied.

Sources: Congress.gov: HR 5656 summary