Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cited safety concerns when he vetoed a bill related to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training for prison inmates.
On June 26, 2026, DeSantis vetoed HB 325, a bill sponsored by Rep. Kim Kendall to allow non-violent inmates with two years or less remaining on their sentence to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL before their release through a Department of Corrections program.
“By allowing select individuals to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before their release, we can equip them with a credential that opens doors to stable, well-paying employment. Studies show that access to vocational training and certifications significantly reduces recidivism rates, helping individuals break the cycle of incarceration and reoffending,” Kendall said. “A CDL offers a pathway to long-term employment in a high-demand industry, increasing the likelihood of inmates transitioning successfully to life outside prison – and while filling those 15,000 CDL drivers our state needs.”
In his veto letter, DeSantis said that the bill would have created a burden for correctional staff while also creating a public safety risk.
“The bill allows inmates to operate a state-owned vehicle outside of the fence for the purpose of completing program requirements or demonstrating proficiency in the program and requires that such operation must be under the supervision of a correctional officer. Not only is this new program unnecessarily burdensome on Department of Corrections staff and its facilities but it also creates significant public safety concerns by authorizing incarcerated individuals to operate commercial vehicles in public thoroughfares,” DeSantis wrote.
DeSantis called for alternative efforts to support workforce development and Florida’s trucking industry “that do not put our roads at risk.”
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