Wyoming Congresswoman Introduces Legislation to Combat Chameleon Carriers

This week, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman from Wyoming unveiled new legislation aimed at addressing the issue of chameleon carriers within the trucking sector.

On February 12, she introduced H.R.7539, known as the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act.

The SAFE Act aims to tackle the problem of “chameleon carriers”—trucking firms that shut down and restart under a different name to evade regulatory scrutiny or penalties.

The proposed bill mandates that the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) carry out a study on chameleon carriers operating in the United States.

Furthermore, the FMCSA would need to “develop and test an advanced automation tool to assist enforcement staff in identifying chameleon carrier applications during the Department of Transportation’s registration process.”

The SAFE Act would also establish an appeals process for trucking companies whose registration applications are denied. Rep. Hageman stated, “These businesses exploit the system, disregard the law, and jeopardize American families, while penalizing diligent truckers who adhere to regulations. If a trucking company accumulates violations or loses its license, it shouldn’t simply rebrand to return to the road. My bill aims to close dangerous loopholes and hold wrongdoers accountable.”

Support for the bill comes from several organizations, including the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and the Wyoming Trucking Association. Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA, commented, “Chameleon carriers have undermined highway safety in America and hurt the professionalism of the trucking industry by evading penalties and reopening under new names. Representative Hageman’s SAFE Act takes strong action to detect and eliminate these bad actors at the registration stage, and OOIDA praises her leadership in restoring accountability for law-abiding small-business truckers and ensuring public safety.”

Kevin Hawley, President and CEO of the Wyoming Trucking Association, noted, “Wyoming trucking firms adhere to the rules, invest in safety, and bear the costs when bad actors avoid accountability. The SAFE Act is a practical measure to prevent chameleon carriers from resurfacing under new identities after significant safety violations or enforcement actions. This bill helps level the playing field for responsible carriers while enhancing safety for everyone.”

The bill has been sent to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further consideration.