Committee actions: flashing-lights for school vehicles, franchise warranty rates, crossing-guard immunity and rodeo specialty plate advance

The Senate Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee on March 19 moved multiple bills out of committee with votes summarized below. These items followed more extended debate on a separate State Guard bill that did not advance.

School district vehicles — Senate File 5 (passed): The committee approved language permitting school-district-owned multi-purpose vehicles (commonly "MVPs" or sub‑urban vehicles used by small districts) to display flashing amber/white warning lights to improve visibility when traveling on public highways. Sponsor Senator Tom Cooper said the change is safety‑focused: rural districts sometimes use smaller vehicles for a handful of students and drivers need a way to alert highway traffic, especially in poor weather or when making turns. Supporters included the Wyoming Association of School Administrators and Park County School District representatives who described recruitment challenges for licensed bus drivers and the operational need for smaller vehicles. The bill is permissive (does not create bus stop protections) and passed the committee by voice/roll call, 5‑0.

Automotive franchise warranty reimbursements — Senate File 5106 (passed): The committee approved a bill that lays out a statutory process for dealers and manufacturers to establish hourly labor rates and retail parts‑markup rates for warranty work. The measure removes a fixed 30% statutory retail parts‑markup and replaces it with a methodology for dealers to calculate a market-based markup from their non‑warranty invoices and to request a negotiated change from manufacturers; the text preserves a 40% retail markup for certain full engine and transmission assemblies per the negotiated draft. Dealers, represented by the Wyoming Auto Dealers Association and individual dealers, said the change levels the playing field with surrounding states and helps recruit and retain technicians; auto manufacturers' trade representatives said they negotiated to a mutually acceptable process. The committee approved the bill on a 4‑1 roll call (Senator Kold recorded the lone no).

Crossing guards immunity — Senate File 110 (passed): Senators approved a bill extending governmental-claims immunity to volunteers and school district employees acting as roadway crossing guards while serving public school districts organized under Wyoming statute. Sponsors said the change was prompted by parents and districts concerned volunteers declined to help students cross due to liability fears. The Wyoming Association of School Administrators and the Wyoming School Boards Association testified in support. The committee passed the bill 5‑0.

Rodeo specialty license plate — Senate File 121 (passed): The committee approved creation of a rodeo specialty plate. The Wyoming Department of Transportation told the committee the bill is consistent with other specialty plates the department already administers; the bill requires that the plate say "Rodeo — the official sport of Wyoming" and sets a January 1, 2026 start if enacted. The committee passed the bill 5‑0.

Votes at a glance (committee roll calls) - Senate File 5 (school district vehicles, flashing lights): Ayes — Anderson, Brennan, Cooper, Kohl, Pappas (5 ayes). Outcome: advanced. - Senate File 5106 (automotive warranty reimbursement process): Ayes — Anderson, Brennan, Cooper, Pappas; No — Kold. Outcome: advanced (4–1). - Senate File 110 (crossing guards immunity): Ayes — Anderson, Brennan, Cooper, Kohl, Pappas (5 ayes). Outcome: advanced. - Senate File 121 (rodeo specialty plate): Ayes — Anderson, Brennan, Cooper, Kohl, Pappas (5 ayes). Outcome: advanced.

Ending: All four bills will proceed to floor consideration; sponsors and department staff said they will be prepared to answer specific implementation or fiscal questions on the floor.