Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
Photo – Parked trucks – Bigfoot99 file photo
State lawmakers continue advancing a bill that would allow sheriffs and police to cite commercial drivers for language deficiencies.
On Tuesday, February 24th, the Senate Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee met to discuss several items, including House Bill 32. If passed, the measure will allow every law enforcement agency in Wyoming to issue citations to commercial drivers who fail to demonstrate a basic English language proficiency. House Bill 32 was drafted in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order reinstating minimum language requirements for commercial truck drivers, a standard that was reduced under the Obama administration.
Speaking at the February 24th session of the Senate Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee, Wyoming Highway Patrol Operations Commander Lieutenant Colonel Karl Germain described House Bill 32.
House Bill 32 authorizes all Wyoming law enforcement officers, including sheriff’s deputies and local police, to issue $1,000 tickets to drivers who fail a roadside English proficiency test. In addition, the drivers are “taken out of service” and cannot continue driving until they can pass the language test. Repeat offenders may be cited another $1,000 and arrested. Lieutenant Colonel Germain clarified that the measure does not give those officers authority to conduct federal Department of Transportation safety inspections.
Highway Patrol Commercial Carrier Supervisor Lieutenant Kyle McKay said President Trump’s executive order went into effect last June. Between that time and beginning of this year, the Wyoming Highway Patrol found 775 commercial truck drivers in violation of the English language proficiency requirement, with 19 arrested for repeated offenses.
Sweetwater County Senator John Kolb asked what happens after a truck driver is taken out of service for failing the language test. Lieutenant McKay responded that in most scenarios, the trucking company must send a replacement driver, which may take considerable time. At that point, Highway Patrol is gone and the new driver simply continues on his way.
Lieutenant McKay added that federal law prohibits officers from writing a ticket to a co-driver unless they were driving at the time of the inspection.
In a follow-up question, Senator Kolb asked if Highway Patrol informs other agencies when drivers are put out of service for failing the language test. Lieutenant McKay said all violations are uploaded to a nationwide database.
District 20 Senator Ed Cooper, who represents Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties, asked if House Bill 32 simply codifies federal statutes, specifically Connor’s Law. Lieutenant Colonel Karl Germain said the state measure is entirely unique, sharing only the English language test with federal law and walked the Committee through the roadside testing process.
Lieutenant Colonel Karl Germain explained that under Connor’s Law, only Highway Patrol Troopers with Department of Transportation training can take noncompliant commercial drivers off the road. House Bill 32 specifically gives all Wyoming law enforcement officers the authority to do the same.
After reviewing the bill, Committee Chairman Senator Stephan Pappas opened the floor to public comment. Wyoming Trucking Association President Kevin Hawley spoke in support of the measure. Hawley commended Wyoming lawmakers and the Highway Patrol for acting on President Trump’s executive order when other states disregarded the new regulations.
Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police Executive Director Allen Thompson echoed Hawley’s comments.
Not everyone testified in support of House Bill 32. University of Wyoming Graduate Research and Engagement Librarian Kendra Cowley said the measure is not aimed at creating safer roads, but instead at discriminating against immigrant commercial truck drivers.
Cowley said House Bill 32 would allow officers to make subjective determinations about a driver’s English proficiency, opening the door to what she described as further discrimination against people of color. The University of Wyoming librarian added that most commercial drivers pass through Wyoming without incident and questioned the need for increased enforcement.
Senator Kolb clarified that the measure does not discriminate against anyone beyond those who are unable to demonstrate the federally mandated minimum language proficiency. For that reason, the Sweetwater County Senator said he supports House Bill 32.
Committee Chairman Senator Pappas refuted Cowley’s earlier statement that noncompliant drivers pose little danger. The Laramie County Republican said they present a risk to everyone on the road because they cannot comprehend traffic control signage.
Following the Chairman’s statements, the Senate Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee voted to move House Bill 32 to the full Senate with no amendments. The Senate must pass the measure two more times before it can be signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon.
