PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: This is an industry-requested rule making. The Washington Movers Conference, a division of the Washington Trucking Association, has requested the Washington utilities and transportation commission (commission) consider a rule making to review its rules on household goods entry standards. Staff agrees the commission would benefit from a review of its household goods entry rules, chapter 480-15 WAC. The rule making has been assigned Docket TV-111493.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040 and 81.80.075.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Entry standards for household goods carriers are minimal. Applicants must properly complete the application, pay the fee, and provide proof of both liability and cargo insurance. Once these simple steps are completed, the commission grants a permit. The existing rules may be insufficient, perhaps granting permits to companies that are unfit to operate. This rule making will consider the need to set standards that allow qualified companies to operate and, at the same time, protect the public from unscrupulous, unsafe, or unfit household goods moving companies.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None at the intrastate level; USDOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at the interstate level.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments by September 26, 2011, and will conduct a stakeholders' workshop on October 11, 2011. The commission will provide the opportunity for additional written comments.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may contact the Executive Director and Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150.
WRITTEN COMMENTS AND STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than Monday, September 26, 2011, for consideration at the October 11, 2011, stakeholder workshop.
Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted via the commission's web portal at www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing or by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@utc.wa.gov. Please include:
| • | The docket number of this proceeding (TV-111493). |
| • | The commenting party's name. |
| • | The title and date of the comment or comments. |
Opportunity for further comment is anticipated. Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive further information on this rule making you may (1) call the commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the commission at <records@utc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of David W. Danner, executive director and secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket TV-111493 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Vicki Elliott, (360) 664-1119 or e-mail velliott@utc.wa.gov.
August 24, 2011
David W. Danner
Executive Director
and Secretary