Thursday, February 12, 2026 |
Photo – Semi truck – Bigfoot99 file photo
At least one non-budget bill is sailing through the legislative process in Cheyenne this session.
House Bill 32, English Proficiency-Commercial Vehicle Drivers was introduced to the House on Monday, passing with a unanimous vote of 62 “ayes”. Not a single “no,” “excused,” or “absent” vote was heard.
The bill also passed the Transportation Committee on a unanimous vote, 9-0.
The bill requires truck drivers to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. According to the language in HB32, any operator who cannot pass a basic proficiency test shall be fined $10,000 and be prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle within Wyoming.
Federal laws requiring drivers to have a basic understanding of English have existed since 1937, before World War II. The State of Wyoming has no such law on the books.
Federal guidelines were tightened last summer after the Biden Administration opened the gates for foreign-speaking truck drivers.
Since June of 2025, WHP has recorded 775 violations, averaging roughly 97 per month. Of those, 19 involved repeat offenders.
The top administrator for the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Colonel Tim Cameron, told the Highways and Military Affairs Committee that the bill will make state roadways safer.
Basic proficiency amounts to basic understanding of road signs. Lieutenant Kyle McKay told lawmakers in committee that while any citizen can choose not to speak, CMV operators are already required by federal law to be able to converse with the public and respond to official inquiries.
House Bill 32 now goes back to the full House of Representatives for up to three readings before it could be sent to the Senate for consideration.
If passed, Wyoming would join states like Oklahoma and Arkansas in establishing strict state-level penalties for non-English proficient drivers.
One year ago, on February 14, 2024, a non-domiciled driver triggered a multi-vehicle crash inside the tunnel at Green River on I-80, resulting in three fatalities, including two young men from Rawlins, and 20 injuries.
