This summer peak season has been as challenging for the moving industry as we have ever seen.

Members servicing household moving around the state have seen capacity issues of a magnitude and variety never seen before. One of many issues is a shortage of Trucks! Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is quoted as saying, that he doesn’t expect the semiconductor shortage that is negatively impacting manufacturing and delivery in many industries, including new trucks, to be corrected to a healthy supply-demand status until 2023.Yet, CMSA member companies remain focused on providing quality service for the moving public.

We have had several media interviews on Scam Operators damaging both consumers and legitimate movers. KCAL 9 television, reporter Stacey Butler ran a story on the issue. From a ½-hour Zoom interview, she used four segments with our comments and referenced CMSA. The link to the segment is available on the CMSA Facebook page. We were also interviewed by KNX news radio producer Donald Morrison on the same topic.

We were disappointed to learn that Nicholas Oliver has been relieved of his position as BHGS Bureau Chief effective July 1, 2021. We thank him for all his efforts and the success we shared in standing up a new regulatory program with the DCA.

Regularly, shippers call CMSA to discuss service issues or claims. If we feel there is a valid issue or a misunderstanding, we will try to intercede. Last month, a shipper contacted us on a perceived issue with a member. Once we reviewed the facts, we agreed with the mover and felt there was nothing we could add to the situation. The shipper continued to email daily including BHGS, and the Attorney General’s office as well as the mover in all communication. When it became clear that complaints were garnering no interest, the shipper finally agreed to delivery at a reduced rate. In a classy move, the shipper paid the $600 bill in coins. The mover sent a photo of a wheelbarrow full of 344lbs. of change.

Over the last month we have spent a good amount of time lobbying in opposition to AB 224 (Daly). Our focus has been letters and outreach by CMSA members who have State Senator’s on the Senate Business and Professions committee, the next legislative group to hear the bill. AB 224 (Daly) is exactly the same bill as AB 2460 (Daly) that we fought in the 2020 session. That bill ended up being pulled, in good part because our lobbying convinced several senators to state their willingness to oppose it. The bill would exempt from state oversight (think BHGS regulation) a motor carrier that meets the requirements of the limited-service exclusion in Section 13102 of Title 49 of the United States Code, or a broker covered by the same exclusion. The reason for the bill, this is not what the code in California currently says and BHGS was starting to enforce the law. CMSA’s position for both bills has been the same, we contend that removing BHGS oversight and enforcement from certain motor carriers involved in transporting household goods, or brokers arranging for services, will adversely impact consumers and the regulated moving industry. If you have yet to share with your assemblyperson or senator your opposition to AB 224 (Daly) do so today!

July 2021 - CMSA Communicator