(1) If the holder of a permit wishes to transfer the permit, the person or entity receiving the permit must complete a household goods moving company permit application on a form provided by the commission. The person or entity receiving the permit is the applicant. The applicant must meet the criteria for a provisional permit and, after the provisional period has passed, meet the criteria for a permanent permit as described in WAC 480-15-305 unless the applicant qualifies for the exceptions described in subsection (2) or (3) of this section.

(2) If the transfer is due to one of the following reasons, the commission will grant permanent authority to the applicant without requiring a provisional permit, public notice, or comment provided that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to provide service and the applicant has filed to transfer permanent authority for any one of the following reasons:

(a) A partnership has dissolved due to the death, bankruptcy or withdrawal of a partner and that partner's interest is being transferred to a spouse or to one or more remaining partners.

(b) A shareholder in a corporation has died and that shareholder's interest is being transferred to a surviving spouse or one or more surviving shareholders.

(c) A sole proprietor has died, the sole proprietor devised or bequeathed the company by will, and the applicant is seeking transfer of the permit in accordance with the bequest or devise set forth in the will.

(d) An individual has incorporated and the same individual remains the majority shareholder.

(e) An individual has added a partner but the same individual remains the majority partner.

(f) A corporation has dissolved and the interest is being transferred to the majority shareholder.

(g) A partnership has dissolved and the interest is being transferred to the majority partner.

(h) A partnership has incorporated, and the partners are the majority shareholders.

(i) Ownership is being transferred from one corporation to another corporation when both are wholly owned by the same shareholders.

(3) The commission will grant an application for permanent authority without requiring a provisional permit after the application has been published on the application docket subject to comment for thirty days if the applicant is fit, willing, and able to provide service, the applicant has filed to transfer control of permanent authority, and all of the following conditions exist:

(a) Ownership of a permit is being transferred to any shareholder, partner, family member, employee, or other person familiar with the company's operations and the household goods moving services provided.

(b) The permit has been actively used by the current owner to provide household goods moving services during the twelve-month period prior to the application.

(c) The application includes a certified statement from the applicant and the current owner explaining why the transfer is necessary to ensure the company's economic viability.

(d) The application includes a certified statement from the applicant and the current owner describing the steps taken by the parties to ensure that safe operations and continuity of service to customers is maintained.