California, is now the world’s sixth-largest economy. The state’s legislative process regularly generates more than 2,000 proposed laws a year and oversees a $183.2-billion state budget. A single California state senator represents roughly 988,000 people, more than the populations of six states. Each Assembly member represents nearly half a million people, yet, the size of the Legislature, 40 members in the Senate, 80 in the Assembly, has remained unchanged since 1879.

The information above is interesting to me, hopefully to you as well, because with all its issues and challenges I still love our state. This legislative session has been a roller coaster ride for the California Moving and Storage Association (CMSA) with the Governor’s Reorganization Plan (moving Transportation regulation from the CPUC to another state agency). First planning to move to the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) then to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). It also included a legislative process that started with a failed Budget Bill and then resulted in the Household Goods Carrier’s Act being incorporated in to Senator Jerry Hill’s bill SB 19. In addition to our team I would like to thank the senior staffers of the DCA who met with us on several occasions to discuss our proposed changes to the bill. I would also thank Governor Brown’s staff, particularly Michael Martinez who met with us several times, most importantly when we appeared to be at an impasse.  Finally, thanks to Senator Jerry Hill for all his efforts and support and particularly his staffer Patrick Welch.

While this process has not been easy and our path has included hills and valleys and taken more than a few turns, some pretty sharp. I can say that all involved worked as conscientiously as they were able to craft a positive outcome for consumers, regulated carriers, and the citizens of California.

Now we wait, first for the approval of the legislature and, if successful, the signature of the Governor. When and if that happens, CMSA goes to work engaging a new state agency as they learn about our industry, regulations and the unique relationships between movers and their customers. A successful future for our industry is dependent on that. Cautiously and optimistically, we wait.

September 2017 - CMSA Communicator