Order 25613 - Midwest Moving Company, LLC: Authority to Operate as a Motor Carrier of Property

DECISION AND ORDER

Hearing Officer:         Gregory S. Schultz, Esq.

Hearing Held:             February 10, 2026

Appearances:               Midwest Moving Company, LLC, Applicant

Dylan Connell, CFO/member

I.                   INTRODUCTION

II.                JURISDICTION

III.             DISCUSSION

R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-12-7 requires that an applicant be fit, willing, and able to operate in intrastate commerce as a common carrier of property in order to obtain a certificate of operating authority from the Division. Midwest Moving Company, LLC is a foreign limited liability company in good standing with the Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State as of the date of this Decision and Order.

Mr. Dylan Connell, CFO/member of Midwest Moving, testified on behalf of the Applicant.  Mr. Connell provided a summary of the history of Midwest Moving.  He explained that he started the company with Matthew Dorso, CEO (current address of 105 Marina Lane, Mooresville, NC 28117) and Cody Anderson, COO (current address of 27W13 Manchester Road, Windfield, IL 60190).  The business started in North Dakota approximately a decade ago and now does business in numerous states.  Mr. Connell stated that Midwest Moving works as a local mover of numerous types of goods.

Mr. Connell stated that Midwest Moving now wishes to operate this business in Rhode Island because he now lives in the state.

A review of Mr. Connell’s Background Criminal Investigation (BCI) report contains no criminal convictions in Rhode Island.  He further stated that he has no other state or federal criminal convictions relevant to this matter.  Mr. Brown further testified that his driving record contains no accidents or significant motor vehicle violations within the last six (6) years.

Mr. Connell further testified that he does not believe that Mr. Dorso or Mr. Anderson have had any state or federal criminal convictions relevant to this matter, and no accidents or significant motor vehicle violations within the last six (6) years.  

Mr. Connell further testified that he is now aware of the Division’s regulations “Transportation Provided by Motor Carriers of Property” (815-RICR-50-05-1).

No objections to this application have been made by any members of the public.

IV.             FINDINGS OF FACT

1.      On or about January 28, 2026, the Applicant filed an application with Division seeking a certificate of operating authority to operate as a common carrier of property pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 39-12-6 et seq.

2.      A hearing was held on February 10, 2026, in the Division’s offices located at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. The Applicant was represented by the Applicant’s member/CFO, Dylan Connell.

3.      The Applicant is a foreign limited liability company in good standing with the Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State.

4.      Mr. Dorso and Mr. Anderson are also members and officers of the Applicant.

V.                CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

After a careful review of the record in this proceeding, the Division finds that the Applicant has met the burden of proving that it is fit, willing and able to operate as a common carrier of property, specifically to transport household goods and office furniture/goods across routes within the State of Rhode Island.

Accordingly, it is

1.      The application of Midwest Moving Company, LLC, with a mailing address of 5 Bluff Street, Riverside, Rhode Island 02840 and business address of 633 13^th Street NE, West Fargo, ND 58078, seeking authority to operate as a common carrier of property within the State of Rhode Island is approved.

2.      Within ninety (90) calendar days of the effective date of this Decision and Order, and before commencing operations within the State of Rhode Island, the Applicant must accomplish the following: 

a.       The Applicant must hand deliver to the Division proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) that conforms to the minimum insurance requirements set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-12-27.

b.      The Applicant must register the vehicle(s) it intends to operate under its motor carrier of property Certificate of Operating Authority with the Motor Carrier Section of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. Each vehicle must be appropriately marked in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-12-26.

c.       In addition, the Applicant is reminded that it must comply with all provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-12-1 et seq. in the conduct of its regulated transportation services.  An inspection by the Division of Motor Vehicles is required before these vehicles may be operated within Rhode Island.

3.      If the conditions set forth in paragraph 2, above, are not met within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days from the issuance date of this Decision and Order, the approval granted herein will be of no further force and effect.

4.      The Applicant is expected to familiarize itself with the Division’s “Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Property by Motor Carriers of Property” (“Rules”) and observe such Rules in the conduct of its regulated transportation services.  A copy of the Rules may be obtained through the Division’s website, the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website, or through the Clerk of the Division’s Motor Carrier Section.

DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND FEBRUARY 18, 2026.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF JUDICIAL REVIEW

(PROVIDED PURSUANT TO R.I. GEN. LAWS § 42-35-12)

Please be advised that if you are aggrieved by this final decision (report and order) of the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (“Division”) you may seek judicial review of the Division’s final decision by filing an appeal with the Rhode Island Superior Court.  You have thirty (30) days from the mailing date (or hand delivery date) of the Division’s final decision to file your appeal.  The procedures for filing the appeal are set forth in Rhode Island General Laws, Section 42-35-15.

Proceedings for review may be instituted by filing a complaint in the Superior Court of Providence or Kent Counties.  Copies of the complaint must be served upon the Division and all other parties of record in your case.  You must serve copies of the complaint within ten (10) days after your complaint is filed with the Superior Court.

Please be advised that the filing of a complaint (appeal) with the Superior Court does not itself stay enforcement of the Division’s final decision. You may, however, seek a stay from the Division and/or from the Court.

The judicial review shall be conducted by the Superior Court without a jury and shall be confined to the record.  The Court, upon request, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.