Agenda Date: October 27,1999     
Item Number: 

Docket:  TV-991559   
Household Goods Carriers General -- Rulemaking
Review of Commission's rules Relating to Motor Carriers of Household Goods in 
Chapter 480-15 of the Washington Administrative Code.

Staff:  Bonnie Allen, Program Coordinator
   Paul Curl, Deputy Director Regulatory Services
   Gene Eckhardt, Assistant Director of Solid Waste and Water
   Marjorie Schaer, Review Judge
   M.  Carlene Hughes, Program Coordinator

Recommendation:

Direct the Secretary to file a preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101) in 
Docket TV-991559 to initiate a review of the Commission’s rules Relating to 
Motor Carriers of Household Goods in Chapter 480-15 of the Washington 
Administrative Code.

Discussion:

On December 14, 1998, after a lengthy rulemaking, the Commission adopted rules 
relating to Motor Carriers of Household Goods in Chapter 480-15 WAC.  Those 
rules went into effect on January 15, 1999.   A petition for judicial review 
and a request for stay of those rules was filed in Thurston County Superior 
Court.  The request for stay was granted only as it applied to rule waivers 
(WAC 480-15-030) and granting permanent authority (WAC 480-15-330).  The 
petition for judical review is still pending.

Since January 15, 1999, certain rules have generated questions leading staff to 
believe they may be unclear, incomplete, or have resulted in unintended 
consequences. Additionally, several household goods moving companies and 
representatives of the household goods moving industry continue to express 
concern that rules are having a negative effect on consumers and the household 
goods moving industry.  

Because of these concerns, the staff wants to inquire whether certain rules 
governing the Commission’s regulation of household goods carriers providing 
residential moving services are working well.  In order to do this we plan to 
gather factual information about the effect of the rules and determine if 
changes, additions, or deletions might be appropriate. 

Conclusion

Staff recommends the Secretary be directed to file a preproposal statement of 
inquiry (CR-101) in Docket TV-991559 to initiate a review of rules Relating to 
Motor Carriers of Household Goods in Chapter 480-15 of the Washington 
Administrative Code.