Rates - Household Movers Act - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 19253

This section of the law outlines how the bureau regulates the pricing for moving companies that transport used household goods. They are responsible for setting maximum or minimum rates, or both. When deciding on rates, they must consider various factors like the service costs, the value of the goods moved, and the equipment and staff needed. The law requires them to conduct a study and allow the public to comment before finalizing these rates. No minimum rate can be set unless it ensures safe operation and covers reasonable costs like hiring trained drivers. Until new rules are in place, the bureau will follow the rate guidelines previously set by the Public Utilities Commission.

(a) The bureau shall establish or approve maximum or minimum or maximum and minimum rates to be charged by household movers for the transportation of used household goods and personal effects and for accessorial service performed in connection with the transportation.

(b) In establishing or approving rates, the bureau shall account for the cost of all transportation service performed or to be performed, for any accessorial service performed or to be performed in connection with transportation, the value of the commodity transported, and the value of the equipment, facilities, and personnel reasonably necessary to perform the service. In determining rates, the bureau shall conduct a rate study and provide an opportunity for public comment. The bureau shall determine final rates based on the study and comments received during public review.

(c) The bureau shall establish or approve no minimum rate for household movers unless it finds that the rate is at a sufficient level to allow safe operation upon the highways of the state and accounts for the cost of trained drivers and other reasonable expenses of operation of household movers.

(d) Until the operative date of rules or regulations of the bureau establishing or approving rates, the bureau shall enforce and administer the rates and rules set forth in the Public Utilities Commission’s Maximum Rate Tariff 4, as most recently amended as of July 1, 2018, by the Public Utilities Commission.

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Section § 19253.1

This law says that household moving companies can’t base their charges on how much space your stuff takes up, like using cubic feet to measure. If they do, they can’t get paid for the move and have to pay back any money they already took from you.

A household mover shall not advertise, quote, or charge a rate or an amount for the transportation of used household goods and personal effects that is based on the amount of cubic feet or other volumetric unit measurement of those household goods and effects. In addition to any other remedy, a household mover that violates this section shall not be entitled to any compensation for the transportation of the household goods and effects and shall make restitution to the shipper of any compensation collected.

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Section § 19253.2

This law allows the bureau in California to set up processes that let moving companies charge more than the usual maximum rate for their services.

The bureau may establish procedures by which any household mover may charge or collect a greater rate than the maximum rate established under this chapter.

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Section § 19253.3

This law section says the bureau is responsible for creating any rules needed to apply and enforce rate regulations under this chapter.

The bureau shall make any rules that are necessary to the application and enforcement of the rates established or approved pursuant to this chapter.

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Section § 19254

This law states that a moving company cannot give any kickbacks or discounts to the person shipping or receiving goods, or to anyone paying for the moving charges, unless they have special permission from the bureau.

A household mover shall not directly or indirectly pay any commission to a shipper, consignee, or the employee thereof, or to the payer of the transportation charges, or refund, or remit to those persons, in any manner or by any device any portion of the rates or charges so specified, except upon authority of the bureau.

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Section § 19255

This law states that household movers and their representatives must not help anyone get cheaper or more expensive moving services by using tricks like fake billing or incorrect weight reports. They must stick to the price guidelines set by the bureau.

No household mover, no officer or agent of a household mover, and no person acting for or employed by a household mover shall, by means of known false billing, classification, weight, weighing or report of weight, or by any other device, assist, suffer, or permit any corporation or person to obtain transportation for any property between points within this state at rates less than the minimum rates or more than the maximum rates then established, approved, or administered by the bureau.

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Section § 19256

This law makes it illegal for anyone, including corporations and their employees, to use dishonest methods like lying about weights or package contents to get cheaper or more expensive transportation rates than what is allowed for moving goods.

No person, no corporation, and no officer, agent, or employee of a corporation shall, by means of false billing, false or incorrect classification, false weight or weighing, false representation as to the content or substance of a package, or false report or statement of weight, or by any other device or means, whether with or without the consent or connivance of a household mover, or any of its officers, agents, or employees, seek to obtain or obtain transportation for property at less than the minimum rates or charges or more than the maximum rates or charges established, approved, or administered by the bureau.

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Section § 19257

This law makes it illegal for anyone, including corporations and their employees, to falsely claim or pay for damages related to the transportation of goods. This includes making false statements or using fake documents to obtain money, rebates, or compensation for fake damages. It also prohibits household moving companies from knowingly paying or offering to pay for these false claims.

No person, no corporation, and no officer, agent, or employee of a corporation, shall knowingly, directly or indirectly by any false statement or representation as to cost or value or the nature or extent of damage, or by the use of any false billing, bill of lading, receipt, voucher, roll, account, claim, certificate, affidavit, or deposition, or upon any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, obtain or attempt to obtain any allowance, rebate, or payment for damage in connection with or growing out of the transportation of property subject to this chapter, or an agreement to transport property subject to this chapter, whether with or without the consent or connivance of a household mover, or any of its officers, agents, or employees. No household mover and no officer, agent, or employee of a household mover shall knowingly pay or offer to pay any such allowance, rebate, or claim for damage.

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