In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Household goods movers” has the meaning stated in § 14–3101 of the Commercial Law Article. “Household goods moving services” has the meaning stated in § 14–3101 of the Commercial Law Article.

A person may not provide or offer to provide household goods moving services in the State using a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in 49 C.F.R. 390.5 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, unless the person is registered as a household goods mover under this title. This title may not be construed to require registration of: employees of a person required to register under subsection (a) of this section; or an employee of a person whose goods are being moved.

To apply for registration as a household goods mover, an applicant shall: submit to the Department an application on the form provided by the Department; and pay the Department an application fee set by the Department.

An applicant for registration shall provide: the applicant’s name and all trade names under which the applicant intends to provide household goods moving services in the State; the applicant’s physical address, telephone number, and, if applicable, e–mail address; the name of all persons with at least 25% ownership in the applicant’s business; and if a person identified under item (i) of this item has previously applied for registration for another entity, identification of that person and the disposition of the application for the other entity; the applicant’s federal employee identification number; the name of the applicant’s registered agent in the State; the applicant’s U.S. Department of Transportation or State Department of Transportation number; insurance carrier and policy number showing liability and cargo coverage with the minimum standards in 49 C.F.R. Part 387.303; and proof of workers’ compensation coverage for all covered employees.

A household goods mover shall pay an annual registration fee set by the Department. On approval of a new or renewal application, the Department shall assign a unique registration number and issue an annual registration to the applicant. A household goods mover shall retain a copy of its annual registration in each vehicle used to perform household goods moving services.

The Department may set by regulation reasonable fees for its services to carry out this title. The fees charged shall be: set so as to produce funds to approximate the cost of maintaining the duties of the Department under this title; and based on the calculations performed by the Secretary under § 2–106.16 of this article. The Department shall publish a schedule of fees set by the Department. The Department shall pay all fees collected under this title to the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall distribute the fees to the Household Goods Movers Registration Fund established in § 2–106.15 of this article.

The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this title, including regulations establishing requirements and procedures for the registration of household goods movers and providing for the enforcement of this title.

The Department may impose on a person who violates this title a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation.