Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act

This legislation introduces a new civil penalty for freight brokers who contract with transportation companies that have a history of safety violations. Specifically, a broker faces a penalty equal to 10 percent of the value of the contracted cargo if they engage a "specified transportation company," defined as one with three or more Department of Transportation violations or employing a driver with three or more such violations within a five-year period. Penalties collected will be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund for roadway safety projects, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is authorized to investigate freight brokers following a fatal crash involving a contracted company. If an investigation reveals that the broker acted with egregious disregard for safety , the FMCSA Administrator may impose additional operating requirements on that broker.