A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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 Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement Act, or the "SAFE Act," targets "chameleon carriers" that use new identities to evade regulations or insurance requirements. The bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study to examine the prevalence and impact of these carriers on United States roadways. Additionally, it mandates that the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration develop and implement an advanced automation tool. This tool is designed to help enforcement personnel detect chameleon carrier applications during the USDOT number registration process. The Act also establishes an appeals process for individuals denied a USDOT number based on the tool's findings. Finally, it requires an audit to determine the effectiveness of the new automation tool.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
By targeting unsafe 'chameleon carriers,' the bill indirectly improves the safety of highway infrastructure and public roadways.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?
The regulation of motor carriers promotes fairer and safer interstate commerce by targeting fraudulent entities.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands the investigative and automated enforcement capabilities of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Legitimate motor carriers may face increased scrutiny or potential errors from the new automation tool.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Roadway Safety: The bill seeks to identify and mitigate "chameleon carriers" which, according to the study requirements, may be linked to fatalities, serious bodily injuries, and property damage (Section 3(b)(3)-(5)).
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Enhanced Detection of Evaders: The development of an advanced automation tool is intended to help personnel detect entities attempting to avoid Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration orders, regulatory requirements, or negative compliance histories (Section 2(3)(A) and Section 4(a)).
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Improved Insurance Oversight: The tool will be able to detect lapses in insurance coverage and identify entities attempting to evade increased premiums or policy cancellations through new identities (Section 2(3)(B) and Section 4(c)(1)-(2)).
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Standardized Oversight: By requiring a study of the methods used by these carriers, the bill aims to identify shortcomings in the current Department of Transportation monitoring and enforcement capabilities (Section 3(b)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Incorrect Denials: While the tool provides automated decision support, it carries the possibility of errors, necessitating a required appeals process for those denied a USDOT number (Section 4(c)(4) and Section 4(d)(1)).
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Administrative Burdens for Applicants: Individuals denied a USDOT number due to a flag from the tool must follow a specific notification and correction process to seek redetermination (Section 4(d)(2)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The regulation of motor carriers promotes fairer and safer interstate commerce by targeting fraudulent entities. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill establishes an appeals process for those denied USDOT numbers due to automated flags. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the investigative and automated enforcement capabilities of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires reports to Congress regarding the prevalence of chameleon carriers and the effectiveness of new tools.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — By targeting unsafe 'chameleon carriers,' the bill indirectly improves the safety of highway infrastructure and public roadways.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill improves safety standards for the freight industry, which indirectly protects consumers and shippers.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Legitimate motor carriers may face increased scrutiny or potential errors from the new automation tool.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes provisions to ensure that data used by the new automation tool is not disclosed for unauthorized purposes.
- 7/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey