,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hgii ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #ac1 #bjbf,ms4 ,perez 7for herself and ,mr4 ,taylor7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure ,a ,,bill ,to establish certain requirements for any communications by a private entity regarding ,united ,states ,department of ,transportation numbers1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,stop ,scamming ,truckers ,act4 #b4 ,,usdot number communication 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,the ,federal ,motor ,carrier ,safety ,administration1 an agency within the ,department of ,transportation1 administers the registration and issuance of ,united ,states ,department of ,transportation numbers 7in this section referred to as ,,usdot numbers74 7#b7 ,private entities frequently communicate with motor carriers and prospective motor carriers regarding ,,usdot number registration1 renewal1 updating1 or compliance4 7#c7 ,some such communications are presented in a manner that may reasonably cause recipients to believe the sender is a ,federal agency or acting on behalf of the ,united ,states ,government4 7#d7 ,misleading communications regarding ,,usdot number registration impose unnecessary costs on motor carriers1 particularly small businesses and owner-operators4 7b7 ,required disclosure 7#a7 ,in general ,any covered entity that transmits a ,,usdot number communication shall include1 in a legible font1 the following disclosure3 ,this communication is from a private company4 ,we are not the ,federal ,motor ,carrier ,safety ,administration1 the ,department of ,transportation1 or any other ,federal ,government agency1 and we are not affiliated with the ,united ,states ,government4 4 7#b7 ,placement ,the disclosure required under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 appear on the first page of any printed communication2 7,b7 appear without the need to scroll in any electronic or digital communication2 and 7,c7 not be obscured1 minimized1 contradicted1 or qualified by any other statement or design element4 7#c7 ,prohibited representations ,a covered entity may not-- 7,a7 use any name1 seal1 logo1 insignia1 or trade dress that would reasonably imply affiliation with ,,fmcsa or the ,department of ,transportation2 or 7,b7 ,state or imply that payment to the covered entity is required to obtain or maintain a ,,usdot number4 7c7 ,private right of action 7#a7 ,in general ,any person who receives a ,,usdot number communication that violates this ,act may bring a civil action in an appropriate ,united ,states district court4 7#b7 ,damages ,in an action brought under this subsection1 a court may award-- 7,a7 actual damages1 including any amounts paid to the covered entity2 7,b7 statutory damages of not less than #ejj and not more than #e1jjj per violation1 per communication2 7,c7 injunctive or declaratory relief2 and 7,d7 reasonable attorneys' fees and costs4 7#c7 ,burden of proof ,a plaintiff shall not be required to prove actual reliance1 intent to deceive1 or actual confusion to prevail under this section4 7#d7 ,statute of limitations ,the statute of limitations for an action brought under this subsection shall be #e years4 7d7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act may be construed to limit-- 7#a7 enforcement authority of the ,federal ,motor ,carrier ,safety ,administration or the ,department of ,transportation2 or 7#b7 any ,state law or regulation that provides equal or greater protection against deceptive practices4 7e7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,,usdot number communication ,the term ,,usdot number communication means any written1 electronic1 or digital communication that references-- 7,a7 the registration1 issuance1 renewal1 updating1 or maintenance of a ,,usdot number2 or 7,b7 compliance with ,federal motor carrier registration or identification requirements administered by the ,federal ,motor ,carrier ,safety ,administration4 7#b7 ,covered entity ,the term covered entity means any person1 partnership1 corporation1 association1 or other legal entity1 other than a ,federal1 ,state1 or local government agency1 that transmits a ,,usdot number communication in the course of commerce4 7#c7 ,legible font ,the term legible font means a font size1 style1 and color that is easily readable by a reasonable person1 and in no event smaller than-- 7,a7 #ab-point font in printed communications2 or 7,b7 the predominant font size used in the body text of the communication for electronic or digital communications4