Legislation to give the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration more tools to protect consumers has been introduced in Congress, officials said.
The legislation, the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NB) would give the FMCSA the tools it needs to protect consumers from fraud by scammers in the interstate transportation space.
“We cannot allow bad actors in the shipping and moving industry to violate consumer trust and harm our nation’s supply chain. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration the tools they need to hold these thieves accountable. I look forward to working with my colleagues in both the House and the Senate to get our bill signed into law,” Fischer said.
Specifically, the legislation would empower the FMCSA with enhanced authority to penalize violators in the freight industry. The bill would also mandate that companies operating in the household goods sector maintain a legitimate principal place of business; direct the FMCSA to identify trends and commonalities in fraudulent practices; and allow states to use federal funds to enforce consumer protection laws related to household goods transportation.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) co-sponsored the bill. In the House, U.S. Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Mike Ezell (R-MS) will introduce sister legislation in the House, officials said.
“The Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act aims to tackle fraudulent practices in the moving and shipping industry that damage consumer trust and disrupt our national supply chain,” Ezell said. “By holding dishonest actors accountable, we’re not only safeguarding consumers but also supporting reputable businesses and their workforce. I’m proud to co-author this important legislation to combat fraud and strengthen order within our economy.”
The legislation is supported by a wide range of organizations in the trucking and freight industries.