Bill > HR5337

This bill establishes a national standard for how entities that contract with motor carriers to transport goods can be considered reasonably prudent in selecting a carrier. Under the legislation, a covered entity (such as shippers, brokers, freight forwarders, and certain transportation intermediaries) would be deemed reasonable in selecting a motor carrier if, within 45 days before shipping, they verify that the carrier is properly registered, has minimum required insurance, and has been confirmed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as meeting all safety standards. The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop new regulations within one year for determining a motor carrier's fitness to operate, which must use all available data and provide a clear procedure for declaring a carrier unfit. Importantly, individual shippers are exempt from the detailed verification requirements and will be considered prudent simply by contracting with a covered motor carrier. The legislation explicitly does not override state laws related to drayage (local truck transportation of goods), and it excludes passenger motor carriers from its provisions. The bill aims to create a more standardized and transparent process for evaluating motor carrier safety and reducing potential liability for entities that contract transportation services.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5337/all-info