10/7/03 - Gov. Gray Davis has signed a bill intended to target “fly-by-night” household movers who draw in customers with unrealistically low estimates, then hand the customer a higher bill after the goods are on their way.
AB845 sets a “fair-pricing formula” intended to keep prices from exceeding estimates.

9/9/03 - A bill that is intended to target fly-by-night household movers has passed both houses of the General Assembly and is headed to the desk of Gov. Gray Davis for his signature.
AB845 would tighten rules for household goods carriers. The bill targets “fly-by-night” movers who draw in customers with unrealistically low estimates, then hand the customer a higher bill after the goods are on their way.
The bill was approved by the Assembly May 29 by a 47-31 vote; it passed the Senate 23-14 Aug. 27. However, both houses had to concur on amendments, a process that was not finished until last week.

7/18/03 - A bill in the Senate Appropriations Committee takes aim at “fly-by-night” household goods movers.
AB845, which was approved by the Assembly May 29 by a 47-31 vote, targets HHG movers who draw in customers with unrealistically low estimates, then hand the customer a higher bill after the goods are on their way.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

6/20/03 - A bill targeting “fly-by-night” movers who draw in customers with unrealistically low estimates, then hand the customer a higher bill after the goods are on their way, is in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
AB845, which was approved by the Assembly May 29 by a 47-31 vote, would create a “fair-pricing formula.” For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

5/20/03 - The Assembly Committee on Appropriations voted in favor of a bill that would tighten rules for household goods carriers.
The bill targets “fly-by-night” movers who draw in customers with unrealistically low estimates, then hand the customer a higher bill after the goods are on their way.
Under AB845, a “fair-pricing formula” would be created. Enforcement efforts and sanctions of the Public Utilities Commission also would be enhanced.
The bill is now headed to the full Assembly. For Assembly bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

4/30/03 - The Assembly Committee on Transportation approved legislation April 28 that would tighten rules for household goods carriers.
Joe Furtado, a committee consultant, said the bill targets “fly-by-night” movers who draw in customers with unrealistically low estimates, then hand the customer a higher bill after the goods are on their way.
Many of the companies hold the customer’s goods in storage to force them to pay the higher bill.
AB845 would address the problem three ways, he said:
It would set a “fair-pricing formula,” or some other mechanism that would keep prices from exceeding estimates;
It would enhance the enforcement efforts of the Public Utilities Commission, or PUC, which would enforce the rules, against problem carriers; and
It would enhance the sanctions the PUC could apply to movers who violate the rules.
In addition, the bill would prohibit the movers from failing to deliver goods in a timely manner if the customer requests it and pays the estimated cost of the service, plus valid change orders.
The transportation committee voted in favor of the bill 13-3 after a hearing April 28. It is now headed to the Assembly appropriations committee.
For Assembly bill status, call (916) 319-2856.