Lawmakers Target “Chameleon Carriers” with New SAFE Act

Highway safety and industry accountability are back in the spotlight following the introduction of new federal legislation aimed at cracking down on so-called “chameleon carriers” — trucking companies that shut down after enforcement action only to resurface under a new name and USDOT number.

On February 12, 2026, Harriet Hageman introduced the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act (HR7539) in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The bill seeks to strengthen oversight of motor carriers that attempt to evade federal penalties and enforcement actions by rebranding and reentering the market as new entities.

What Are Chameleon Carriers?

A chameleon carrier is a company that has been cited, fined, or shut down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and then reopens under a different business name and DOT number.  While the branding may change, the leadership, ownership, operational practices, and safety risks often remain the same.

These operators exploit gaps in registration and oversight systems, allowing unsafe practices to continue — sometimes with tragic consequences.  Beyond safety risks, chameleon carriers distort competition by undercutting compliant carriers who invest heavily in safety, insurance, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance.

What the SAFE Act Would Do

The SAFE Act would require FMCSA to:

  • Conduct a comprehensive study on the scope and prevalence of chameleon carriers.
  • Test an advanced automation tool designed to identify suspicious registration patterns.
  • Submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment detailing findings, including:
    • The frequency of chameleon carrier activity.
    • The estimated number of crashes and fatalities associated with these entities.
    • The effectiveness of automated detection tools in identifying bad actors during the registration process.

By focusing on the registration stage, the bill aims to prevent unsafe operators from reentering the system before they are able to put drivers and the public at risk again.

Industry Support Signals Urgency

The legislation has drawn support from major industry organizations representing both large fleets and independent drivers.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) endorsed the bill, emphasizing the damage chameleon carriers cause to small-business truckers who follow the rules. OOIDA leadership has argued that these bad actors undermine highway safety and erode the professionalism of the industry by repeatedly dodging enforcement.

Similarly, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) voiced strong support, describing chameleon carriers as a threat to motorists and compliant carriers alike.  State-level groups such as the Wyoming Trucking Association have also backed the measure, signaling broad industry alignment around the need for stronger safeguards.

Why This Matters for Shippers and Supply Chains

While this issue centers on regulatory enforcement, the ripple effects extend throughout the supply chain.

  • Safety risk: Carriers that evade enforcement are more likely to have poor maintenance, insufficient insurance coverage, or non-compliant safety practices.
  • Liability exposure: Shippers and brokers working unknowingly with chameleon carriers may face heightened legal and reputational risks.
  • Market instability: Operators avoiding compliance costs can artificially depress rates, creating unfair pricing pressure in already tight freight markets.

If implemented effectively, enhanced automation and earlier detection could help ensure that only legitimate, compliant carriers gain operating authority — strengthening both public safety and market integrity.

A Step Toward Accountability

The SAFE Act does not immediately change enforcement rules, but it represents a significant step toward understanding and addressing a long-standing vulnerability in the motor carrier registration system.  By requiring data collection, analysis, and technological testing, lawmakers are signaling that accountability gaps will no longer be ignored.

For compliant carriers, this effort reinforces the value of transparency, safety investment, and long-term operational integrity.  For the broader freight ecosystem, it underscores a simple truth: a safer industry is a stronger industry.

As the bill moves through Congress, stakeholders across trucking and logistics will be watching closely to see whether this initiative marks the beginning of a more robust defense against regulatory evasion on America’s highways.

 

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