Document: 513 U.S. 138115 S.Ct. 689130 L.Ed.2d 562 INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION, Petitionerv.TRANSCON LINES et al. No. 93-1318. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Nov. 1, 1994. Decided Jan. 10, 1995. Syllabus * Co., 456 336, 352, 349, 102 1815, 1825, 1823, 72 114. Although not without limits, ICC's judgment that a particular remedy is an appropriate exercise its enforcement authority entitled to some deference. Two substantial reasons support conclusion chosen in this case appropriate. First, it necessary effective regulations. Should injunction be disallowed, trustees bankrupt carriers would immune, effect, from credit Second, serves intended beneficiaries violated regulations: shippers, whom regulations protect imposition penalties warning. Id., at 345-346, 1821-1822, distinguished. Neither Maislin nor Court's other filed rate cases suggest doctrine prohibits ICC requiring departure when enforce specific and valid adopted under Act. Contrary respondents' contention, seeking secret, unfiled place rate, but for shipping over plus collection efforts. Pp. 6-11. 9 F.3d 64, (CA 1993) reversed remanded. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. The Interstate Commerce Act grants petitioner Commission (ICC) set exclusive means by which common extend shippers. Under regulations, may extended periods up 30 days, and, if shippers fail pay, assess interest charges liquidated damages cover costs. In suit enjoin trustee bankruptcy appointed respondent motor carrier, Transcon Lines, collecting Transcon's former customers, asserted had three regulations' procedural requirements: bills did advise consequences late payment; revised were issued within 90 days after expiration authorized period; applied on aggregate basis. District granted summary respondents, Appeals affirmed relevant part, holding decision Industries, U.S., Inc. v. Primary Steel, Inc., 497 116, 110 2759, 111 94, barred enforcing manner prevent rate. On remand Court, adhered determination. Held: does bar seeks. broad bring civil actions statute or orders it. This has specified federal-court require carrier comply with such power. Southern Pacific Transp. Co. Commercial Metals __. Lawrence G. Wallace, Washington, DC, argued petitioner. Leonard L. Gumport, South Pasadena, respondents. Justice KENNEDY 1 Though recent Acts Congress have made changes regulation interstate carriers, see Negotiated Rates 1993, Pub.L. 103-180, 107 Stat. 2044; Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform 1994, 103-311, 108 1683, arises law effect before those enactments. We address once again Act's requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 10761(a), 10762(a)(1), their bearing related provisions applicable transactions here question, required publish rates tariffs receive only published rates. Ibid. Our taught necessity strict compliance scheme. E.g., 94 (1990); Louisville & Nashville R. Maxwell, 237 97, 35 494, 495, 59 L.Ed. 853 (1915). question now presented whether bars obtaining injunctive relief tariff. hold 2 Lines (Transcon) was 12th largest States, operating authorization ICC. Like many became victim heightened competition resulting Congress' partial deregulation industry 1980. See Motor Carrier 1980, 793. May 1990, consented order pursuant involuntary petition against Chapter 11. Bankruptcy followed practice estates sought collect undercharges customers. unpaid freight also payment. Some 3,000 adversary proceedings brought customers are pending, estimates total about $15 million. 3 subject jurisdiction extending services except "[u]nder [ICC] governing payment transportation service preventing discrimination." 10743(b)(1), 10743(a). By express statutory delegation, out detail can C.F.R. pt. 1320 (1992). establish calendar 1320.2(c), (d), pay established period, (or interest) charges, § 1320.2(e). Carriers costs, either tariff rule through contract terms lading. 1320.2(g)(1), (3). Before rule, however, must follow requirements. 4 timing conditions any potential described clearly carrier's 1320.2(g)(2)(i). original bill sent shipper forth assessed failure make timely charges. 1320.3(c). Third, period "issu[e] notice expense payment." 1320.2(g)(2)(vi). Finally, "[s]hall nonpayment original, separate independent shall apply balance-due claims past shipments trustee, person agent. . ." 1320.2(g)(2)(iii). 5 Upon satisfying these one two methods. first "to as additional charge bill." 1320.2(g)(1)(i). second "full, nondiscounted instead discounted [that might otherwise be] applicable." 