FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2494

                         C 168 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

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

By Representatives Jones, Mielke and Kremen.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  Household goods carriers (moving and storage companies) are regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) when performing intrastate moves.  Carriers must obtain operating authority from the UTC 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.

To ensure consumer protection, construction contractors such as builders, electricians, and plumbers are required to list their state contractor's number when advertising.

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.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  92 0

Senate 32 16

Effective:  June 9, 1994