By Mike Reeves | ComplianceJournal.news
Representative Brad Knott introduced H.R. 8267, the Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in Transport Act — the SAFER in Transport Act — on April 20, 2026. The bill would empower FMCSA to enforce criminal penalties against freight fraud, a category of misconduct that has grown significantly as the freight brokerage market has expanded and enforcement mechanisms have not kept pace. A companion Senate bill was introduced by Senator Todd Young in February 2026.
The bill proposes three substantive mechanisms. First, it directs the DOT to establish a Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee to identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions. Second, it requires a Memorandum of Understanding between DOT and DOJ formalizing how the agencies coordinate on freight fraud cases — currently an informal and inconsistent process. Third, it calls for an MOU between FMCSA and Customs and Border Protection to improve enforcement of cabotage restrictions on foreign carriers operating illegally in the domestic market.
Freight fraud — which includes double brokering scams, fictitious pickup schemes, and identity theft targeting legitimate carrier authorities — has become a serious financial problem for shippers, legitimate carriers, and the broader supply chain. FMCSA currently lacks criminal enforcement authority, limiting its ability to address the most egregious actors. The American Trucking Associations, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, and C.H. Robinson are among the industry organizations backing the bill. Whether it moves through a full Congress remains to be seen, but its introduction with bipartisan co-sponsorship and significant industry backing gives it stronger prospects than most transportation-specific legislation in the current environment.
Source: CDL Life — Read the full story →