A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SAFER Transport Act aims to amend title 49 of the United States Code to combat freight fraud and theft. It establishes a Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee to gather input from various industry stakeholders. The bill transitions motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders from using MC numbers to USDOT numbers. It also strengthens state requirements for commercial driver's licenses to ensure drivers are authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, the Act implements automated systems to flag suspicious registration activity and enhances enforcement of cabotage laws.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Enhanced fraud detection and registration requirements provide better security for the movement of goods.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Increased enforcement against fraud protects legitimate business owners from theft and unfair competition.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill aims to reduce freight fraud and theft, which can protect small motor carriers from illegal competition.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill implements stricter verification of work authorization for commercial driver's license applicants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Industry Input: The creation of the Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee allows stakeholders, including motor carriers, railroads, and law enforcement, to provide input on reducing fraud and theft (Section 3).
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Improved Information Sharing: A memorandum of understanding between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice will require the Department to notify officials of identified fraud or theft (Section 4).
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Enhanced Driver Verification: States issuing commercial licenses must confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States (Section 6).
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Fraud Detection: The implementation of automated systems will help flag suspicious activity, such as unusual registration patterns or duplicate business identifiers (Section 8).
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Victim Reimbursement: The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection will reimburse victims of cargo theft for certain fines paid regarding unsealed containers (Section 10).
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Stricter Penalties for Fraud: Criminal penalties are established for those who knowingly use fraudulent certifications to engage in unlawful transportation (Section 11).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Registration Restrictions: The Secretary is prohibited from issuing or renewing MC numbers during a 5-year period while transitioning to the USDOT number system (Section 5).
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Withholding of Registration: The Secretary may withhold registration from employers or persons convicted of a covered felony related to motor carrier operations (Section 5).
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Removal of Training Providers: The Secretary may remove a training provider from the registry if they fail to disclose certain relationships or if they are no longer in business (Section 7).
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Suspension of Registration: The Administrator has the authority to temporarily suspend the registration of a "flagged user" during a review of suspicious activity (Section 8).
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Restrictions on Foreign Carriers: Certain motor carriers domiciled in Mexico or Canada are prohibited from transporting domestic cargo from one point within the United States to another (Section 9).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Enhanced fraud detection and registration requirements provide better security for the movement of goods. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill aims to reduce freight fraud and theft, which can protect small motor carriers from illegal competition.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Increased enforcement against fraud protects legitimate business owners from theft and unfair competition. Would union members be better off under this? — Stronger enforcement of work authorization and cabotage laws may provide more stability for legal drivers. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill implements stricter verification of work authorization for commercial driver's license applicants.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The creation of a public registry and automated systems increases oversight of the transportation industry.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill enhances enforcement of cabotage laws regarding foreign carriers and unauthorized drivers.
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.