119 STAT. 1758
PUBLIC LAW 109–59—AUG. 10, 2005 ‘‘(3)(A) the shipper was not advised by the carrier during the claim settlement process that a dispute settlement program was available to resolve the dispute; ‘‘(B) a decision resolving the dispute was not’’.
SEC. 4209. CIVIL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOUSEHOLD GOODS BROKERS AND UNAUTHORIZED TRANSPORTATION.
Section 14901(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘If a carrier’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If a carrier’’; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(2) ESTIMATE OF BROKER WITHOUT CARRIER AGREEMENT.— If a broker for transportation of household goods subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 makes an estimate of the cost of transporting any such goods before entering into an agreement with a carrier to provide transportation of household goods subject to such jurisdiction, the broker is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation. ‘‘(3) UNAUTHORIZED TRANSPORTATION.—If a person provides transportation of household goods subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 or provides broker services for such transportation without being registered under chapter 139 to provide such transportation or services as a motor carrier or broker, as the case may be, such person is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not less than $25,000 for each violation.’’. SEC. 4210. PENALTIES FOR HOLDING HOUSEHOLD GOODS HOSTAGE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 149 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘§ 14915. Penalties for failure to give up possession of household goods ‘‘(a) CIVIL PENALTY.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Whoever is found holding a household goods shipment hostage is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation. ‘‘(2) EACH DAY, A SEPARATE VIOLATION.—Each day a carrier is found to have failed to give up possession of household goods may constitute a separate violation. ‘‘(3) SUSPENSION.—If the person found holding a shipment hostage is a carrier or broker, the Secretary may suspend for a period of not less than 12 months nor more than 36 months the registration of such carrier or broker under chapter 139. The force and effect of such suspension of a carrier or broker shall extend to and include any carrier or broker having the same ownership or operational control as the suspended carrier or broker. ‘‘(b) CRIMINAL PENALTY.—Whoever has been convicted of having failed to give up possession of household goods shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both. ‘‘(c) FAILURE TO GIVE UP POSSESSION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS DEFINED.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘failed to give up possession of household goods’ means the knowing and willful failure, in violation of a contract, to deliver to, or unload at, the destination of a shipment of household goods that is subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I or III of chapter 135 of this title,
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