The Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act: Good Hearts, Bad Outcomes
By fining freight brokers and directing money toward safety upgrades, the Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act aims to deter risky load decisions and reduce preventable crashes. The basic idea is straightforward: if a broker hires a questionable carrier or driver arrangement, the broker could face financial consequences.
Supporters of the measure argue it is designed to protect families from preventable harm by putting more responsibility on the parties arranging freight moves—not just the people behind the wheel. In practical terms for drivers, it signals an effort to push the market away from “bad deals” that can put unsafe equipment or unsafe operations on the road.
The broader context is the ongoing debate over who should be held accountable when freight moves are arranged through multiple layers of companies. Brokers play a central role in matching freight to capacity, and the act’s approach ties that role more directly to safety outcomes through penalties and funding for safety improvements.
At its core, the proposal reflects a policy shift: not only encouraging safer choices, but trying to enforce them financially. Whether that balance leads to better results on the highway or creates unintended consequences is part of why the act is drawing attention.