Senate panel loosens up bill prohibiting movers from holding possessions hostage

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State lawmakers voted Monday to trim — but not eliminate — the right of moving companies to hold a homeowner’s goods hostage over a payment dispute.

Without dissent the Senate Committee on Commerce and Public Safety voted to outlaw the sometimes-used practice of telling customers they owe more than the original estimate and then refusing to take the items off the truck when they arrive at the destination. HB 2145 now goes to the full Senate.

But the vote came only after lawmakers scaled back what already has been approved by the House.

That version stated flatly that a mover has an absolute obligation to deliver the items. That brought concerns from Tony Bradley, president of the Arizona Trucking Association, who said it removed any incentive for the customer to pay anything at all after the services have been provided.

Read more at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor