49 U.S.C. § 14711 — Enforcement by State attorneys general

(a) In General. A State, as parens patriae, can bring a civil action on behalf of its residents in an appropriate federal district court to enforce the consumer protection provisions of this title that the Secretary has determined apply to individual shippers and relate to household goods delivery by a covered household goods motor carrier, or to impose civil penalties authorized by this part, whenever the State's attorney general has reason to believe residents' interests have been, or are being, threatened or hurt by a carrier, broker, or registered foreign motor carrier engaged in household goods transportation that violates this part or a related regulation or order. (b) Notice and Consent. (1) In general. Before suing under (a), the State must serve written notice, including a copy of the planned complaint, on the Secretary or Board. (2) Conditions. The Secretary or Board must review the State's action if: (i) the carrier or broker is not registered with the Department of Transportation; (ii) its license is pending revocation, or has been revoked, for failing to prove required bodily injury or cargo liability insurance, or for another reason; (iii) the carrier is not rated or has a conditional or unsatisfactory safety rating; or (iv) the carrier or broker has been licensed less than 5 years. The Secretary or Board may also review the action if the carrier or broker fails to meet other criteria the Secretary develops. (3) Congressional notification. The Secretary must notify the relevant Senate and House committees of any criteria developed under (2)(B). (4) 60-day deadline. If the Secretary or Board takes no action on the State's notice within 60 calendar days, they are considered to have consented to the State's civil action. (c) Authority to Intervene. After getting the required notice, the Secretary or Board can intervene in the State's civil action -- being heard on all matters in the case, and filing petitions to appeal any decision. (d) Construction. Nothing in this section, for purposes of bringing a civil action under (a), gives anyone a right to start or maintain a class action to enforce federal law, or stops a State attorney general from using their own State-law powers to investigate, administer oaths, or compel witnesses and evidence. (e) Venue; Service of Process. In a civil action under (a): (1) venue must be a federal judicial district where the carrier, foreign motor carrier, or broker operates, was authorized to operate when the complaint arose, or is found; (2) process can be served without regard to the usual territorial limits of the district or State; and (3) anyone who took part with the carrier or broker in the alleged violation can be joined in the action regardless of where they live. (f) Enforcement of State Law. Nothing in this section stops an authorized State official from going to State court to enforce that State's own criminal statute.