Senate Committee of the Whole recommends lighter rules for new trailer dealers

The Wyoming Senate Committee of the Whole on Feb. 21 recommended House Bill 242, a bill that exempts manufacturers and dealers of certain new trailers from some motor-vehicle franchise and dealer-license provisions.

Senator Patz moved the committee's recommendation after explaining the bill's purpose: current motor-vehicle statutes treat trailers the same as franchised motor vehicles, creating regulatory burdens for small trailer manufacturers and dealers. The bill creates a defined "sales authorization" document from a manufacturer or distributor that authorizes a dealer to sell specific trailer makes or models when no franchise agreement exists.

Sponsor and committee chair Senator Pappas (committee report) and the mover described the changes as technical and supported by industry representatives and the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The bill adds licensing language to chapter 31-16 and limited applicability exclusions for house trailers and commercial vehicles.

The Committee of the Whole adopted the motion to report the bill favorably. The motion carried on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.