44282 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 153 / Thursday, August 12, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

than its individual parts. The 

Department’s budget is not unlimited 

and maintaining effective oversight of 

student loan servicers that deal with 

tens of millions of borrower accounts is 

a mammoth task. Further examples 

discussed in the 2018 interpretation 

only underscore this point. For instance, 

the Department has built incentives into 

the servicer contracts to favor betterperforming servicers at the expense of 

poorer-performing ones, to attain higher 

levels of customer satisfaction. See id. 

But by the same token, regulatory 

oversight by the States is likewise 

intended and designed to secure higher 

levels of servicer performance and to 

limit instances of poor customer service 

and other abuses through different 

mechanisms and channels. The same is 

true of the other example highlighted in 

the 2018 interpretation, which explains 

how the Department’s formal complaint 

process can help borrowers elevate 

customer service issues for heightened 

attention and prompt resolution. See id. 

But as with the Department itself, State 

regulators and State attorneys general 

have staff members who are typically 

available to field and respond to 

complaints. Here again, the cumulative 

force of combining these joint efforts 

augments, rather than detracts from, the 

goal of improving customer service. 

The concept of ‘‘cooperative 

federalism’’ laid out here can and 

should also lead to mutual efforts to 

make improvements in other areas of 

student loan servicing that support 

greater access to higher education. The 

core purpose of State laws and 

regulations overseeing student loan 

servicers is to protect their citizens who 

are borrowers of student loans and their 

families. The reason they took out those 

loans in the first place was to secure the 

benefits of higher education and to cope 

with the financial costs involved. 

Consideration of these broader 

objectives reveals many opportunities 

for productive cooperation that can be 

fruitfully pursued between Federal and 

State officials who share these 

objectives and are interested in pursuing 

them jointly. In short, an approach that 

is marked by Federal-State cooperation 

is likely to secure better implementation 

of student aid programs as well as better 

service to borrowers and their families. 

Out of this cooperation may come a 

broader understanding of how these 

mutual efforts can advance the central 

goal of facilitating affordable access to 

higher education for students in every 

part of the country. For these reasons, 

the Department is issuing this 

interpretation with the explicit purpose 

of revoking and superseding the 2018 

interpretation. 

Accessible Format: On request to the 

contact person listed under FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with 

disabilities can obtain this document in 

an accessible format. The Department 

will provide the requestor with an 

accessible format that may include Rich 

Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), 

a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large 

print, audiotape, or compact disc, or 

other accessible format. 

Electronic Access to This Document: 

The official version of this document is 

the document published in the Federal 

Register. You may access the official 

edition of the Federal Register and the 

Code of Federal Regulations via the 

Federal Digital System at 

www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can 

view the document, as well as all other 

documents of this Department 

published in the Federal Register, in 

text or Portable Document Format 

(PDF). To use PDF you must have 

Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is 

available free at the site. 

You may also access documents of the 

Department published in the Federal 

Register by using the article search 

feature at www.federalregister.gov. 

Specifically, through the advanced 

search feature at this site, you can limit 

your search to documents published by 

the Department. 

Miguel Cardona, 

Secretary of Education. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17021 Filed 8–11–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD 

49 CFR Part 1002 

[Docket No. EP 542 (Sub-No. 29)] 

Fees for Services Performed in 

Connection With Licensing and 

Related Services—2021 Update 

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Board updates for 2021 

the fees that the public must pay to file 

certain cases and pleadings with the 

Board. Pursuant to this update, 87 of the 

Board’s 135 fees will decrease, 3 fees 

will increase, and 45 fees will remain at 

their current levels. 

DATES: This final rule is effective 

September 11, 2021. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Laura Mizner, (202) 245–0318, or 

Andrea Pope-Matheson, (202) 245–0363. 

[TDD for the hearing impaired: 1–800– 

877–8339.] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Board’s regulations at 49 CFR 1002.3(a) 

provide for an annual update of the 

Board’s entire user-fee schedule. Fees 

are generally revised based on the cost 

study formula set forth at 49 CFR 

1002.3(d), which looks to changes in 

salary costs, publication costs, and 

Board overhead cost factors. Applying 

that formula, 87 of the Board’s 135 fees 

will decrease, 3 will increase, and 45 

will remain at their current levels. 

Additional information is contained 

in the Board’s decision. To obtain a free 

copy of the full decision, visit the 

Board’s website at www.stb.gov or call 

(202) 245–0245. [Assistance for the 

hearing impaired is available through 

Federal Relay Service: (800) 877–8339.] 

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1002 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Common carriers, Freedom 

of information. 

Decided: August 4, 2021. 

By the Board, Board Members Begeman, 

Fuchs, Oberman, Primus, and Schultz. 

Kenyatta Clay, 

Clearance Clerk. 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, title 49, chapter X, part 1002, 

of the Code of Federal Regulations is 

amended as follows: 

PART 1002—FEES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 1002 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A), (a)(6)(B), 

and 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701; and 49 U.S.C. 1321. 

Section 1002.1(f)(11) is also issued under 5 

U.S.C. 5514 and 31 U.S.C. 3717. 

■ 2. Section 1002.1 is amended by 

revising paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) to 

read as follows: 

§ 1002.1 Fees for records search, review, 

copying, certification, and related services. 

* * * * * 

(a) Certificate of the Records Officer, 

$20.00. 

(b) Services involved in examination 

of tariffs or schedules for preparation of 

certified copies of tariffs or schedules or 

extracts therefrom at the rate of $48.00 

per hour. 

(c) Services involved in checking 

records to be certified to determine 

authenticity, including clerical work, 

etc. incidental thereto, at a rate of 

$33.00 per hour. 

* * * * * 

■ 3. In § 1002.2, revise paragraph (f) to 

read as follows: 

* * * * * 

(f) Schedule of filing fees. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 153 / Thursday, August 12, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 44283 

Type of proceeding Fee 

Part I: Non-Rail Applications or Proceedings to Enter Into a Particular Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement: 

(1) An application for the pooling or division of traffic ............................................................................. $5,400. 

(2)(i) An application involving the purchase, lease, consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of 

a motor carrier of passengers under 49 U.S.C. 14303 ........................................................................ $2,400. 

(ii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 13541 (other than a rulemaking) filed by a non-rail 

carrier not otherwise covered ........................................................................................................ $3,800. 

(iii) A petition to revoke an exemption filed under 49 U.S.C. 13541(d) ........................................... $3,200. 

(3) An application for approval of a non-rail rate association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 13703 .................. $33,900. 

(4) An application for approval of an amendment to a non-rail rate association agreement:.

(i) Significant amendment ................................................................................................................. $5,600. 

(ii) Minor amendment ........................................................................................................................ $100. 

(5) An application for temporary authority to operate a motor carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C. 

14303(i) ................................................................................................................................................. $600. 

(6) A notice of exemption for transaction within a motor passenger corporate family that does not result in adverse changes in service levels, significant operational changes, or a change in the competitive balance with motor passenger carriers outside the corporate family ...................................... $2,000. 

(7)–(10) [Reserved].

Part II: Rail Licensing Proceedings other than Abandonment or Discontinuance Proceedings: 

(11)(i) An application for a certificate authorizing the extension, acquisition, or operation of lines of 

railroad. 49 U.S.C. 10901 ..................................................................................................................... $8,900. 

(ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31–1150.35 ................................................................ $2,100. 

(iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 ........................................................................... $15,400. 

(12)(i) An application involving the construction of a rail line .................................................................. $91,600. 

(ii) A notice of exemption involving construction of a rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36 .................... $2,100. 

(iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 involving construction of a rail line ................ $91,600. 

(iv) A request for determination of a dispute involving a rail construction that crosses the line of 

another carrier under 49 U.S.C. 10902(d) .................................................................................... $350. 

(13) A Feeder Line Development Program application filed under 49 U.S.C. 10907(b)(1)(A)(i) or 

10907(b)(1)(A)(ii) ................................................................................................................................... $2,600. 

(14)(i) An application of a class II or class III carrier to acquire an extended or additional rail line 

under 49 U.S.C. 10902 ......................................................................................................................... $7,500. 

(ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41–1150.45 ................................................................ $2,100. 

(iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 relating to an exemption from the provisions of 

49 U.S.C. 10902 ............................................................................................................................ $8,100. 

(15) A notice of a modified certificate of public convenience and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21– 

1150.24 ................................................................................................................................................. $2,000. 

(16) An application for a land-use-exemption permit for a facility existing as of October 16, 2008 

under 49 U.S.C. 10909 ......................................................................................................................... $7,300. 

(17) An application for a land-use-exemption permit for a facility not existing as of October 16, 2008 

under 49 U.S.C. 10909 ......................................................................................................................... $25,900. 

(18)–(20) [Reserved].

Part III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services Proceedings: 

(21)(i) An application for authority to abandon all or a portion of a line of railroad or discontinue operation thereof filed by a railroad (except applications filed by Consolidated Rail Corporation pursuant to the Northeast Rail Service Act [Subtitle E of Title XI of Pub. L. 97–35], bankrupt railroads, or 

exempt abandonments) ........................................................................................................................ $27,200. 

(ii) Notice of an exempt abandonment or discontinuance under 49 CFR 1152.50 .......................... $4,400. 

(iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 ........................................................................ $7,700. 

(22) An application for authority to abandon all or a portion of a line of a railroad or operation thereof 

filed by Consolidated Rail Corporation pursuant to Northeast Rail Service Act .................................. $550. 

(23) Abandonments filed by bankrupt railroads ....................................................................................... $2,300. 

(24) A request for waiver of filing requirements for abandonment application proceedings ................... $2,200. 

(25) An offer of financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. 10904 relating to the purchase of or subsidy for 

a rail line proposed for abandonment ................................................................................................... $1,900. 

(26) A request to set terms and conditions for the sale of or subsidy for a rail line proposed to be 

abandoned ............................................................................................................................................ $27,800. 

(27)(i) Request for a trail use condition in an abandonment proceeding under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) ....... $350. 

(ii) A request to extend the period to negotiate a trail use agreement ............................................ $550. 

(28)–(35) [Reserved].

Part IV: Rail Applications to Enter Into a Particular Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement: 

(36) An application for use of terminal facilities or other applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102 .............. $23,200. 

(37) An application for the pooling or division of traffic. 49 U.S.C. 11322 .............................................. $12,500. 

(38) An application for two or more carriers to consolidate or merge their properties or franchises (or 

a part thereof) into one corporation for ownership, management, and operation of the properties 

previously in separate ownership. 49 U.S.C. 11324:.

(i) Major transaction .......................................................................................................................... $1,831,500. 

(ii) Significant transaction .................................................................................................................. $366,300. 

(iii) Minor transaction ......................................................................................................................... $8,800. 

(iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d) ........................................................ $2,000. 

(v) Responsive application ................................................................................................................ $8,800. 

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 ........................................................................... $11,400. 

(vii) A request for waiver or clarification of regulations filed in a major financial proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a) ............................................................................................................. $6,800. 


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44284 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 153 / Thursday, August 12, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

Type of proceeding Fee 

(39) An application of a non-carrier to acquire control of two or more carriers through ownership of 

stock or otherwise. 49 U.S.C. 11324:.

(i) Major transaction .......................................................................................................................... $1,831,500. 

(ii) Significant transaction .................................................................................................................. $366,300. 

(iii) Minor transaction ......................................................................................................................... $8,800. 

(iv) A notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d) ..................................................... $1,500. 

(v) Responsive application ................................................................................................................ $8,800. 

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 ........................................................................... $11,400. 

(vii) A request for waiver or clarification of regulations filed in a major financial proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a) ............................................................................................................. $6,800. 

(40) An application to acquire trackage rights over, joint ownership in, or joint use of any railroad 

lines owned and operated by any other carrier and terminals incidental thereto. 49 U.S.C. 11324:.

(i) Major transaction .......................................................................................................................... $1,831,500. 

(ii) Significant transaction .................................................................................................................. $366,300. 

(iii) Minor transaction ......................................................................................................................... $8,800. 

(iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d) ........................................................ $1,400. 

(v) Responsive application ................................................................................................................ $8,800. 

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 ........................................................................... $11,400. 

