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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10620 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10620
To amend title 49, United States Code, to strengthen commercial motor
vehicle safety and accountability requirements, prevent the operation
of chameleon carriers, improve English language proficiency
requirements, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 28, 2026
Mr. Gill of Texas (for himself, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Williams of
Texas, and Mr. Self) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to strengthen commercial motor
vehicle safety and accountability requirements, prevent the operation
of chameleon carriers, improve English language proficiency
requirements, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Trucking Safety and Accountability
Act of 2026'' or ``Barron's Law''.
SEC. 2. FOREIGN DRIVER AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE.
(a) Lawful Immigration Status Verification.--Section 31308(1) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of
the United States, or otherwise be authorized under
Federal law to engage in employment in the United
States that includes driving a commercial motor
vehicle;''.
(b) Requirements for State Participation.--Section 31311(a) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(26) The State may issue a commercial driver's license or
commercial learner's permit to an individual only if the
individual meets the immigration and employment authorization
requirements established under section 31308(1)(C).''.
(c) Integrated Immigration Status Verification.--Section 31309(b)
of title 49, United States Code is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) an indicator of whether the operator
satisfies the immigration and employment authorization
requirements applicable under section 31308(1)(C).'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Storage of immigration records.--Underlying documents
related to the indicator required under paragraph (1)(G),
including immigration records or documents, may not be stored
in the information system.''.
(d) Implementation.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination
with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish a process to
accurately maintain, on the commercial driver's license information
system, the indicator relating to immigration and employment
authorization requirements required by section 31309(b)(1)(G) of title
49, United States Code.
(e) Disqualification.--Section 31310 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Immigration and Employment-Authorization Requirements.--The
Secretary shall issue regulations providing for the disqualification
from operating a commercial motor vehicle, for a period of time to be
determined by the Secretary, an individual who fails to satisfy the
immigration and employment authorization requirements established under
section 31308(1)(C).''.
SEC. 3. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ENFORCEMENT.
(a) State Program Requirement.--Section 31311 of title 49, United
States Code, as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(27) Before a commercial driver's license or commercial
learner's permit is issued or renewed, the State shall require
each applicant to pass one or more standardized English
language proficiency assessments established and approved by
the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration that--
``(A) evaluate an applicant's ability to read and
understand English sufficiently to safely operate a
commercial motor vehicle, including the ability to--
``(i) read and understand road signs and
safety instructions;
``(ii) understand and respond to spoken
instructions and emergency communications; and
``(iii) complete driver logs, reports, and
other required documentation; and
``(B) contains--
``(i) a minimum passing standard
appropriate to the safe operation of a
commercial motor vehicle; and
``(ii) reasonable procedures consistent
with applicable Federal law for applicants who
use American Sign Language.''.
(b) State Reporting.--Each State shall provide to the Administrator
of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration aggregate and
compliance information concerning English language proficiency testing
as the Administrator determines necessary to administer and enforce the
amendments made by this section.
SEC. 4. PREVENTION OF CHAMELEON CARRIERS.
(a) Registration of Motor Carriers.--Section 13902(a) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(C) by inserting ``, under penalty of
perjury,'' after ``has disclosed''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Common ownership relationship.--
``(A) Considerations for relationship disclosure.--
In determining whether a person has disclosed a
relationship under paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary may
only consider a familial relationship to be relevant
when accompanied by facts indicating common ownership,
management, control, operation, or financing between
the person and other applicant.
``(B) Chameleon carrier.--The Secretary shall deny
registration to an applicant if the Secretary
determines that the applicant is a chameleon carrier
whose registration was revoked during the 3-year period
preceding the date of the filing of the application for
registration.
``(C) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the
requirement under paragraph (1)(C) upon a finding that
the applicant is a bona fide independent entity and is
not being used to evade a Federal safety requirement.
``(D) Registration system updates.--The Secretary
shall update Department of Transportation registration
systems to collect such unique identifying information
as is reasonably necessary to identify chameleon
carriers and prevent evasion of registration sanctions.
``(E) Chameleon carrier defined.--In this
paragraph, the term `chameleon carrier' means a motor
carrier, intermodal equipment provider, broker, or
freight forwarder, or an officer, employee, agent,
authorized representative, or other affiliated party of
such an entity, that has, directly or indirectly,
operated or attempted to operate a motor carrier,
intermodal equipment provider, broker, or freight
forwarder under a new identity or as an affiliated
entity to--
``(i) avoid complying with a Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration order;
``(ii) avoid complying with a statutory or
regulatory requirement;
``(iii) avoid paying a civil penalty;
``(iv) avoid responding to an enforcement
action;
``(v) avoid being linked with a negative
compliance history;
``(vi) avoid or evade increased insurance
premiums, policy cancellations, or underwriting
restrictions by obtaining or attempting to
obtain insurance coverage under a new or
materially different identity, ownership
structure, or corporate form;
``(vii) misrepresent ownership, control,
management, or operational continuity to an
insurer, broker, or underwriter for the purpose
of securing lower insurance rates or favorable
coverage terms; or
``(viii) reincorporate, re-register, or
otherwise reconstitute a carrier entity
following the denial, nonrenewal, or
cancellation of an insurance policy due to
safety, claims, or compliance history.''.
