English proficiency-commercial motor vehicle drivers, the official text

ORIGINAL House
Bill No. HB0032

ENROLLED ACT NO. 7, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; requiring operators of commercial motor vehicles to demonstrate proficiency in the English language; prohibiting operators of commercial motor vehicles who cannot demonstrate English language proficiency from operating commercial motor vehicles as specified; providing criminal penalties; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1. W.S. 31‑18‑608 is created to read:

31‑18‑608. English language proficiency for operators of commercial vehicles; penalties.

(a) As used in this section, "proficiency in the English language" means an operator of a commercial vehicle can demonstrate proficiency of the English language in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(2).

(b) No operator of a commercial vehicle shall operate a commercial vehicle within this state if the operator is unable to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Any operator of a commercial vehicle who violates this subsection shall be fined one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and shall be prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle within this state until the operator is able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

(c) Any operator of a commercial vehicle who operates a commercial vehicle within this state while under the prohibition imposed by subsection (b) of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by an additional fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or both.

Section 2. W.S. 31‑18‑701 by creating a new subsection (d) is amended to read:

31‑18‑701. Specific crimes and penalties; enforcement.

(d) The highway patrol division, any other enforcement officers designated by the department and any peace officer of any county or municipality shall:

(i) Be charged with the duty of policing and enforcing the provisions of W.S. 31‑18‑608; and

(ii) Have the authority to issue citations for violations for any provisions of W.S. 31‑18‑608.

Section 3. This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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