Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act
Sponsored By: Senator Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
In Committee
Summary
Stronger oversight of household goods shipping drives expanded federal and state enforcement, tighter registration rules for movers, brokers, and freight forwarders, and new state control over penalty dollars.
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- Families and consumers: States can use federal grant funds to enforce Federal household goods rules for interstate moves and intrastate moves that match federal law. That gives local authorities more power to investigate complaints and protect customers.
- States and local agencies: Fines and penalties from enforcement proceedings must be paid to the State that imposed them. Participation in grant-funded enforcement activities is optional for States and not required to receive funds.
- Carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders: Registrations must name a principal place of business, disclose ownership and familial relationships from the past three years, and include a USDOT number. The Secretary can withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke registrations that fail to designate a valid principal place of business.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
States can fund and keep mover fines
If enacted, States would be allowed to use funds under section 31102 to enforce Federal rules for interstate household goods movers. States could also use those funds to enforce in-state movers if the State has adopted laws compatible with Federal household goods rules. Using these funds for household goods enforcement would be optional for States. Any fine or penalty a State imposes on a carrier or broker under section 14711 would be paid to and retained by that State.
New business address rules for movers
If enacted, the bill would require carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, employers, or applicants to list one principal business address when they register. It would define "principal place of business" as one physical location where managers work, key transport business happens, and required records are kept. Brokers and freight forwarders would also have to disclose any shared ownership, management, control, or family ties with other carriers or applicants from the last three years. These rules would take effect upon enactment.
Stronger federal enforcement for movers
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of Transportation assess civil penalties by written notice after giving notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The Secretary would also be able to withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke registrations when a registrant failed to list a valid principal place of business. The bill would also amend an existing statute to add several chapters to the list of chapters that apply in that provision. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
NE • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov