Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the Senate version of Connor’s Law (S. 2991) on October 8th, 2025, to codify President Trump’s April 28th Executive Order enforcing English language proficiency requirements for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. Co-sponsored by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), the bill reverses a 2016 Obama-era FMCSA guidance that softened enforcement by issuing warnings instead of out-of-service orders for non-proficient drivers. Named for Connor Dzion, an 18-year-old killed in a 2017 Florida crash involving a trucker unable to read signs, the legislation mandates out-of-service penalties for violations, aiming to enhance highway safety. A House companion by Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH-02) has 16 co-sponsors, including Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY). Trucking groups like the American Trucking Associations and OOIDA endorse it for uniform enforcement. Amid Wyoming’s reliance on I-80 for commerce, Lummis stressed the need for clear communication in harsh conditions.
The Legislation: Key Provisions and EnforcementConnor’s Law amends Title 49 of the U.S. Code to require CDL applicants to demonstrate basic English proficiency for reading signs, understanding laws, conversing with the public, and responding to officials. It reinstates out-of-service criteria for violations, reversing the 2016 FMCSA memo (MC-ECE-2016-006) that prioritized education over immediate penalties. The EO, directed by Secretary Sean Duffy, rescinded the memo and mandated revised inspections, with FMCSA guidance issued May 20th, 2025. This ensures consistent enforcement, addressing inconsistencies where states like California issued non-domiciled CDLs to non-proficient drivers. Lummis noted Wyoming’s I-80, a key corridor, demands proficiency for safety in winds and storms.
Background: The 2017 Crash and Obama-Era ChangesThe bill honors Connor Dzion, killed on September 4th, 2017, on I-95 near Jacksonville, Florida, when a distracted trucker, Yadwinder Sangha of Kahkashan Carrier (Canada), rear-ended stopped traffic at 70 mph without braking until one second before impact. Sangha, lacking proficiency, ignored signs; the initial crash involved Russell Rogatenko of AJD Business Services, unlicensed and over hours. A 2021 Florida jury awarded Dzion’s family $1 billion ($100 million compensatory, $900 million punitive) against the companies. The 2016 FMCSA memo shifted ELP violations to warnings/citations, weakening the 2001 rule requiring proficiency for conversing, reading signs, and responding to inquiries. Trump’s EO rescinded it, mandating out-of-service enforcement.
Industry Support and Broader ImplicationsThe American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) back the bill for consistent safety standards, with ATA’s Henry Hanscom noting it provides “much-needed clarity.” OOIDA’s Todd Spencer called proficiency “a matter of safety.” Wyoming, with 3,000+ trucking firms and I-80’s role in freight, stands to benefit from reduced accidents—trucks cause 13% of fatal crashes. Critics worry about driver shortages (3.8% limited proficiency) and discrimination risks, but supporters like Lummis argue it’s “common sense.”
Next Steps and Wyoming’s StakeThe Senate bill awaits committee review; the House version advanced in May 2025. If passed, it mandates uniform enforcement, potentially cutting federal funding for non-compliant states. Wyoming, a trucking hub, could see safer I-80 amid Wyoming’s harsh weather. Track progress at congress.gov or follow Jackson Hole Radio for local impacts. Connor’s Law embodies bipartisan safety priorities—ensuring clear roads for all.
- Prepare for Jackson Hole Winter: Clear Streets, Sidewalks, and Join Fall Clean-Up by November 15th - October 16, 2025
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ‘Ski in Jeans’ Starts December - October 16, 2025
- Senator Lummis Introduces Connor’s Law: Codifying Trump EO on English Proficiency for Truck Drivers - October 15, 2025
