Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act

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.