February 26, 1998 RE: Household Goods Rulemaking Docket No. TV-971477 Dear Consumer: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission) needs your help in determining how to improve the way it regulates household movers--companies who pack up and transport an individual’s belongings from one private residence to another inside Washington State. Should you care about how the state regulates household movers? Yes: the new rule may increase your options when choosing a mover and may allow you to negotiate the price you pay a mover. Some level of regulation is needed to protect consumers. However, the Commission has received complaints that suggest existing regulations may protect the industry more than consumers. This is one of the issues we are examining. Please review the enclosed fact sheet which highlights the problems we see and how we approach solving them. The established moving industry is well organized and has made strong concerns about these proposed changes clearly known. Companies who have been denied entry into this market in the past have also clearly been active in discussing possible rule changes. Our problem is that only a few consumers have shared their concerns and ideas with us: we need to know what is important to you. Please take a few minutes to call, write, telefax, or E-mail us. Your ideas make a difference. A discussion draft of the new household goods rules will be mailed out by March 27, 1998, to everyone who tells us they are interested. If you want your comments considered in the next draft of the rules, please send them to reach us no later than March 6, 1998. Please refer to Docket No. TV-971477 so we can make sure we get your comments to the staff members who are working on the rules. Commission Staff also invites you to come and comment in person at our next stakeholders meeting. It will be held April 14, 1998, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Room 206 at the Commission. Our address is: Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission P. O. Box 47250 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W. Olympia, Washington 98504-7250 Parking is free. Call one of the numbers below if you need directions or want a map mailed to you. Please let us know if you plan on attending the stakeholder meeting by calling Carolyn Caurso at 360-664-1244. If you need additional information, feel free to contact Kim Dobyns at 360-664-1242. Send mail to address given above, or to telefax number 360-586-1150. Send E-Mail messages to Kim@wutc.wa.gov. Thank you in advance for your help. Sincerely, PAUL CURL Acting Secretary Enclosure NOTICE TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULEMAKING -- The Commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. ANY PERSON WHO COMMENTS will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rulemaking, please advise the Records Center by any one of the following methods: (1) send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket No. TV-971477, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) E-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket No. TV-971477, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to records@wutc.wa.gov. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the Commission's Internet web site at < http://www.wutc.wa.gov/>. THOSE PARTIES WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULEMAKING.