[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10830-10833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4025]



[[Page 10830]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 7)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
With Licensing and Related Services--2001 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Final rules.

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SUMMARY: The Board adopts its 2001 User Fee Update and revises its fee 
schedule at this time to recover the costs associated with the January 
2001 Government salary increases.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective March 22, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Groves, (202) 565-1551, or 
Anne Quinlan, (202) 565-1727. [TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-
8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board's regulations in 49 CFR 1002.3 
require the Board's user fee schedule to be updated annually. The 
Board's regulation at 49 CFR 1002.3(a) provides that the entire fee 
schedule or selected fees can be modified more than once a year, if 
necessary. The Board's fees are revised based on the cost study formula 
set forth at 49 CFR 1002.3(d). Also, in some previous years, selected 
fees were modified to reflect new cost study data or changes in agency 
fee policy.
    Because Board employees received a salary increase of 3.81% in 
January 2001, we are updating our user fees to recover the increased 
personnel costs. With certain exceptions, all fees will be updated 
based on our cost formula contained in 49 CFR 1002.3(d).
    The fee increases involved here result only from the mechanical 
application of the update formula in 49 CFR 1002.3(d), which was 
adopted through notice and comment procedures in Regulations Governing 
Fees for Services--1987 Update, 4 I.C.C.2d 137 (1987). In addition, no 
new fees are being proposed in this proceeding. Therefore, we find that 
notice and comment are unnecessary for this proceeding. See Regulations 
Governing Fees For Services--1990 Update, 7 I.C.C.2d 3 (1990); 
Regulations Governing Fees For Services--1991 Update, 8 I.C.C.2d 13 
(1991); and Regulations Governing Fees For Services--1993 Update, 9 
I.C.C.2d 855 (1993).
    We conclude that the fee changes adopted here will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because the Board's regulations provide for waiver of filing fees for 
those entities that can make the required showing of financial 
hardship.
    Additional information is contained in the Board's decision. To 
obtain a copy of the full decision, write, call, or pick up in person 
from Da-to-Da Office Solutions, Suite 405, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. Telephone: (202) 
466-5530. (Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through TDD 
services 1-800-877-8339.)

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1002

    Administrative practice and procedure, Common carriers, Freedom of 
information, User fees.

    Decided: February 12, 2001.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Clyburn, and 
Commissioner Burkes.
Vernon A. Williams,
 Secretary.

    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) and 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701 and 49 
U.S.C. 721(a).

    2. Section 1002.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), (c), and 
(e)(1) and the table in paragraph (f)(6) to read as follows:


Sec. 1002.1  Fees for record search, review, copying, certification, 
and related services.

* * * * *
    (b) Service involved in examination of tariffs or schedules for 
preparation of certified copies of tariffs or schedules or extracts 
therefrom at the rate of $29.00 per hour.
    (c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to 
determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc., incidental 
thereto, at the rate of $20.00 per hour.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) A fee of $51.00 per hour for professional staff time will be 
charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (6) * * *

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                             Grade                                 Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1...........................................................    $8.52
GS-2...........................................................     9.28
GS-3...........................................................    10.46
GS-4...........................................................    11.74
GS-5...........................................................    13.14
GS-6...........................................................    14.64
GS-7...........................................................    16.27
GS-8...........................................................    18.02
GS-9...........................................................    19.90
GS-10..........................................................    21.92
GS-11..........................................................    24.08
GS-12..........................................................    28.87
GS-13..........................................................    34.33
GS-14..........................................................    40.56
GS-15 and over.................................................    47.71
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* * * * *

    3. In Sec. 1002.2, paragraph (f) is revised as follows:


Sec. 1002.2  Filing fees.

    (a) * * *
    (f) Schedule of filing fees.

[[Page 10831]]



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                   Type of proceeding                           Fee
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Part I: Non-Rail Applications or Proceedings to Enter
 Upon a Particular Financial Transaction or Joint
 Arrangement:
    (1) An application for the pooling or division of             $3,000
     traffic............................................
    (2) An application involving the purchase, lease,              1,400
     consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of
     a motor carrier of passengers under 49 U.S.C. 14303
    (3) An application for approval of a non-rail rate            19,100
     association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 13703.............
    (4) An application for approval of an amendment to a
     non-rail rate association agreement:
    (i) Significant amendment...........................           3,200
    (ii) Minor amendment................................              70
    (5) An application for temporary authority to                    300
     operate a motor carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C.
     14303(i)...........................................
    (6) A notice of exemption for transaction within a             1,200
     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.......................
    (7)-(10) [Reserved]
Part II: Rail Licensing Proceedings other than
 Abandonment or Discontinuance Proceedings:
    (11)(i) An application for a certificate authorizing           5,000
     the extension, acquisition, or operation of lines
     of railroad. 49 U.S.C. 10901.......................
    (ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31-                 1,300
     1150.35............................................
    (iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502..           8,700
    (12)(i) An application involving the construction of          51,500
     a rail line........................................
    (ii) A notice of exemption involving construction of           1,300
     a rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36...................
    (iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502          51,500
     involving construction of a rail line..............
    (13) A Feeder Line Development Program application             2,600
     filed under 49 U.S.C. 10907(b)(1)(A)(i) or
     10907(b)(1)(A)(ii).................................
    (14)(i) An application of a class II or class III              4,300
     carrier to acquire an extended or additional rail
     line under 49 U.S.C. 10902.........................
    (ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41-                 1,300
     1150.45............................................
    (iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502             4,600
     relating to an exemption from the provisions of 49
     U.S.C. 10902.......................................
    (15) A notice of a modified certificate of public              1,200
     convenience and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21-
     1150.24............................................
    (16)-(20) [Reserved]
Part III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of
 Transportation Services Proceedings:
    (21)(i) An application for authority to abandon all           15,300
     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).................
    (ii) Notice of an exempt abandonment or                        2,600
     discontinuance under 49 CFR 1152.50................
    (iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502           4,400
    (22) An application for authority to abandon all or              300
     a portion of a line of a railroad or operation
     thereof filed by Consolidated Rail Corporation
     pursuant to Northeast Rail Service Act.............
    (23) Abandonments filed by bankrupt railroads.......           1,300
    (24) A request for waiver of filing requirements for           1,200
     abandonment application proceedings................
    (25) An offer of financial assistance under 49                 1,000
     U.S.C. 10904 relating to the purchase of or subsidy
     for a rail line proposed for abandonment...........
    (26) A request to set terms and conditions for the            15,600
     sale of or subsidy for a rail line proposed to be
     abandoned..........................................
    (27) A request for a trail use condition in an                   150
     abandonment proceeding under 16 U.S.C.1247(d)......
    (28)-(35) [Reserved]
Part IV: Rail Applications to Enter Upon a Particular
 Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement:
    (36) An application for use of terminal facilities            13,100
     or other applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102........
    (37) An application for the pooling or division of             7,100
     traffic. 49 U.S.C. 11322...........................
    (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...............................       1,030,000
    (ii) Significant transaction........................         206,000
    (iii) Minor transaction.............................           5,500
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR              1,200
     1180.2(d)..........................................
    (v) Responsive application..........................           5,500
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502...           6,500
    (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...............................       1,030,000
    (ii) Significant transaction........................         206,000
    (iii) Minor transaction.............................           5,500
    (iv) A notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR              950
     1180.2(d)..........................................
    (v) Responsive application..........................           5,500
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502...           6,500
    (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...............................       1,030,000
    (ii) Significant transaction........................         206,000
    (iii) Minor transaction.............................           5,500
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR                850
     1180.2(d)..........................................
    (v) Responsive application..........................           5,500
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502...           6,500
    (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...............................       1,030,000
    (ii) Significant transaction........................         206,000

[[Page 10832]]

 
    (iii) Minor transaction.............................           5,500
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR              1,000
     1180.2(d)..........................................
    (v) Responsive application..........................           5,500
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502...           4,600
    (42) Notice of a joint project involving relocation            1,700
     of a rail line under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5)...........
    (43) An application for approval of a rail rate               48,200
     association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 10706.............
    (44) An application for approval of an amendment to
     a rail rate association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 10706:
    (i) Significant amendment...........................           8,900
    (ii) Minor amendment................................              70
    (45) An application for authority to hold a position             500
     as officer or director under 49 U.S.C. 11328.......
    (46) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502            5,500
     (other than a rulemaking) filed by rail carrier not
     otherwise covered..................................
    (47) National Railroad Passenger Corporation                     150
     (Amtrak) conveyance proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562.
    (48) National Railroad Passenger Corporation                     150
     (Amtrak) compensation proceeding under Section
     402(a) of the Rail Passenger Service Act...........
    (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              57,500
     guidelines (Stand-Alone Cost Methodology) alleging
     unlawful rates and/or practices of rail carriers
     under 49 U.S.C. 10704(c)(1)........................
    (ii) All other formal complaints (except competitive           5,700
     access complaints..................................
    (iii) Competitive access complaints.................             150
    (57) A complaint seeking or a petition requesting              5,800
     institution of an investigation seeking the
     prescription or division of joint rates or charges.
     49 U.S.C. 10705....................................
    (58) A petition for declaratory order:
    (i) A petition for declaratory order involving a               1,000
     dispute over an existing rate or practice which is
     comparable to a complaint proceeding...............
    (ii) All other petitions for declaratory order......           1,400
    (59) An application for shipper antitrust immunity.            4,900
     49 U.S.C. 10706(a)(5)(A)...........................
    (60) Labor arbitration proceedings..................             150
    (61) Appeals to a Surface Transportation Board                   150
     decision and petitions to revoke an exemption
     pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(d).....................
    (62) Motor carrier undercharge proceedings..........             150
    (63)-(75) [Reserved]
Part VI: Informal Proceedings:
    (76) An application for authority to establish                   850
     released value rates or ratings for motor carriers
     and freight forwarders of household goods under 49
     U.S.C. 14706.......................................
    (77) An application for special permission for short              90
     notice or the waiver of other tariff publishing
     requirements.......................................
    (78) (i) The filing of tariffs, including                          1
     supplements, or contract summaries (per page) ($17
     minimum charge)....................................
    (ii) Tariffs transmitted by fax (per page)..........               1
    (79) Special docket applications from rail and water
     carriers:
    (i) Applications involving $25,000 or less..........              50
    (ii) Applications involving over $25,000............             100
    (80) Informal complaint about rail rate applications             400
    (81) Tariff reconciliation petitions from motor
     common carriers:...................................
    (i) Petitions involving $25,000 or less.............              50
    (ii) Petitions involving over $25,000...............             100
    (82) Request for a determination of the                          150
     applicability or reasonableness of motor carrier
     rates under 49 U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3)..........
    (83) Filing of documents for recordation. 49 U.S.C.               28
     11301 and 49 CFR 1177.3(c). (per document).........
    (84) Informal opinions about rate applications (all              150
     modes).............................................
    (85) A railroad accounting interpretation...........             750
    (86) An operational interpretation..................           1,000
    (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                  75
     Submit.............................................
    (iii) Third Party Complaint.........................              75
    (iv) Third Party Answer (per defendant), Unless                   75
     Declining to Any Arbitration.......................
    (v) Appeals of Arbitration Decisions or Petitions to             150
     Modify or Vacate an Arbitration Award..............
    (88)-(95) [Reserved]
Part VII: Services:
    (96) Messenger delivery of decision to a railroad                 22
     carrier's Washington, DC, agent (per delivery).....
    (97) Request for service or pleading list for (per                16
     list)..............................................
    (98)(i) Processing the paperwork related to a                    200
     request for the Carload Waybill Sample to be used
     in a Surface Transportation Board or State
     proceeding that does not require a Federal Register
     notice.............................................
    (ii) Processing the paperwork related to a request               450
     for Carload Waybill Sample to be used for reasons
     other than a Surface Transportation Board or State
     proceeding that requires a Federal Register notice.
    (99)(i) Application fee for the Surface                          100
     Transportation Board's Practitioners' Exam.........
    (ii) Practitioners' Exam Information Package........              25
    (100) Uniform Railroad Costing System (URCS)
     software and information:
    (i) Initial PC version URCS Phase III software                    50
     program and manual.................................
    (ii) Updated URCS PC version Phase III cost file, if              10
     computer disk provided by requestor................
    (iii) Updated URCS PC version Phase III cost file,                20
     if computer disk provided by the Board.............
    (iv) Public requests for Source Codes to the PC                  500
     version URCS Phase III.............................

[[Page 10833]]

 
    (v) PC version or mainframe version URCS Phase II...             400
    (vi) PC version or mainframe version Updated Phase                50
     II databases.......................................
    (vii) Public requests for Source Codes to PC version           1,500
     URCS Phase II......................................
    (101) Carload Waybill Sample data on recordable
     compact disk (R-CD):
    (i) Requests for Public Use File on R-CD--First Year             450
    (ii) Requests for Public Use File on R-CD Each                   150
     Additional Year....................................
    (iii) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board or State             650
     proceedings on R-CD--First Year....................
    (iv) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board or State              450
     proceedings on R-CD--Second Year on same R-CD......
    (v) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board of State               500
     proceeding on R-CD--Second Year on different R-CD..
    (vi) User Guide for latest available Carload Waybill              50
     Sample.............................................
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[FR Doc. 01-4025 Filed 2-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P