SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                            HB 2494

 

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 2, 1994

 

 

Brief Description:  Requiring moving companies to use a Washington utilities and transportation commission permit number for advertisements.

 

SPONSORS: Representatives Jones, Mielke and Kremen

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Drew, Haugen, Oke, Prentice, M. Rasmussen, Schow, Sheldon and Winsley.

 

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

     Signed by Senator Morton.

 

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786‑7309)

 

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1994

 

 

BACKGROUND: 

 

Intrastate household goods carriers (moving and storage companies) are regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).  Carriers must obtain operating authority from the commission and are assigned a UTC permit number.

 

Some illegal carriers, operating without UTC authority, are advertising their services as moving and storage companies.  Because there is no identification requirement, it is difficult for the general public to know if the mover is a certificated carrier.

 

Construction contractors (builders, electricians, plumbers, etc.) are required to list their state contractor's number when advertising.  A similar requirement for the moving and storage industry may be warranted as a consumer protection measure.

 

SUMMARY:

 

When advertising, intrastate household goods carriers are required to list their UTC permit number in all advertisements that bear the carrier's name or address.  Included in the advertising requirements are contracts, correspondence, cards, signs, posters, papers, documents, the yellow pages of the telephone book or other directories.

 

If the carrier contracts with an advertising agency to advertise through a FAX service or other electronic transmission, the UTC permit number is not required on the FAX as long as it is recorded in the advertising contract.

 

It is unlawful to use a false or inaccurate permit number.  If a certificated carrier or a carrier acting as a moving and storage company violates the advertising provisions, the commission may impose an administrative penalty of $500 per violation.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  none requested

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

This consumer measure will ensure that the carrier is licensed and insured, and subject to administrative penalties.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Bob Boston, WUTC; John Woodring, WA Trucking Association