Two Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced legislation aimed at closing what they call a "dangerous loophole" that permits foreign-based dispatchers to alter Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records used to monitor commercial truck drivers' hours of service (HOS), according to a FreightWaves report.
The Guarding Hours-of-Service Oversight and Stopping Tampering by Remote Unofficial Carrier Keeper (GHOSTRUCK) Act was introduced by Reps. Greg Steube of Florida and Dave Taylor of Ohio—who chairs the Congressional Trucking Caucus and serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill specifically targets the ability of dispatchers outside the United States to edit or annotate ELD records, a practice not clearly prohibited under current law, according to the lawmakers' prepared statement.
The GHOSTRUCK Act: Closing a Dangerous Loophole
The lawmakers' statement links to a CBS News report that aired on 60 Minutes in April 2026, which featured a conversation between driver Daniel Sanchez and a dispatcher in Serbia. As described in the CBS report, after drivers had already logged 11 hours behind the wheel—the legal limit—"managers back in Serbia would illegally reset federally mandated time clocks to give drivers a fresh set of hours." The report quoted the dispatcher telling Sanchez, "we can fix your clock." Sanchez added, "By the push of a button, I guess, somehow somewhere they have control of the app where they can just reset your time. Just make it go away."
"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," Steube and Taylor said in their release. The GHOSTRUCK Act aims to close this gap by clearly prohibiting foreign personnel from making unauthorized changes to ELD records.
Industry Support and Key Quotes
Several major trucking associations have lined up in support of the GHOSTRUCK Act. Alex Rosen, senior vice president of legislative affairs at the American Trucking Associations (ATA), stated: "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."
Todd Spencer, president and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), said the group 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."
| Organization | Representative | Quote Summary |
|---|---|---|
| American Trucking Associations (ATA) | Alex Rosen | Tampering undermines enforcement and puts public at risk |
| Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) | Todd Spencer | Bill prevents foreign alteration and gives driver final approval |
Operational Implications for Carriers and Drivers
For freight forwarders, logistics managers, and trucking fleets, the GHOSTRUCK Act would introduce clearer accountability for ELD edits. Currently, dispatchers—even those based in Eastern Europe or Asia—can adjust drivers' logs, potentially allowing carriers to circumvent HOS rules. If enacted, the legislation would require that any edits be approved by the driver and prohibit foreign-based personnel from making changes. This would affect carriers that rely on overseas dispatching services, requiring them to adapt compliance processes. For shippers and 3PL operators, stricter log integrity could reduce the risk of partnering with carriers that engage in HOS fraud, but may also tighten capacity as illegal practices are curbed. The bill highlights ongoing concerns about "chameleon carriers"—companies that re-register under new names to hide safety violations—a topic also covered in the 60 Minutes segment.
Watch list: The GHOSTRUCK Act will need to pass committee hearings and floor votes in both chambers. Trucking stakeholders should monitor its progress as it moves through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on which Rep. Taylor serves. Enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violators have not yet been detailed in the bill text.
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