1320.2(g)(1)(ii). used second, so-called loss-of-discount method damages. measure prescribed regulation. It provides that: 6 "The difference between discount full constitutes effort. identify condition precedent date certain." been charged rates, expressed percentage generic bureau To damages, demanded nondiscount who failed time. 7 sued Central California allege state "rules tariff" "discounts paid shipment." TCON 103-A, Item 210, Supplemental Excerpts Record 41. assert, though, each requirements above. payment, 1320.3(c); until several years 90-day provided 1320.2(g)(2)(vi); provision being basis, contrary requested prohibit pursuing violation 8 Ninth Circuit 990 F.2d 1503 (1993) (as amended denial rehearing en banc). understood general matter injunction, 11702(a)(4), (a)(6). recognized, least implied, face, said "[r]egulations, however contexts, cannot furnish reason letting abandon rate." Transcon, supra, 1514. Relying our (1990), interpreting unreasonable where agreed lower one, court concluded "[t]he interpretation [the damages] no greater force than policy rejected Maislin." F.2d, held "the trumps seeks regulate case." After opinion, we decided Reiter Cooper, 507 ----, 113 1213, 122 604 (1993). addressed shipper's claim could raised amount higher due tariff, proceeding raising defenses accorded Act, even results defeating allowed allege, ordinary rules counterclaims, unreasonable-rate counterclaim undercharge action. ---- - [113 1218-1221]. light Reiter, vacated Appeals' instant remanded further consideration. 10 remand, earlier 64 found distinguishable that, apposite, more balancing argument based F.3d, 66. thought balance tilted favor disallowing relief. A grant would, reasoned, "permit end-run around doctrine" allowing negotiate private while denying still leave "a wide array tools regulations." 67. 11 certiorari, reverse. II 12 Just important respects sequel Maislin, " S.Ct., 1216, 114 (1982). Metals, released goods consignee investigate consignee's standing, required, 1320.1 (1981). 339, 341, n. 6, 1818, 1819, 6. When proved fruitless turned raise defense. defense improper shipper, noting reluctance implied scheme one. 345-348, 1821-1823. went say, quite different involved relief, remedies violations best left resolution thinks proper," ample police practices [by] seek[ing] 1823. conclude exercising powers acknowledged Metals. 13 11702. As respondents themselves concede, attempting Brief Opposition 4-5. extent applies trustee" applying shipments," prospective trustee's 1320.2(g)(2)(iii) aspect is, action—the precise approved lack notification bills, 1320.3(c) (1992), nonissuance 1320.2(g)(2)(vi), too 14 observation choice "best ICC," invocation principle relation peculiarly administrative competence." Phelps Dodge Corp. NLRB, 313 177, 194, 61 845, 852, 85 1271 (1941); American Assns., 467 354, 355, 104 2458, 2459, 81 282 (1984) (ICC "has discretion fashion furtherance responsibilities") (citing Trans Alaska Pipeline Rate Cases, 436 631, 654, 98 2053, 2066, 56 591 (1978)). determine proper 11702(a)(4) agency 15 appears ICC, us, 350, 1824, 1825; Hewitt-Robins Eastern Freight-Ways, 371 84, 88, 83 157, 159-160, 142 (1962) (remedy absence "plac[e] entirely mercy carrier"). Were disallow Relief limited injunctions provide send trustees. Nor do unlawful 10704(b)(1), 11705(b)(3), allow adequate every will result 16 unlike fails notice, beneficiaries. Cf. id., 344-345, 1821-1822 (regulations "intimate [there issue] automatically precludes lawful charge"). 17 short, defend action relying follows construction controlling violations. Where, here, involves regulations," 1824; reasonable regulations; protects believe 18 "flatly inconsistent whole." 131, 2768. policy, just declined permit general, nonstatutory equitable suit. concern undercut whole system, thus permitting negotiated, discriminate certain 130-131, 2768-2769. 19 consistent system compatible operation. comprehensive promulgated it, so justify example, confirmed "assuredly preclude avoidance specifically [Act] itself." 1219 (emphasis deleted). Here, course, rely upon available 'suspended aside' various circumstances. 126, 2765-2766 (quoting Keogh Chicago Northwestern 260 156, 163, 43 47, 49-50, 67 183 (1922)); 360, 2462 ("[T]he conduct investigation into tariff's lawfulness time gone effect," violates cancel nondiscriminatory future. 10704(b)(1)"). 20 Any remaining doubts appropriateness dispelled close examination contention displace substituting agreement so. collected Tr. Oral Arg. 24, effort." 1320.2(g)(1)(ii) (1992); 10743(b)(1) (Act authorizes extension credit—and therefore credit—only regulations). deference Chevron U.S.A. Natural Resources Defense Council, 837, 2778, 694 (1984). Thus, 159-160 (enforcing "hampers efficient administration Act"). III 21 promulgate gives power seek [its credit] Commer- cial 1824 (citation omitted). both "permi[t] very price discrimination prevent." 130, reversed, opinion. 22 ordered. syllabus part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499.

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