HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2494

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to moving companies.

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

Sponsors:  Representatives Jones, Mielke and Kremen.

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, January 31, 1994, DP;

  Passed House, February 9, 1994, 92-0;

  Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; R. Meyers; Orr; Patterson; Quall; Romero; Sheldon; Shin and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

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 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 of Bill:  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.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Requiring all moving and storage companies to list their UTC permit number when advertising will:  (1) reduce the number of unauthorized carriers performing household goods moves; and (2) enhance consumer protection.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Larry Pursley, Washington Trucking Association; and Don Lewis, Utilities and Transportation Commission.