In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed the life of a Pennsylvania state trooper, lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to reform commercial driver’s license (CDL) laws across the United States. The death of Trooper Michael Pahira Jr., who was investigating a commercial vehicle on Interstate 81, has sparked renewed calls for legislative changes.
On Tuesday, Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne County) paused proceedings on the U.S. House floor to honor Trooper Pahira’s “courageous life and tragic loss.” The trooper was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer operated by Michael Bon, a Haitian national who now faces multiple charges. In response, Meuser is championing a bill that seeks to tighten CDL requirements by limiting issuance to U.S. residents, green card holders, and those with temporary work visas, while also enforcing English proficiency.
Known as Dalilah’s Law, the proposed legislation is named after a young girl who was struck by an unlawfully present semi-truck driver in California. “I am calling on every member of Congress to support Dalilah’s Law,” Meuser stated, emphasizing the need for legal status and English literacy among CDL holders.
Michael Bon’s Legal Status
Michael Bon’s situation has drawn scrutiny. The 33-year-old, residing in Brockton, Mass., applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in October 2024, which was not approved. Despite this, he was able to secure a “non-domiciled” CDL in March 2025, which states were permitted to issue until a federal mandate ceased the practice. As of February, there were approximately 194,000 non-domiciled CDL holders in the U.S., according to federal records.
Massachusetts officials maintain that Bon was eligible for a CDL when he applied, as he had not been ordered to depart the U.S. and was authorized to work. The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed that Bon remained in the country illegally after his humanitarian parole ended in June 2025. Bon’s defense argues that his immigration status is not relevant to the crash, suggesting that his history of seizures may be a factor.
Advocating for CDL Reform
The call for reforming CDL laws has been ongoing, gaining momentum especially after Trooper Pahira’s death. Rep. Rob Breshanan (R-Luzerne County) joined Meuser in urging support for Dalilah’s Law. During a press conference, Breshanan emphasized the importance of enforcing CDL regulations to ensure safety, particularly in regions like Northeastern Pennsylvania, where major interstates are frequented by commercial vehicles.
“With five major interstates running through our district, Northeastern Pennsylvania sits at the crossroads of our nation’s supply chain, which means thousands of trucks are on our roads every day,” Breshanan remarked. “At a minimum, anyone entrusted with operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle should be legally authorized to hold a CDL and be able to communicate in English.”
Pennsylvania’s Legislative Response
Sen. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill County), representing the district where Pahira was killed, is advocating for Dalilah’s Law alongside other state legislative measures. These include Senate Bill 1294, which targets illegitimate CDL training providers, Senate Bill 1295 mandating English proficiency for CDL testing, and Senate Bill 1296 imposing penalties for violations, including lack of English comprehension.
Argall and Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill County) are also proposing to name a section of I-81 in honor of Trooper Pahira, reflecting the widespread support for actions to commemorate his service and prevent similar tragedies.
“I think if I could summarize it into two words, it’s very simple: Do something,” Argall urged, capturing the sentiment of constituents seeking action in the wake of Pahira’s untimely death.
