Ryan Witkowski
A new bill introduced targets foreign meddling with electronic logging device records. On Monday, June 22, U.S. Representatives Greg Steube, R-Fla., and Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, introduced the Guarding Hours-of-Service Oversight and Stopping Tampering by Remote Unofficial Carrier Keeper Act, HR9369. The bill seeks to reform the ELD system to prevent bad actors outside the country from exploiting drivers.
“Foreign dispatchers should not be able to manipulate trucking safety records from halfway around the world and put American lives at risk,” Steube said in a statement. “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.” Tabbed the GHOSTRUCK Act, the proposed bill would require that any edits to an ELD record be made by a carrier, dispatcher or driver physically located in North America. Additionally, the bill would keep the existing requirement that all edits are subject to driver approval.
According to the lawmakers, some foreign-based dispatchers exploit this regulatory loophole to remotely manipulate an ELD, enabling drivers to exceed federally mandated hours-of-service limits while remaining beyond the reach of U.S. enforcement authorities.
“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,” Taylor said. “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 proposed legislation is supported by multiple industry groups, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. The Association called the bill “commonsense legislation” and urged lawmakers to pass it quickly.
“OOIDA is proud to support Representative Greg Steube’s GHOSTRUCK Act, which would prevent foreign nationals in places like Eastern Europe and Asia from altering the ELD records of American truckers,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “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.”
The proposed legislation isn’t the only bit of recent ELD news that will impact truckers.
“There is no readily apparent benefit to continuing to require that the user’s manual be in the CMV given the use of ELDs since December 2019,” the agency said. “This final rule eliminates a regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety.”
The new regulation will go into effect on July 22.