(b) Knowing Evasion Federal Motor Carrier Safety Sanctions.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 149 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 14917. Knowing evasion of Federal motor carrier safety sanctions
``Any person who knowingly makes a materially false statement or
conceals a material relationship under section 13902(a)(1)(C), or uses
a successor or affiliated entity for the purpose of evading a
registration revocation or other Federal motor carrier safety sanction,
shall, notwithstanding section 3571 of title 18, United States Code, be
fined not more than $25,000 for each violation of this section, or
imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 149 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``14917. Knowing evasion of Federal motor carrier safety sanctions.''.
SEC. 5. ENHANCED FMCSA PENALTIES.
Section 521(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding the following:
``(16) Penalty for Knowingly Using an Ineligible Operator.--Any
motor carrier who is determined by the Secretary, after notice and
opportunity for a hearing, to have knowingly employed, or contracted
with, an operator who is ineligible to operate a commercial motor
vehicle under applicable Federal law shall be liable to the United
States for a civil penalty of--
``(A) not less than $25,000 for each offense; or
``(B) if such knowing employment or contracting results in
serious injury or death, not less than $100,000.''.
SEC. 6. CABOTAGE ENFORCEMENT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 31318. Cabotage enforcement
``(a) Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--A foreign motor carrier or a foreign
motor private carrier (as such terms are defined in section
13102 of title 49, United States Code) or a driver operating
pursuant to authority permitting international transportation
may not engage in domestic point-to-point transportation within
the United States except to the extent expressly authorized by
Federal law.
``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to prohibit transportation that is
incidental to lawful international commerce and permitted under
applicable Federal law.
``(b) Civil Penalty.--A person that knowingly violates subsection
(a) shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per vehicle
for each day on which a violation occurs.
``(c) Procedures.--The Secretary of Transportation, in coordination
with the Secretary of Homeland Security and in consultation with State
highway authorities, shall establish procedures for cabotage
enforcement, including referrals to the Department of Homeland Security
for suspected immigration or visa violations and issuance of
appropriate out-of-service orders.
``(d) State Cooperation.--
``(1) In general.--Each State shall cooperate with the
Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Homeland
Security in the enforcement of this section, including by--
``(A) conducting or cooperating with appropriate
inspections;
``(B) reporting suspected violations;
``(C) providing access to inspection facilities as
authorized by law; and
``(D) maintaining enforcement records.
``(2) Withholding of funds for noncompliance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation
shall withhold 10 percent of the amount required to be
apportioned to any State under paragraphs (1) and (2)
of section 104(b) of title 23, United States Code, on
the first day of each fiscal year after the first
fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of
this section for which the Secretary determines, after
notice and an opportunity to cure, that the State is
not in compliance with the requirements of paragraph
(1).
``(B) Effect of withholding.--Amounts withheld from
a State under this paragraph shall remain available for
apportionment to the State for a period prescribed by
the Secretary of Transportation and shall be
apportioned to the State upon a determination that the
State has returned to substantial compliance with such
requirements.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 313 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``31318. Cabotage enforcement.''.
(c) Cabotage Tracking Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in
coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, shall
establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of electronic
logging, GPS, geofencing, and other commercially and
operationally feasible technologies at one or more high-volume
land ports of entry to identify unlawful domestic point-to-
point transportation by foreign-domiciled motor carriers.
(2) Implementation.--The pilot program established under
paragraph (1) shall be implemented on a schedule determined
practicable by the Secretaries and shall include appropriate
safeguards for data security and privacy.
(3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and
the Secretary of Transportation shall jointly submit to
Congress a report on the effectiveness, cost, operational
feasibility, and recommended scope of any potential broader
deployment of the pilot program established under paragraph
(1).
(4) Termination.--The pilot program established under
paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date on which the
Secretaries submit the report required under paragraph (3).
(d) Cross-Border Data Sharing.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of
State, shall submit to Congress a report on gaps in cross-border entry,
exit, immigration-status, and commercial motor carrier data sharing
with Mexico that impede enforcement of Federal cabotage and commercial
motor vehicle laws. The report shall identify legal, diplomatic,
technological, and administrative options for improving such
information sharing and enforcement.
SEC. 7. IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT.
(a) Reports.--The Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of
Homeland Security shall each submit an annual report, or may jointly
submit a consolidated annual report, to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
describing the implementation of this Act and the amendments made by
this Act, including--
(1) commercial driver's license suspensions and revocations
tied to the immigration and employment-authorization
requirements established by the amendments made by section 2;
(2) aggregate English language proficiency testing and
State compliance information required under section 3(b);
(3) carrier applications denied, or enforcement actions
taken, under the chameleon carrier provisions established by
the amendments made by section 4;
(4) cabotage violations identified and enforcement actions
taken under section 6;
(5) civil, administrative, immigration-related, or other
enforcement actions and penalties assessed under this Act or
pursuant to amendments made by this Act; and
(6) progress on modernization and integration of the
commercial driver's license information system and other
information systems used to carry out the amendments made by
sections 2 and 6.
(b) GAO Review.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of this Act, including
the amendments made by this Act.
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