Friday, February 13, 2026 |
Photo – Parked semi-trucks – Bigfoot99 file photo
Wyoming lawmakers, this week, advanced a bill to authorize law enforcement officers to cite commercial drivers for English proficiency violations.
On February 4th, Connor’s Law officially became a federal statute. Named after 18-year-old Connor Dzion, who was killed in 2017 by a distracted commercial truck driver, the measure codifies President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding English proficiency. The mandate requires all commercial driver’s license holders to read and speak English well enough to understand highway signs and converse with the general public.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations already mandated a minimum English language proficiency requirement. However, the Obama administration directed inspectors not to place drivers out-of-service for language violations.
Many officials, including Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, attribute the loosened English requirements to a long-term increase in highway deaths involving commercial drivers. Despite a recent dip in fatalities, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that truck-related deaths have increased by approximately 40 percent over the last decade. In 2021, the United States recorded the highest number of large truck fatalities in nearly twenty years, with 5,788 deaths reported nationwide. To address these safety concerns, Congresswoman Hageman and five other members of Congress introduced House Bill 3608, also known as Conner’s Law.
According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s fatality crash summary, three deadly collisions involving commercial drivers occurred in Carbon County last year. Speed and driver inattention were cited as the primary causes. Statewide, Highway Patrol recorded 11 deadly CDL crashes since 2025, with one occurring near Green River just last week. The state database does not show if the driver met the minimum language requirements.
In response to the federal legislation, state lawmakers in Cheyenne have advanced House Bill 32, which authorizes law enforcement to fine commercial drivers $1,000 for failing to demonstrate basic English proficiency. The measure also requires officers to remove those drivers from Wyoming’s roads until the language requirement is met. Drivers caught violating the statute multiple times could face up to 90 days in jail.
Speaking at the February 10th House Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee meeting, Wyoming Highway Patrol Administrator Colonel Tim Cameron explained that while troopers previously had the authority to remove commercial drivers from the road for English proficiency violations, enforcement of the regulation was discouraged by the federal government. However, newly enacted statutes, specifically Conner’s Law, have allowed troopers to sideline non-compliant drivers once again. Under House Bill 32, Colonel Cameron said every law enforcement officer in Wyoming will gain the same enforcement power.
Responding to a question from Committee Chairman Landon Brown, Highway Patrol Commercial Carrier Supervisor Lieutenant Kyle McKay said troopers have issued 775 citations for English proficiency violations since President Trump’s executive order went into effect. Additionally, Lieutenant McKay said troopers have arrested 19 drivers for multiple language violations.
Representative Lloyd Larsen asked if the Wyoming Highway Patrol tracks the employers of drivers who violate language proficiency standards. Under the current system, Representative Larsen said drivers face fines while the companies that hire those individuals are not punished. Lieutenant McKay said troopers have access to nation-wide inspection records, including carrier names.
Chairman Landon Brown said the Committee considered holding carriers accountable but could not agree on who is criminally responsible for putting drivers on the road. Representative Brown said citing the operators remains the only viable way to ensure compliance.
Committee Vice Chairman Reuben Tarver asked Lieutenant McKay to explain how a roadside English proficiency test is administered. The commercial carrier supervisor said troopers ask drivers to identify road signs and answer basic questions.
Lieutenant McKay added that drivers can exercise their right to remain silent and refuse to answer any questions. Following the trooper’s testimony, Chairman Brown opened the floor to public comments.
Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Policy Advocacy Director Brett Moline said his organization supports the legislation, stating that the measure will reduce highway closures caused by crashes.
Wyoming Trucking Association President Kevin Hawley also addressed the committee in support of the measure. Rather than only fining drivers for English proficiency violations, Hawley recommended targeting the root cause: states that issue commercial licenses illegally.
Hawley said the American Trucking Associations, where he serves as the Wyoming representative, is recommending federal action targeting so-called chameleon carriers. Hawley referred to the February 3rd crash in Jay County, Indiana, where a Kyrgyzstani commercial truck driver killed four people in a head-on collision. The Wyoming Trucking Association president said companies that repeatedly switch Department of Transportation identification numbers make the nation’s highways less safe.
Hawley said the federal government must intervene to ensure commercial driver’s license holders are fully qualified before being allowed on the road.
Representative Lloyd Larsen asked Hawley how House Bill 32 compares with the recently enacted Conner’s Law. The Wyoming Trucking Association president said both measures allow law enforcement to remove drivers from the road, but not their vehicles. Hawley noted that operators often disregard the law and continue driving after being placed out of service. However, the state bill allows repeat offenders to be arrested.
Representative Larsen likened illegal commercial license holders to drug mules, where the mule is punished, but the supplier is not. The Lander Republican asked Hawley how he would modify the bill to target carriers as well as drivers. The Wyoming Trucking Association president replied that the federal government should be responsible for holding carriers accountable, instead of forcing commercial drivers to navigate a patchwork of individual state laws.
Hawley said he is working with Congresswoman Hageman on legislation to improve the federal government’s ability to punish chameleon carriers.
Following public testimony, the House Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee unanimously voted to advance House Bill 32 to the state Senate. Originally written to start on July 1st, the committee amended the measure to go into effect immediately upon Governor Mark Gordon’s signature.
