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Gives the Department of Transportation new tools to police and register companies that move people and goods, and lets States play a larger enforcement role for household‑goods moves. It authorizes the Secretary to assess civil penalties for violations of selected commercial transportation rules after notice and hearing, directs that fines collected under certain state proceedings remain with the State that imposed them, allows States to use grant funds to enforce Federal household‑goods rules (and opt in to enforce compatible intrastate rules), and requires carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a principal place of business and disclose recent business relationships as part of registration.
Redesignate subsections (b), (c), and (d) of 49 U.S.C. 14914 as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively.
Insert a new subsection (b) in 49 U.S.C. 14914 that requires the Secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to assess a civil penalty by written notice if the Secretary finds a person violated a provision of part B of subtitle IV or a regulation or order issued under that part.
Amend subsection (c) of 49 U.S.C. 14914 (as redesignated by the redesignation above) by inserting additional text after an unspecified location. The specific inserted text is not included in the provided excerpt.
Amend subsection (d) of 49 U.S.C. 14914 (as redesignated by the redesignation above) by inserting additional text after an unspecified location. The specific inserted text is not included in the provided excerpt.
Amend 49 U.S.C. 501(b) by inserting additional text after an unspecified location (first insertion). The specific inserted text is not included in the provided excerpt.
Who is affected and how:
Carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders: Face new registration requirements (designation of principal place of business and disclosure of recent relationships), greater risk of civil penalties assessed by the Secretary, and possible registration denial or revocation for noncompliance. Compliance costs and recordkeeping burdens will likely increase.
State governments and state enforcement agencies: Gain a clearer statutory route to use federal grant funds to enforce Federal household‑goods rules for interstate moves and—for compatible state laws—intrastate moves. States also receive and retain fines imposed under certain state proceedings, creating a potential revenue stream and incentive to pursue enforcement. The law explicitly makes state enforcement voluntary and not a condition for receiving grants.
Department of Transportation / federal regulators: Receive expanded authority to assess penalties and to condition or revoke registrations for inadequate disclosures or missing principal‑place information. DOT will need to implement procedures for written penalty notices, hearings, and registration checks.
Shippers and household‑goods customers: May benefit from stronger enforcement (fewer bad actors, better compliance) but could face higher prices if compliance costs are passed through. Improved registration and disclosure may make it easier to identify responsible businesses.
Legal and administrative system: More enforcement actions at both state and federal levels could increase litigation, administrative hearings, and demands on adjudicative resources.
Overall effects and tradeoffs: The bill strengthens enforcement tools and clarifies who keeps penalty proceeds, while imposing new registration and disclosure duties on industry. It balances increased oversight with a voluntary approach for State enforcement of household‑goods rules, reducing the risk of forcing unfunded state responsibilities but potentially encouraging states to ramp up enforcement to retain penalties.
Adds subsection (g) to 49 U.S.C. 14711 requiring that any fine or penalty imposed on a carrier or broker in a proceeding under this section be paid to, and retained by, the State that imposed such fine or penalty.
Amends 49 U.S.C. 31102 by adding authority for States to use grant funds to enforce Federal household goods statutes and regulations for interstate household goods transportation and for intrastate transportation where State laws/regulations are compatible with Federal requirements; inserts a corresponding enforcement subparagraph in subsection (l)(2), redesignates an existing subparagraph, and adds a new subsection (m) making these activities optional and not a condition on receipt of funds under the section.
Adds two new definitions to 49 U.S.C. 13102: (28) 'Principal place of business' defining a single physical business location meeting three criteria (management officials report to work there; significant portion of transportation-related business conducted there; records required by specified parts are maintained there); and (29) 'Specified entity' defining the term to include an employer (as defined in section 31132), a person, a motor carrier (including foreign motor carriers and foreign motor private carriers), a broker, or a freight forwarder.
Modifies 49 U.S.C. 13902(a)(1) by adjusting punctuation in existing subparagraphs (C) and (D) and adding a new subparagraph (E) requiring that a motor carrier 'has designated a principal place of business.'
Amends 49 U.S.C. 13903(a) by adjusting punctuation in paragraphs (1) and (2) and adding new paragraphs requiring that a freight forwarder (3) has designated a principal place of business, and (4) has disclosed any relationship involving common ownership, common management, common control, or common familial relationship with any other motor carrier, freight forwarder, broker, or applicant for such registrations if the relationship occurred in the 3-year period preceding the application filing date.
Amends 49 U.S.C. 13904(a) by adjusting punctuation in existing numbered provisions and adding requirements that a broker (3) has designated a principal place of business, and (4) has disclosed relationships involving common ownership, common management, common control, or common familial relationship with other motor carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, or applicants for such registrations if the relationship occurred in the 3-year period preceding the application filing date.
Amends 49 U.S.C. 13905(d)(2) by adjusting punctuation in existing subparagraphs and adding subparagraph (E) authorizing the Secretary to withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke any part of a registration of a motor carrier, foreign motor carrier, foreign motor private carrier, broker, or freight forwarder if the Secretary finds that the entity failed to designate a valid principal place of business.
Amends 49 U.S.C. 31134 by: (1) in subsection (b), adjusting punctuation in paragraphs and adding paragraph (4) requiring that the employer or person seeking registration has designated a principal place of business (as defined in section 13102); and (2) in subsection (c)(2), replacing the reference 'subsection (b)(1)' with 'subsection (b)'.
Redesignates existing subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; inserts a new subsection (b) titled 'Enforcement by Secretary' that authorizes the Secretary to assess a civil penalty by written notice if, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds a person violated a provision of part B of subtitle IV or a regulation or order issued pursuant to such part; and makes additional insertions in the redesignated subsections (c) and (d).
Amends section 501(b) by inserting text at two locations (text of the insertions not provided in the excerpt).
And 3 more affected sections...
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced January 30, 2025 by Debra Fischer · Last progress January 30, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 341.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-112.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.