Section 194. Agents

1.  Each  motor  carrier  providing  transportation of
  household goods subject  to  this  article,  and  any  agent  or  agents
  employed  or  utilized  by it, shall be jointly and severally liable for
  any act or omission or for any violation of this chapter or any order or
  regulation of  the  commissioner  in  connection  with  household  goods
  transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner.
    2. It shall be unlawful for any motor carrier providing transportation
  of household goods to employ any person or motor carrier as an agent who
  or  which  is  not  the  lawful  holder  of an effective probationary or
  permanent certificate to operate as a common carrier of household  goods
  under this article.
    3.  The  provisions  of  section  three  hundred  forty of the general
  business law shall not apply to  discussions  or  agreements  between  a
  motor carrier providing transportation of household goods subject to the
  jurisdiction  of  the  commissioner  under  this  chapter and its agents
  related solely to:
    (a)  rates  for  the  transportation  of  household  goods  under  the
  authority of the principal carrier;
    (b)  accessorial,  terminal,  storage,  or  other charges for services
  incidental to the transportation of household  goods  transported  under
  the authority of the principal carrier;
    (c) allowances relating to the transportation of household goods under
  the authority of the principal carrier; and
    (d) ownership of a motor carrier providing transportation of household
  goods subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter
  by  an  agent, or membership on the board of directors of any such motor
  carrier by an agent.