Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act

Last action on Feb 23, 2026Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Order...

Summary

S. 337 would strengthen consumer protections in the household goods shipping and moving industry by giving the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) authority to assess civil penalties against companies that violate registration requirements and engage in fraudulent practices. Currently, a 2019 court ruling limits FMCSA's ability to penalize violators directly, requiring the Department of Justice to pursue cases in federal court instead. If enacted, this bill would reverse that limitation and allow FMCSA to act more quickly against bad actors.

The bill also establishes clearer registration standards by requiring shipping companies, brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a single principal place of business and disclose any common ownership or management relationships with other transportation entities. These transparency requirements aim to prevent fraudsters from hiding behind multiple shell companies. Additionally, the bill would allow states to use federal grants to enforce household goods shipping regulations and retain collected fines, giving states more flexibility and financial incentive to participate in enforcement efforts.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

May 21, 2025

HearingSenateMeeting

May 21, 2025 · 14:00

Business meeting to consider S.190, to enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board, S.318, to require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, S.337, to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration relating to the shipping of household goods, S.503, to direct the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate and consider the impact of the telecommunications network equipment supply chain on the deployment of universal service, S.1092, to require certain products to be labeled with 'Do Not Flush' labeling, S.1442, to amend title 49, United States Code, to allow for eligibility for projects for the installation of human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops, S.1523, to modify operations of the National Water Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, S.1626, to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, and the nominations of David Fink, of New Hampshire, to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, David Fogel, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, Robert Gleason, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years, and Pierre Gentin, of New York, to be General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, and promotions in the Coast Guard.

Committee

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

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Summary

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a business meeting on May 21, 2025, to consider multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. The bills under consideration addressed diverse topics including cybersecurity improvements for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, household goods shipping regulations, labeling requirements for non-flushable products, human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops, landslide preparedness, telecommunications supply chain impacts on universal service deployment, and operations of the National Water Center. Additionally, the committee considered nominations for key positions including the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, the Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, and the General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, as well as Coast Guard promotions. As a business meeting rather than a hearing with witness testimony, this session focused on committee consideration and discussion of the proposed legislation and nominees. No witnesses were listed as providing testimony at this meeting. The consideration of these bills and nominations represents the committee's initial review process, but passage of any legislation or confirmation of nominees would require additional steps in the legislative process.

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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-112.

Feb 23, 2026

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-112.

Feb 23, 2026

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Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act

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Lifecycle of the Bill

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Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (1)

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Legislative Subjects (8)

Related Legislation (1)

Committees (1)

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

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