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Knott Introduces SAFER Transport Act to Curb Freight Crime
House Bill Targets Fraudulent Carriers, Identifies Enforcement Gaps
Key Takeaways:
- The SAFER Transport Act would create a Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee within the Department of Transportation.
- The bill calls for formal information-sharing procedures between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice.
- Industry groups say cargo theft is a growing financial and public safety threat to freight operations.
A House lawmaker has introduced legislation to curb rising cargo theft and strengthen federal safeguards against fraudulent motor carriers.
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Knott
Rep. Brad Knott (R‑N.C.), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on April 20 unveiled the Securing American Freight, Enforcement and Reliability Transport Act. The measure responds to increased criminal activity across the freight sector and concerns that outdated enforcement systems are being exploited by alleged bad actors.
“For too long, criminals and bad actors have exploited weak enforcement and outdated systems to target our freight network,” Knott said in announcing the bill.
The SAFER Transport Act would direct the Department of Transportation to establish a Freight Fraud and Theft Advisory Committee to identify industrywide vulnerabilities and recommend solutions. It also would require DOT and the Department of Justice to formalize how the agencies share and handle information related to freight fraud investigations.
Supporters say the changes would strengthen federal oversight, increase penalties for fraudulent certifications and close regulatory loopholes linked to foreign dispatch services.
The bill has been referred to committee for consideration.
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Young
Companion legislation was introduced earlier this year by Sen. Todd Young (R‑Ind.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines and Safety. Young said the legislation is intended to improve supply chain reliability and address crime affecting freight movement nationwide.
“The SAFER Transport Act takes important steps to strengthen our transportation infrastructure, combat crime that is hurting U.S. consumers and businesses,” he said.
Cargo theft — often carried out by sophisticated domestic and international criminal organizations — has increasingly disrupted freight operations. The practice costs the trucking industry more than $18 million per day, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
American Trucking Associations is among the groups backing the House and Senate measures. ATA President Chris Spear said the SAFER Transport Act would help modernize oversight, root out so‑called chameleon carriers and strengthen penalties tied to large‑scale fraud and cargo theft.
“We applaud Rep. Knott’s leadership to protect hardworking truckers and small businesses that are not equipped to fight large-scale fraud on their own,” said Spear.
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Burroughs
The Transportation Intermediaries Association also endorsed the legislation. TIA President Chris Burroughs said the bill would improve motor carrier registration standards, enhance coordination between DOT and DOJ, limit foreign dispatch operations and hold fraudulent operators accountable.
Cargo theft has been a recurring focus for congressional policymakers during the Trump administration, with lawmakers and industry groups pressing for broader coordination among federal agencies.
Recently, members of ATA’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board urged Congress to advance the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would establish a multiagency unit to investigate and disrupt organized theft networks affecting the supply chain.
ATA in Congress: Cargo Theft & CORCA Explained
This holiday season, organized crime rings are targeting the supply chains that deliver our gifts and groceries. At a @JudiciaryGOP @HouseJudiciary Subcommittee hearing, ATA President & CEO Chris Spear called on Congress to… pic.twitter.com/WLn3OaBvSL — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) December 29, 2025
In a letter to congressional leaders, the advisory board warned that cargo theft presents risks beyond financial losses.
“Cargo theft is not merely a property crime — it is a growing public safety threat that endangers drivers, law enforcement personnel and the traveling public,” the group wrote.
