Do Changes to Household Goods Law Affect Your Business?

On August 28, 2012 several changes to household goods transportation went into effect. Among these are changes in tarrifs and rates; the elimination of route restrictions; the elimination of proof of need and the need to comply with Missouri workers’ compensation law.

Tariffs

Motor carriers transporting household goods in Missouri intrastate commerce, including carriers who participate in through routes or interline service, are no longer required to file a tariff with Motor Carrier Services. Tariffs must be prepared, printed and kept open for public inspection at your place of business. All tariffs must continue to be made available for inspection or copying by authorized State officials upon request.

Rates

All rate orders issued by the MHTC or its predecessors, as it pertains to maximum and minimum rates, are set aside and vacated effective August 28, 2012. All other regulatory items within the rate orders remain in effect.

Motor Carriers transporting household goods are no longer prohibited from using a schedule of rates or charges that divide the state into territorial rate areas effective August 28, 2012. Rates applicable to the transportation of  household goods to, from and between all points within Missouri must be clearly defined within the tariff printed and kept on file in the motor carrier’s place of business.

Route Restrictions Eliminated

New applicants for authority to transport household goods for hire or compensation in intrastate commerce are no longer be required to specify the route or routes where they intend to operate effective. All new carriers whose applications demonstrate they are fit, willing and able to perform the proposed intrastate transportation of household goods will be granted authority to engage in the business of transporting household goods in intrastate commerce between all points and places within Missouri.

Established motor carriers transporting household goods will be granted a new certificate or permit of authority removing any previous route restrictions effective August 28, 2012.

No Proof of Need for Service

New applicants applying for authority to transport household goods are no longer required to provide proof that the proposed service will provide a useful present and future public purpose.

Workers Compensation Compliance

Effective August 28, 2012, motor carriers transporting household goods must maintain workers compensation coverage that complies with Chapter 287 of the Missouri Revised Statutes  through the Missouri Division of Workers Compensation. Failure to fulfill workers compensation requirements will result in suspension of operating authority. New applicants for authority to transport household goods must certify workers compensation insurance coverage at the time of application.