Limits thwart nabbing illegal movers

I’m writing to respond to the findings of a recent audit of the Public Service Commission’s regulation of household goods movers as outlined in “Rogue Movers Keep Rolling” (Page one, Sept. 7).

Let me provide some insight into the PSC’s regulatory challenges. In 2001 the PSC had a transportation division staffed with approximately 60 employees. Under the leadership of then-Governor Roy Barnes, the state legislature approved legislation that transferred the entire transportation division to the new Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. There were approximately 20 employees who handled household goods movers as well as limousines. When the legislature returned regulation of household goods movers to the commission in 2005, we gained exactly one person to handle the job. Today we have a staff one-tenth the previous size, yet we are expected to provide the public with the same level of service. Is it really any wonder that rogue movers keep rolling?

This one employee and a staff attorney recently spent an entire day conducting a field audit of one illegal mover, pouring over paperwork and documents at the mover’s office. This mover purported to hold a certificate from the commission. This one investigation consumed the entire day of our one employee, as well as a staff attorney who handles not only Transportation issues but also issues for our Utility Facilities Protection and Pipeline Safety Units.

Once the commission finds out that a mover is operating illegally, the commission will issue an order telling the mover to cease and desist and provide documentation to become commission certified. If they ignore this order, the commission will institute proceedings to bring in the mover and fine them. However, many illegal movers will simply stop operating under one name and set up shop under another name elsewhere, operating only with a cellphone and a mailbox. Chasing down these illegal scofflaws again requires considerable commission time and resources. Until 2007, the commission had no authority over movers who operated solely within the boundaries of a municipality. Many illegal movers used this exemption to hide from commission authority. The commission initiated legislation (House Bill 316) to correct this deficiency and pushed for its successful passage during the 2007 session of the General Assembly.

We have also attempted to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Safety to assist us in tracking down unlicensed movers but to date those negotiations have been unsuccessful. We will continue those efforts in order to find and put rogue movers out of business. Most of the household goods movers in the state are reputable firms but there are some disreputable players. The public needs to know that if they are planning a move they need to call the PSC at 404-656-4501 or check our Web site, www.psc.state.ga.us, to find out if the mover is licensed by the commission.

I assure you that the PSC will continue to do all it can within its current budget and resource limitations to pursue illegal movers.

Doug Everett is vice-chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission.