SAFE Act
Latest action (28 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The SAFE Act targets "chameleon carriers"—trucking companies, brokers, or freight forwarders that reorganize under new names or affiliated entities to dodge safety orders, penalties, enforcement actions, or higher insurance costs after a negative compliance history. The bill directs the Comptroller General to study how widespread this practice is, its history since a 2012 GAO report, associated deaths, injuries, and property damage, and the methods carriers use to evade detection. It also requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to build and test an automated tool that flags suspicious registration applications for USDOT numbers based on factors like shared ownership, addresses, equipment, or insurance history, while keeping final decisions with human staff.
The bill primarily affects motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and intermodal equipment providers seeking or renewing federal registration, as well as FMCSA staff who process applications. It also involves other federal agencies (Treasury, DOJ, DHS, Commerce, State, USPS) and state agencies, which would share data with FMCSA under new information-sharing agreements. Applicants denied a USDOT number based on the tool's flags would receive notice of the reasons and a chance to correct and appeal within set timeframes.
The bill was introduced by Senator Todd Young on July 28, 2026, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 28, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5150 do?
- The SAFE Act targets "chameleon carriers"—trucking companies, brokers, or freight forwarders that reorganize under new names or affiliated entities to dodge safety orders, penalties, enforcement actions, or higher insurance costs after a negative compliance history. The bill directs the Comptroller General to study how widespread this practice is, its history since a 2012 GAO report, associated deaths, injuries, and property damage, and the methods carriers use to evade detection. It also requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to build and test an automated tool that flags suspicious registration applications for USDOT numbers based on factors like shared ownership, addresses, equipment, or insurance history, while keeping final decisions with human staff. The bill primarily affects motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and intermodal equipment providers seeking or renewing federal registration, as well as FMCSA staff who process applications. It also involves other federal agencies (Treasury, DOJ, DHS, Commerce, State, USPS) and state agencies, which would share data with FMCSA under new information-sharing agreements. Applicants denied a USDOT number based on the tool's flags would receive notice of the reasons and a chance to correct and appeal within set timeframes. The bill was introduced by Senator Todd Young on July 28, 2026, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law before taking effect.
- Has S. 5150 become law?
- Not yet. As of 28 Jul 2026, S. 5150 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5150?
- S. 5150 was sponsored by Sen. Todd Young [R-IN] (Republican-IN), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 5150?
- Introduced (28 Jul 2026).
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