Bill · H.R. 6884· House(119-HR-6884)
Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act
- Introduced
- 12/18/2025
- Last activity
- 12/18/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Sponsored by
- John Moolenaar
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act aims to amend title 49 of the United States Code. It seeks to establish penalties for freight brokers who contract with unsafe carriers. A specified transportation company is defined as one with three or more Department of Transportation violations, or one that employs a driver with three or more such violations, within a five-year period. Brokers found in violation would face a civil penalty equal to 10 percent of the value of the contracted cargo. Additionally, the bill allows for investigations into brokers following fatal crashes involving their contracted companies.
Yes
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+4
The bill increases accountability for brokers to ensure they do not contract with unsafe carriers.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+3
The bill allows for the use of penalty funds for infrastructure projects that increase roadway safety.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
Freight brokers face significant civil penalties of 10 percent of cargo value for contracting with specified transportation companies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Roadway Safety: The Secretary may use penalty funds for projects or infrastructure that increase roadway safety (Section 2(a)(c)).
-
Accountability for Brokers: The bill establishes civil penalties for brokers who contract with specified transportation companies that have multiple Department of Transportation violations (Section 2(a)).
-
Investigation of Fatal Crashes: The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is authorized to investigate a freight broker following a fatal crash by a contracted company (Section 2(a)).
-
New Operating Requirements: If an investigation finds a broker acted with egregious disregard for safety, the Administrator can establish additional operating requirements (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Penalties for Brokers: Any broker that contracts with a specified transportation company is liable to the United States for a civil penalty equal to 10 percent of the value of the contracted cargo for the entire contract (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+3
- 12/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House