Transportation (Freight)

This bill exempts stinger-steered combinations transporting assembled highway vehicles from the requirement to display warning flags on projecting loads. It directly affects trucking companies that use this specific type of vehicle for moving vehicles like cars or buses. The legislation requires the Secretary of Transportation to update the relevant federal regulations to include this exemption without going through a formal public comment process.

The Diesel Prices Relief Act of 2026 eliminates the federal excise tax on diesel fuel for a period ending on January 1, 2027, directly affecting drivers and businesses that use diesel. To offset the lost revenue, the bill requires the Treasury Secretary to transfer money from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. The legislation also mandates that fuel producers and dealers pass these savings immediately to consumers and gives the Treasury authority to enforce this requirement.

The Protecting American Railroad Workers' Jobs Act of 2026 requires freight trains crossing the southern border into the United States to stop for crew changes and safety inspections. Under this bill, only railroad workers who are U.S. nationals or lawfully authorized aliens with a primary reporting point in the U.S. may operate these trains after the stop. The legislation also prohibits crew members from performing any duties while physically outside the United States. These provisions directly affect railroad carriers operating freight trains across the Mexico border and the workers employed on those trains.

The SAFER Transport Act aims to combat freight fraud and theft and enhance regulatory integrity for motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and commercial drivers. It phases out the use of MC numbers, mandating a unified USDOT number system with new provisions to detect fraudulent activity and withhold or revoke registrations for felony convictions or material misrepresentations. The bill also establishes an advisory committee and inter-agency coordination to address freight theft, while strengthening commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements for non-citizens and increasing oversight of

This bill increases the minimum insurance coverage required for commercial trucking companies from $750,000 to $5,000,000 per incident. It also establishes a five-year automatic adjustment mechanism to update these insurance requirements based on medical cost inflation. The changes directly affect motor carriers transporting property and aim to ensure carriers maintain adequate financial responsibility to cover potential crash damages. The new requirements will take effect one year after the bill is enacted.

This bill, titled the Railway Safety Act of 2026, establishes new safety requirements for trains carrying hazardous materials and strengthens emergency response capabilities. It directly affects Class I railroads, emergency response agencies, and communities near rail lines by mandating stricter tank car standards, limiting train speeds in urban areas, and requiring railroads to provide real-time information about hazardous materials shipments to first responders. Key provisions include phasing out older tank cars for flammable liquids by 2027, requiring two-person crews on freight trains, increasing penalties for safety violations, and creating a new emergency response assistance fund to help communities respond to hazardous materials incidents.

This bill, known as the SAFER Transport Act, aims to combat freight fraud and theft by amending federal transportation laws. It establishes a new advisory committee to gather input from various industry stakeholders on reducing fraud and theft, and requires the Department of Transportation and Department of Justice to create a memorandum of understanding for better coordination on these issues. The bill also mandates the phase-out of MC numbers in favor of USDOT numbers for registration, strengthens state licensing requirements for commercial drivers to verify work authorization, and introduces automated systems to flag suspicious registration activity. Additional provisions include stricter enforcement of cabotage laws, reimbursement for certain victims of freight theft, and new criminal penalties for submitting fraudulent certifications.

This bill amends U.S. Code to allow marine terminals to use Capital Construction Funds for purchasing or replacing U.S.-made cargo handling equipment (like cranes or loaders), or foreign-made equipment only if U.S. options are unavailable or unsuitable. It directly affects U.S. marine terminals operating at ports, enabling them to fund equipment upgrades with federal funds. Key provisions include banning purchases of Chinese-made cranes, prohibiting fully automated equipment that could cause job losses, and requiring the Secretary to annually publish U.S. equipment availability. The bill updates existing fund rules without creating new programs, focusing on domestic equipment use and job impact.

This bill imposes penalties on freight brokers who contract with carriers that have a history of safety violations. Specifically, brokers face a civil penalty equal to 10% of the contracted cargo's value if they work with a carrier (or employ a driver) that received three or more Department of Transportation violations in the past five years. Penalties collected go to the Highway Trust Fund and can be used for roadway safety projects. The bill also authorizes investigations into fatal crashes involving brokers' contracted carriers, allowing safety requirements to be added if brokers showed disregard for safety.

Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act This bill allows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess civil penalties against motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders for violations related to the interstate transportation of household goods and provides states with additional related authorities. As background, a broker is the “middle person” between a shipper and a motor carrier and arranges for the transportation of household goods. A freight forwarder organizes shipments for individuals or corporations. Unlike a broker, freight forwarders assume responsibility for transportation and may transport the freight itself. The bill expands the FMCSA registration requirements to require motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a principal place of business (i.e., a single physical location where management officials report to work, a significant portion of the transportation business is conducted, and records are maintained). FMCSA may withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke any part of a registration for failure to designate. In addition, brokers and freight forwarders must disclose any common ownership, management, control, or familial relationship with any other carrier, freight forwarder, broker, or applicant in the previous three years. Under current law, motor carriers must disclose this information. Further, states may use certain grant funds to enforce federal household goods statutes and regulations for the interstate transportation of these goods by motor carriers and brokers. This applies to Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant funds and MCSAP High Priority discretionary grant funds. A state shall retain collected fines that are a result of enforcement.