State of Wyoming. Wyoming Highway Department records, 1921-1986

The Wyoming State Legislature created the Wyoming Highway Commission in 1917, at the same time the Wyoming Highway Department was formed. The original commission had five members that represented each of the five judicial districts in Wyoming. When two more districts were added in 1950, the commission gained two more members. The membership remains at seven, despite the addition of more judicial districts. The commissioners are appointed by the Governor with advice and consent from the State Senate.

Before 1991, the commission controlled all of the Highway Department’s budget, named a Superintendent and Chief Engineer. After reorganization in 1991 the agency’s name changed to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and expanded the agency’s duties. At the same time, the commission became the Transportation Commission of Wyoming, and their duties were altered as well. The administrative portion of the budget falls under legislative control, with the Governor appointing the director. The legislature kept control of the budgets for all the agencies within the department of transportation. Those agencies are- Aeronautics, the transportation portions of Revenue, Taxation, and the Public Safety Communications Commission, ports of entry, and Highway Patrol.