Steube, Taylor Introduce the GHOSTRUCK Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Dave Taylor (R-Ohio), Chairman of the Congressional Trucking Caucus and a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today introduced the Guarding Hours-of-Service Oversight and Stopping Tampering by Remote Unofficial Carrier Keeper or GHOSTRUCK Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows foreign-based dispatchers to manipulate Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records used to track commercial truck drivers' hours of service.

"Foreign dispatchers should not be able to manipulate trucking safety records from halfway around the world and put American lives at risk," said Rep. Greg Steube. "Reports have exposed how overseas actors are falsifying driver logs, overworking truckers beyond safe limits, and avoiding accountability when tragedies occur. The GHOSTRUCK Act closes this loophole and helps keep our roads safe."

"Beyond powering our nation's supply chain and economy, our nation's truck drivers share the road with American families, and there's nothing more important than ensuring everyone reaches their destinations safely," said Congressman Dave Taylor. "I am proud to join Rep. Steube in introducing the GHOSTRUCK Act to hold bad actors accountable for tampering with electronic logging devices, enhance accountability on the road, and ultimately make American roads safe again."

The GHOSTRUCK Act would require that any edits or annotations to an ELD record be made only by a carrier, dispatcher, or driver physically located in North America, while preserving the existing requirement that all edits remain subject to driver approval.

The legislation is supported by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Florida Trucking Association (FTA), Truckload Carriers Association (TCA),National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), and National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC).

"Roadway safety depends on consistent compliance with hours-of-service regulations, and preserving the integrity of electronic logging devices is central to that mission. Tampering with electronic logs is a growing problem that undermines enforcement, rewards bad actors, and puts the motoring public at risk. We appreciate Congressmen Steube and Taylor's attention to closing this loophole and strengthening accountability so these devices serve the safety purpose they were intended to fulfill." -Alex Rosen, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, American Trucking Associations (ATA)

"Florida Trucking Association supports legislation that reinforces accountability and transparency, and the GHOSTRUCK Act reflects those values. The safety of our drivers and the traveling public on America's roadways remains the trucking industry's top priority, and FTA will continue to support measures that uphold those standards." -Scott Perry, President & CEO, Florida Trucking Association

"OOIDA is proud to support Representative Steube and Taylor's GHOSTRUCK Act, which would prevent foreign nationals in places like Eastern Europe and Asia from altering the ELD records of American truckers. Importantly, the bill ensures that a driver has final approval for any edits suggested by their motor carrier. Together, these provisions will improve highway safety, reduce driver coercion and help combat freight fraud." -Todd Spencer, President and CEO, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

"Drivers, carriers, regulators, and enforcement officials must be able to trust that Hours-of-Service records accurately reflect a driver's duty status and are protected from unauthorized manipulation. Through its ongoing research into ELD security, compliance, and shared technology risks, NMFTA is working to strengthen transparency, accountability, and confidence in critical supply chain data. We appreciate Congressmen Steube and Taylor's leadership and commitment to addressing these important issues through the introduction of this legislation." -Debbie Sparks, Executive Director, National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)

"TCA has consistently stressed that we advocate for compliance with trucking's rules and regulations. The GHOSTRUCK Act represents a critical step toward the continued enforcement of roadway safety and ensuring that commercial vehicles operate with greater transparency and accountability. By limiting access to a driver's Hours-of-Service record and its annotations, this proposed legislation will stress the importance of accurate driver logs and those who are responsible for overseeing them. Supporting the GHOSTRUCK Act reflects a commitment to modernizing transportation safety standards and saving the lives of our professional drivers and those they share the road with." -Jim Mullen, President, Truckload Carriers Association.

"Safety is at the heart of everything we do at National Tank Truck Carriers, and the GHOSTRUCK Act strengthens the integrity of the Hours-of-Service system by ensuring that edits to Electronic Logging Device records are made only by authorized personnel physically located in North America and remain subject to driver approval. Accountability in driver records is essential to maintaining compliance, protecting drivers from undue pressure, and ensuring that commercial motor vehicles operate safely on our nation's highways. NTTC appreciates Representatives Steube and Taylor's leadership on this important issue and supports the advancement of the GHOSTRUCK Act." -Ryan Streblow, President & CEO, National Tank Truck Carriers

Background: Current law does not clearly prohibit foreign-based personnel from making edits or annotations to Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records used to track commercial drivers' Hours-of-Service. Recent reporting has highlighted how foreign-based dispatchers have manipulated driver logs to underpay and overwork drivers beyond safe hour maximums, creating serious safety concerns on American highways.

Electronic Logging Devices are required under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations to help ensure compliance with Hours-of-Service rules designed to prevent fatigued driving. While edits may be necessary to account for circumstances such as rest breaks or refueling stops, concerns have grown over foreign-based dispatchers altering records from overseas while remaining outside the reach of U.S. accountability measures.

If an American driver or dispatcher tampers with records that contribute to a fatal crash, they can face significant legal consequences, while foreign-based actors often avoid similar accountability.

Read the bill text here.