This bill changes parts of title 49 of the U.S. Code that cover the shipping of household goods. It gives the Secretary (through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) a clear power to assess civil penalties after notice and a hearing for violations of the household goods rules. The bill lets States choose to use certain federal grant funds to enforce federal household goods rules for interstate moves, and to enforce intrastate moves if the State law is compatible with federal rules. It also says any fines or penalties a State imposes under the law are paid to and kept by that State.
The bill adds a new definition for a "principal place of business" and requires motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers to designate one. Freight forwarders and brokers must disclose certain recent relationships involving common ownership, management, control, or family ties with other carriers or brokers from the prior 3 years. The Secretary may withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke registrations if an entity fails to designate a valid principal place of business. The bill updates registration rules to require a principal place of business as part of getting a USDOT number or registration.
No publicly available information on estimated costs or savings to the federal government, States, local governments, businesses, or consumers is included in the bill text or metadata provided.
No publicly available information on supporters' statements, reported benefits, or stated goals is included in the bill text or metadata provided.
No publicly available information on opposition, objections, or stated concerns is included in the bill text or metadata provided.