(vii) A request for waiver or clarification of regulations filed in a major financial proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a) ............................................................................................................. $6,800. 

(41) An application of a carrier or carriers to purchase, lease, or contract to operate the properties of 

another, or to acquire control of another by purchase of stock or otherwise. 49 U.S.C. 11324:.

(i) Major transaction .......................................................................................................................... $1,831,500. 

(ii) Significant transaction .................................................................................................................. $366,300. 

(iii) Minor transaction ......................................................................................................................... $8,800. 

(iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d) ........................................................ $1,600. 

(v) Responsive application ................................................................................................................ $8,800. 

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 ........................................................................... $8,100. 

(vii) A request for waiver or clarification of regulations filed in a major financial proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a) ............................................................................................................. $6,800. 

(42) Notice of a joint project involving relocation of a rail line under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5) ................... $2,800. 

(43) An application for approval of a rail rate association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 10706 ....................... $85,800. 

(44) An application for approval of an amendment to a rail rate association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 

10706:.

(i) Significant amendment ................................................................................................................. $15,800. 

(ii) Minor amendment ........................................................................................................................ $100. 

(45) An application for authority to hold a position as officer or director under 49 U.S.C. 11328 .......... $950. 

(46) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 (other than a rulemaking) filed by rail carrier not 

otherwise covered ................................................................................................................................. $9,800. 

(47) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) conveyance proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562 $350. 

(48) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) compensation proceeding under Section 

402(a) of the Rail Passenger Service Act ............................................................................................ $350. 

(49)–(55) [Reserved].

Part V: Formal Proceedings: 

(56) A formal complaint alleging unlawful rates or practices of carriers:.

(i) A formal complaint filed under the coal rate guidelines (Stand-Alone Cost Methodology) alleging unlawful rates and/or practices of rail carriers under 49 U.S.C. 10704(c)(1) ......................... $350. 

(ii) A formal complaint involving rail maximum rates filed under the Simplified-SAC methodology $350. 

(iii) A formal complaint involving rail maximum rates filed under the Three Benchmark methodology .............................................................................................................................................. $150. 

(iv) All other formal complaints (except competitive access complaints) ......................................... $350. 

(v) Competitive access complaints ................................................................................................... $150. 

(vi) A request for an order compelling a rail carrier to establish a common carrier rate ................. $350. 

(57) A complaint seeking or a petition requesting institution of an investigation seeking the prescription or division of joint rates or charges. 49 U.S.C. 10705 .................................................................. $10,900. 

(58) A petition for declaratory order:.

(i) A petition for declaratory order involving a dispute over an existing rate or practice which is 

comparable to a complaint proceeding ......................................................................................... $1,000. 

(ii) All other petitions for declaratory order ....................................................................................... $1,400. 

(59) An application for shipper antitrust immunity. 49 U.S.C. 10706(a)(5)(A) ......................................... $8,600. 

(60) Labor arbitration proceedings ........................................................................................................... $350. 

(61)(i) An appeal of a Surface Transportation Board decision on the merits or petition to revoke an 

exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) .......................................................................................... $350. 

(ii) An appeal of a Surface Transportation Board decision on procedural matters except discovery rulings ................................................................................................................................. $450. 

(62) Motor carrier undercharge proceedings ........................................................................................... $350. 

(63)(i) Expedited relief for service inadequacies: A request for expedited relief under 49 U.S.C. 

11123 and 49 CFR part 1146 for service emergency .......................................................................... $350.

(ii) Expedited relief for service inadequacies: A request for temporary relief under 49 U.S.C. 

10705 and 11102, and 49 CFR part 1147 for service inadequacy .............................................. $350. 

(64) A request for waiver or clarification of regulations except one filed in an abandonment or discontinuance proceeding, or in a major financial proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a) ........... $700. 

(65)–(75) [Reserved].

Part VI: Informal Proceedings: 


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Type of proceeding Fee 

(76) An application for authority to establish released value rates or ratings for motor carriers and 

freight forwarders of household goods under 49 U.S.C. 14706 .......................................................... $1,500. 

(77) An application for special permission for short notice or the waiver of other tariff publishing requirements ............................................................................................................................................ $150. 

