Brokers, Your Vetting Process Is About to Become Your Biggest Expense

A new federal bill could change how brokers vet carriers — and expose those without strong compliance systems to real financial and legal risk.

By Heesham Naji | December 23, 2025

A new bill could fundamentally change how brokers get paid — and who they’re willing to work with.

The Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act would impose a mandatory 10% surcharge on any contract with a carrier that has three or more DOT violations within five years.

It would also grant the FMCSA expanded authority to investigate brokers following fatal crashes.

This isn’t voluntary vetting anymore.

It’s federalized accountability with teeth.

For brokers, especially smaller firms without robust compliance and monitoring systems, this represents a material shift in risk. Vetting failures wouldn’t just expose reputational damage — they could directly impact margins, carrier relationships, and regulatory scrutiny.

If this legislation advances, carrier compliance tracking won’t be a best practice. It will be a financial necessity.