Enforcement reports sweeps, DA/AG referrals and improved collections but urges more public disclosure
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Summary
Enforcement staff described increased sweeps and referrals to district attorneys and the Attorney General's Office, new collections work that recovered roughly $15,820 through Sept. 1, and field operations with FMCSA. Council members pushed for greater public visibility of citations and decisions.
The Bureau of Household Goods and Services told the advisory council on Oct. 16 that its enforcement program has expanded proactive activity, opened multiple investigations referred to district attorneys and the Attorney General—or license revocation, and strengthened collections on unpaid citations.
"We work with FMCSA," said Travis Cook, supervising investigator for the Northern Enforcement Team, describing joint inspections and interstate referrals that led to investigations of unlicensed operators. Cook said bureau agents joined FMCSA agents in Los Angeles County and that field agents referred several unlicensed movers for investigation in July and August.
Enforcement reported targeted sweeps and compliance checks. In a July sweep of Santa Cruz–Monterey area businesses, investigators contacted 42 businesses and issued 16 citations totaling $6,500 for unlicensed operation. A subsequent Fresno sweep checked 46 businesses and resulted in 18 citations totaling $6,250 (not including delinquent fees). The bureau also said a statewide household movers sweep is scheduled for later in October.
Chief Alda Aguirre detailed administrative enforcement and collections. The bureau initiated a collections program in October 2024; as of Sept. 1, 2025 the collections unit had recovered $15,820 from unpaid fines and referred additional accounts for collection (including 67 referrals between April and August 2025). Aguirre said the collections team sent formal notices to businesses and used referrals to the Franchise Tax Board when sufficient taxpayer data existed.
Council members pressed bureau staff to publicize enforcement outcomes. "Why is this not public information?" asked Steve White Young, urging press releases so consumers and licensees can see final decisions and bad-actor names. Aguirre said citation and decision records are publicly posted on the bureau rea of the website and staff are working with communications to make the enforcement pages more user-friendly; she said completed orders and citation records appear after appeal periods expire.
Enforcement also highlighted several consumer-assistance outcomes in which investigators negotiated refunds or settlements: a furniture retailer refunded $1,034 to a consumer enrolled in an unwanted protection plan; a supplier replaced a refrigerator valued at $2,399 after repeated failed repairs; and a service company settled a dishwasher damage claim for $5,800.
The enforcement team emphasized continued multiagency cooperation with county district attorneys, the Attorney General nd FMCSA to pursue unlicensed or fraudulent operations.