(78)(i) The filing of tariffs, including supplements, or contract summaries .............................................. $1. per page. ($30. min. charge.) 

(ii) The filing of water carrier annual certifications ............................................................................ $30. 

(79) Special docket applications from rail and water carriers:.

(i) Applications involving $25,000 or less ......................................................................................... $75. 

(ii) Applications involving over $25,000 ............................................................................................ $150. 

(80) Informal complaint about rail rate applications ................................................................................. $750. 

(81) Tariff reconciliation petitions from motor common carriers:.

(i) Petitions involving $25,000 or less ............................................................................................... $75. 

(ii) Petitions involving over $25,000 .................................................................................................. $150. 

(82) Request for a determination of the applicability or reasonableness of motor carrier rates under 

49 U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3) .............................................................................................................. $300. 

(83) Filing of documents for recordation. 49 U.S.C. 11301 and 49 CFR 1177.3(c). .............................. $50. per document.

(84) Informal opinions about rate applications (all modes) ...................................................................... $300. 

(85) A railroad accounting interpretation .................................................................................................. $1,400. 

(86)(i) A request for an informal opinion not otherwise covered ............................................................. $1,800. 

(ii) A proposal to use on a voting trust agreement pursuant to 49 CFR 1013 and 49 CFR 

1180.4(b)(4)(iv) in connection with a major control proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a) $6,300. 

(iii) A request for an informal opinion on a voting trust agreement pursuant to 49 CFR 1013.3(a) 

not otherwise covered ................................................................................................................... $600. 

(87) Arbitration of certain disputes subject to the statutory jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation 

Board under 49 CFR 1108:.

(i) Complaint ...................................................................................................................................... $75. 

(ii) Answer (per defendant), Unless Declining to Submit to Any Arbitration .................................... $75. 

(iii) Third Party Complaint ................................................................................................................. $75. 

(iv) Third Party Answer (per defendant), Unless Declining to Submit to Any Arbitration ................ $75. 

(v) Appeals of Arbitration Decisions or Petitions to Modify or Vacate an Arbitration Award ........... $150. 

(88) Basic fee for STB adjudicatory services not otherwise covered ...................................................... $350. 

(89)–(95) [Reserved].

Part VII: Services: 

(96) Messenger delivery of decision to a railroad carrier’s Washington, DC agent ................................ $39. per delivery. 

(97) Request for service or pleading list for proceedings ........................................................................ $30. per list. 

(98) Processing the paperwork related to a request for the Carload Waybill Sample to be used in an 

STB or State proceeding that:.

(i) Annual request does not require a Federal Register (FR) notice:.

(A) Set cost portion .................................................................................................................... $200. 

(B) Sliding cost portion ............................................................................................................... $58. per party. 

(ii) Annual request does require a FR notice:.

(A) Set cost portion .................................................................................................................... $450. 

(B) Sliding cost portion ............................................................................................................... $58. per party. 

(iii) Quarterly request does not require a FR notice:.

(A) Set cost portion .................................................................................................................... $50. 

(B) Sliding cost portion ............................................................................................................... $14. per party. 

(iv) Quarterly request does require a FR notice:.

(A) Set cost portion .................................................................................................................... $230. 

(B) Sliding cost portion ............................................................................................................... $14. per party. 

(v) Monthly request does not require a FR notice:.

(A) Set cost portion .................................................................................................................... $16. 

(B) Sliding cost portion ............................................................................................................... $4. per party. 

(vi) Monthly request does require a FR notice:.

(A) Set cost portion .................................................................................................................... $177. 

(B) Sliding cost portion ............................................................................................................... $4. per party. 

(99)(i) Application fee for the STB’s Practitioners’ Exam ........................................................................ $200. 

(ii) Practitioners’ Exam Information Package .................................................................................... $25. 

(100) Carload Waybill Sample data:.

(i) Requests for Public Use File for all years prior to the most current year Carload Waybill Sample data available, provided on CD–R .......................................................................................... $250. per year. 

(ii) Specialized programming for Waybill requests to the Board ...................................................... $130. per hour. 

* * * * * 

[FR Doc. 2021–17014 Filed 8–11–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4915–01–P 


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