Diana Stinson on Freight Broker Safety Act

GDP grew 4.3% in Q3, and it was ‘healthier’ growth

The Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act: Good hearts, Bad outcomes

By: Matthew Leffler December 30, 2025

Key Takeaways:

The proposed “Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act” seeks to penalize freight brokers who contract with trucking companies or drivers accumulating three or more DOT violations in five years, with fines funding road safety projects and allowing FMCSA investigation for “egregious disregard for safety.”
While well-intentioned to reduce the high number of large-truck crash fatalities and hold brokers accountable for prioritizing safety over cost and speed, the author argues the bill’s practical implementation is deeply flawed.
Criticisms include the bill’s vague definition of “DOT violations” (treating minor errors like serious ones), the impractical and burdensome vetting requirements it places on brokers, potential economic disruption leading to higher shipping costs, and its limited ability to address the root causes of accidents effectively.

Good morning, Diana Stinson with Texas Global Services again and as always, thank you so much for reading my blog. This article about the Freight Broker Safety Act is spot on. Yes, that sounds like a great way to control the quality of drivers on the road and reduce deadly accidents with 30 tons of cargo. No, it is not feasible. This will add an extreme amount to the cost of shipping. This will create a driver shortage.

The industry is already operating with many trucking companies gone and just had a great retail season. This is too much. The government getting involved just to pass the buck and hit companies with fines after tanking the trade. They issue the licenses. Placing truck brokers in charge of safety sounds irresponsible at best. Great opportunity for the government to save money and generate income at the same time. Then complain when it is time to move freight and it’s a 3 month wait for everyone’s container.

The infrastructure is partially gone due to 2020 and 2022. You can’t just turn the shipping back on. Those companies, trucks and drivers are gone. The freight forwarders, the warehouses and packing companies. This industry has been turned on it’s head twice in the last five years.

Even though the broker is trying to make money and efficiency is key in slim margins. This act translates to abuse in my mind. Although, it is for safety of the public, perhaps it’s the government that is in charge of safety guidelines and implementation, not truck brokers. Their job is to move freight.

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