N.Y. Transportation Law § 198: Dispute settlement

§ 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.