H.R. 880 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jan 31, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens oversight of household goods movers
This bill gives the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration more power to penalize moving companies, brokers, and freight forwarders who break rules about shipping household goods across state lines. It also requires these companies to have a designated physical location where their main business happens and to disclose any family or business ties to other companies they may have had in the past three years. States gain the ability to use certain federal grant money to enforce these rules themselves.
How it affects you
If you hire a moving company to transport your household goods across state lines, this bill could mean stronger enforcement against companies that violate shipping rules, potentially making your move safer and more protected. States also gain tools to catch and penalize problem movers in their areas. The changes apply mainly to people and businesses using professional movers for interstate relocations.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 31, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 880
A BILL
Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act
Sponsor: Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large) · Introduced Jan 31, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 1, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.”
Sections
Sections · 5
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties for Violations of Commercial RegulationsNo change
- Sec. 3State Use of Grant Funds for Commercial Enforcement and Consumer ProtectionNo change
- Sec. 4State Retention of Penalties and FinesNo change
- Sec. 5Registration RequirementsNo change