SAFER Transport Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8267
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:07:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SAFER Transport Act (H.R. 8267) aims to reduce freight fraud and theft in the U.S. transportation system by strengthening registration processes, enhancing enforcement, improving coordination between agencies, and imposing new penalties. It targets vulnerabilities in motor carrier, broker, and freight operations under title 49 of the U.S. Code.
Key Provisions
- Advisory Committee: Establishes the Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee within 60 days, including stakeholders like carriers, brokers, shippers, railroads, ports, and law enforcement. It provides recommendations to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and sunsets after submitting a report within 2 years.
- Interagency Coordination: Requires a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between DOT and the Department of Justice (DOJ) within 180 days for sharing freight fraud/theft information.
- Registration System Overhaul:
- Phases out MC numbers (old motor carrier identifiers) over 5 years, mandating exclusive use of USDOT numbers (unique DOT identifiers).
- Requires USDOT numbers for brokers and freight forwarders to register.
- Withholds or revokes registration for those convicted of covered felonies (e.g., transport-related theft, fraud, smuggling, or immigration/labor violations).
- Mandates notification of ownership changes within 30 days.
- Driver Licensing: States issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to non-citizens/permanent residents must verify work authorization, share data with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and align license expiration with work authorization. States must submit monthly CDL reports.
- Training Provider Registry: Enhances FMCSA's registry with audits, state involvement, removal for nondisclosure of ties to fraudulent providers, expedited state removals, principal place of business requirements, and 180-day complaint resolution.
- Fraud Detection: Implements automated systems within 1 year to flag suspicious registration activity (e.g., unusual patterns). Allows temporary suspensions, audits, and removals for fraud; issues guidance to carriers/brokers.
- Cabotage Enforcement: Strengthens bans on foreign (Canada/Mexico-domiciled) carriers and unauthorized immigrant drivers providing point-to-point domestic transport. Requires MOU with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Reimbursements and Penalties:
- CBP reimburses victims of cargo theft for certain seal-related fines.
- New criminal penalties: Up to 5 years imprisonment and fines for submitting fraudulent certifications (false statements) to operate in interstate transport.
- Foreign Dispatch Services: Defines and requires registration as brokers if they coordinate U.S. freight from abroad.
- Other: Updates broker definition (excludes pure financial services); requires records at principal business locations; completes Unified Carrier Registration System within 1 year.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Phases out MC numbers entirely, consolidating to USDOT numbers (amends 49 U.S.C. §§ 13902, 13903, 13904, 31132, 31134).
- Adds "covered felony" definition and grounds for registration denial/revocation (49 U.S.C. § 31132).
- Codifies cabotage prohibitions explicitly for foreign carriers/drivers (new 49 U.S.C. §§ 13902(k)-(l)).
- Expands broker definition to include solicitation/advertising for transport services; prohibits unregistered brokerage (49 U.S.C. §§ 13102, 14916).
- Requires work authorization checks for non-citizen CDL holders and monthly state reporting (49 U.S.C. § 31311).
- Imposes new criminal liability for fraudulent submissions tied to operations (new section).
- Multiple conforming amendments to definitions and references across title 49.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for FMCSA/DOT (e.g., system upgrades, audits, reviews); enhances coordination with DOJ, CBP, states; completes stalled registration system.
- Citizens/Businesses: Reduces fraud/theft risks for shippers, carriers, and insurers; protects legitimate operators from double-brokering or fake entities; may raise compliance costs but improve supply chain reliability.
- International Relations: Restricts Canadian/Mexican carriers from domestic hauls and unauthorized drivers, potentially straining cross-border trade under USMCA; requires regulatory updates.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Transportation Industry: Motor carriers (including owner-operators), brokers, freight forwarders, shippers, railroads, ports, marine operators, aviation, training providers.
- Government: DOT/FMCSA, DOJ, CBP, states (licensing/reporting), Congress (oversight committees).
- Others: Drivers (legal work requirements), law enforcement, insurance companies, victims of theft/fraud.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Introduces civil/administrative tools (suspensions, revocations) and criminal penalties (fines/imprisonment) for fraud; emphasizes due process (notice/hearings for revocations).
- Constitutional: Work authorization checks for CDLs may intersect with immigration enforcement; cabotage rules reinforce federal commerce authority without apparent preemption issues.
- Political: Prioritizes supply chain security amid rising cargo theft; advisory input ensures industry buy-in; no major funding mandates, relying on existing authorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 2026-04-14: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-14: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-14: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-14: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in Transport Act — issued 2026-04-14 — PDF (35 pages)