§ 198. Dispute settlement. 1. One or more motor carriers providing transportation of household goods subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner or an industry association or associations representing motor carriers providing transportation of household goods shall be encouraged by the commissioner to establish a program to settle disputes between such carriers and shippers of household goods concerning the transportation of household goods. Applications to establish such programs shall be submitted to the commissioner under such rules and regulations as the commissioner may promulgate. No such program shall become effective until approved by the commissioner. Any carrier that does not establish its own program to settle disputes or join a dispute settlement program of an industry association shall submit disputes with shippers to an alternative mechanism or mechanisms for resolving disputes sanctioned by the commissioner pursuant to rules and regulations.
2. The commissioner may investigate at any time the functioning of any program approved under this section and, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may suspend or revoke the approval of such program.
3. No program for settling disputes concerning the transportation of household goods may be approved under this section unless the commissioner finds that such program contains adequate protection for the consumer and that the program establishes an expeditious process for the handling and resolution of disputes.
