Sec. 27. (a) A person shall not for compensation sell or offer for sale transportation subject to this chapter, make any contract, agreement, or arrangement to provide, procure, furnish, or arrange for the transportation of passengers, or profess by advertisement, solicitation, or otherwise as one who sells, provides, procures, contracts, or arranges for the transportation of passengers, unless the person holds a broker's license issued by the department to engage in the transactions. A person may not engage in transportation subject to this chapter unless the person holds a certificate or a permit as provided in this chapter. In the execution of any contract, agreement, or arrangement to sell, provide, procure, furnish, or arrange for the transportation of passengers, a person may not employ any common or contract carrier who is not the lawful holder of an effective certificate or permit issued as provided in this chapter.

(b) This section does not apply to any carrier holding a certificate or a permit under this chapter or to any employee or agent of the motor carrier, so far as concerns transportation to be furnished wholly by the carrier or jointly with other motor carriers holding like certificates or permits, or with a common carrier by railroad, express, or water.

(c) A brokerage license shall be issued to any qualified applicant for a brokerage license, authorizing any part of the operations covered by the application, if it is found that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to properly perform the service proposed and to conform to this chapter and the requirements, and rules of the department under this chapter, and that the proposed service, to the extent to be authorized by the license, is or will be consistent with the public interest, otherwise the application shall be denied.

(d) The department shall prescribe reasonable rules for the protection of travelers by motor vehicle to be observed by any person holding a brokerage license, and no such license may be issued or remain in effect unless the person furnishes a bond or other security approved by the department, in a form and amount as will insure financial responsibility and the supplying of authorized transportation in accordance with contracts, agreements, or arrangements for the transportation.

(e) The department and its special agents and examiners have the same authority as to accounts, reports, and records, including inspection and preservation of the accounts, reports, and records, of any person holding a brokerage license issued under this section that the department and the department's special agents and examiners have under this chapter with respect to motor carriers subject to this chapter.

(f) A person who violates this section commits a Class C infraction.

As added by P.L.99-1989, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.110-1995, SEC.21; P.L.136-2018, SEC.80.