WSR 26-15-090
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION
[Filed July 17, 2026, 11:43 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Washington utilities and transportation commission (commission) commences this rule making to consider removal of the maximum rates contained in household goods tariff 15-C, or other alternative forms of rate making, along with potential modification of rules within chapter 480-15 WAC related to tariff rates and consumer protection.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW
80.01.040,
80.04.160,
81.01.010,
81.04.160,
81.04.250,
81.28.010,
81.28.040,
81.80.075,
81.80.120,
81.80.130,
81.80.290, and
81.80.360.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission regulates approximately 265 intrastate household goods movers through an industry-wide tariff, which contains minimum and maximum tariff rates that companies are authorized to charge customers, as well as other terms and conditions that companies must adhere to. In recent years, there have been several requests by industry representatives for the commission to reexamine its current rate-setting methodology and consider removal of the maximum tariff rates due to the competitive nature of the industry. RCW
81.80.130 grants the commission the authority to "make, fix, alter, and amend, just, fair, reasonable, minimum, maximum, or minimum and maximum, rates, charges, classifications, rules, and regulations for all common carriers," which includes household goods movers. The commission asserted this authority by electing to set minimum and maximum tariff rates through an industry-wide tariff, as reflected in WAC 480-15-490. In recognition of the apparent authority to set only minimum tariff rates under RCW
81.80.130, the commission ordered the initiation of a rule making to consider removal of the maximum tariff rates contained in the industry-wide tariff and accompanying modification of WAC 480-15-490. In addition, the commission will consider modifications to consumer protection rules contained in chapter 480-15 WAC and its industry-wide tariff, should the commission remove or otherwise amend its rules requiring the commission to set maximum tariff rates. The commission will also consider alternative rate-making processes and procedures for this industry and will examine its rules for any necessary administrative clean up, such as removing references to an out-of-date commission toll-free telephone number.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No federal or other state agencies govern the rates or charges of Washington intrastate household goods carriers.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will request initial written comments, schedule one or more workshops, and provide the opportunity for interested parties to submit additional written comments on draft rules and proposed CR-102 rules prior to adoption.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jeff Killip, 621 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, phone 360-664-1173, fax 360-586-1150, email records@utc.wa.gov, website www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing or www.utc.wa.gov/.
July 17, 2026
Jeff Killip
Executive Director and Secretary