HB 1523 Summary

• Requires all movers and moving brokers to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; prohibits unregistered persons from operating as movers or brokers, with immediate cease and desist orders authorized.

• Establishes stricter insurance and bonding requirements for movers and brokers, including immediate registration suspension for failure to maintain required coverage; reduces alternative coverage amounts from $50,000 to $25,000 for small movers.

• Creates new section 507.056 restricting moving brokers to arranging moves or referring shippers to registered movers only, prohibiting them from preparing estimates or contracts; requires specific disclosures and documentation in all broker communications.

• Mandates that all estimates, contracts, and broker documents must be prepared and signed or electronically acknowledged by a registered mover; makes it a violation for brokers to provide estimates or contracts not meeting this requirement.

• Establishes Department of Agriculture website listing all moving brokers and their affiliated registered movers; requires mandatory criminal background check suspension procedures and increases civil penalties for violations to Class IV category; effective July 1, 2023.