Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act

Summary

Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act This bill allows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess civil penalties against motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders for violations related to the interstate transportation of household goods and provides states with additional related authorities. As background, a broker is the “middle person” between a shipper and a motor carrier and arranges for the transportation of household goods. A freight forwarder organizes shipments for individuals or corporations. Unlike a broker, freight forwarders assume responsibility for transportation and may transport the freight itself. The bill expands the FMCSA registration requirements to require motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a principal place of business (i.e., a single physical location where management officials report to work, a significant portion of the transportation business is conducted, and records are maintained). FMCSA may withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke any part of a registration for failure to designate. In addition, brokers and freight forwarders must disclose any common ownership, management, control, or familial relationship with any other carrier, freight forwarder, broker, or applicant in the previous three years. Under current law, motor carriers must disclose this information. Further, states may use certain grant funds to enforce federal household goods statutes and regulations for the interstate transportation of these goods by motor carriers and brokers. This applies to Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant funds and MCSAP High Priority discretionary grant funds. A state shall retain collected fines that are a result of enforcement.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

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House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• S. 337Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection ActIdentical bill
• H.R. 8870BUILD America 250 ActRelated bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Feb 4, 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in U.S. House

   U.S. House

2. Feb 1, 2025

   In committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

   U.S. House

3. Feb 1, 2025

   Referred to committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

4. Feb 1, 2025

   Referred to committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

5. Feb 1, 2025

   Referred to committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.