Joint resolution Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the States of Virginia and Maryland and the District of Columbia to enter into a compact related to the regulation of mass transit in the Washington, District of Columbia metropolitan area, and for other purposes
PL 86-794 (H.J.Res.402), enacted 09/15/1960

74 S T A T . ] 
P U B U C LAW 8 6 - 7 9 4 - S E P T . 15, 1960 
1031 
such period after the expiration of the contract as is equal to 
the period of the contract, any change in land use from cultivated 
cropland to permanent vegetation carried out under the contract 
shall be considered acreage devoted to the commodity for the 
purposes of establishing future State, county, and farm acreage 
allotments under tlie Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as 
7\j|*c*i2^8i 
amended." 
Approved September 14, 1960. 
Public Law 86-794 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
^ST^Reif 402]° 
Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the States of Virginia and 
Maryland and the District of Columbia to enter into a compact related to the 
regulation of mass transit in the Washington, District of Columbia metropolitan 
area, and for other purposes. 
69 Stat. 33. 
Whereas the re^julation of mass transit service in the metropolitan 
area of Washington, District of Columbia, is divided among the 
public utility regulatory agencies of the States of Virginia, Mary-
land, and tlie District of Columbia and the Interstate Commerce 
Commission; and 
Whereas such divided regulatory responsibility is not conducive to 
the development of an adequate system of mass transit for the entire 
metropolitan area, which is in fact a single integrated, urban 
community; and 
Whereas the Legislatures of Virginia and Maryland and the Board 
of Commissioners of the District of Columbia in 1954 created a Joint 
Commission to study, among other things, whether joint action by 
Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia is necessary or 
desirable in connection with the regulation of passenger carrier 
facilities operating in such areas and the provision of adequate, non-
discriminatory and uniform service therein; and 
"Whereas said Joint Commission has actively participated in the mass 
transit study authorized by the Congress (Public Law 24 and Public 
Law 573, Eighty-fourth Congress), and in furtherance thereof said 
^° ^***' 2'^-
Joint Commission has negotiated the Washington metropolitan area 
transit regulation compact, set forth in full below, providing for 
the establishment of a single organization as the common agency of 
the signatories to regulate transit and alleviate traffic congestion, 
which compact has been enacted by Virginia (ch. 627, 1958 Act of 
Assembly) and in substantially the same language by Maryland 
(ch. 613, Acts of General Assembly 1959) ; and 
Whereas said compact adequately protects the national interest in 
mass transit service in the metropolitan area of the Nation's Capital 
and properly accommodates the National and State interests in and 
obligations toward mass transit in the metropolitan area: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States 
of America 
in Congress assembled,, That the consent and jnTe'rs'ta'te c'^' 
approval of Congress is hereby given to the States of Virginia and pact**^* 
Maryland and to the District of Columbia to enter into a compact, 
substantially as follows, for the regulation and improvement of mass 
transit in the Washington metropolitan area, which compact, known 
as the Washington metropolitan area transit regulation compact, has 
been negotiated by representatives of the States and the District of 
1032 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794~SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
Columbia and has been adopted by the State of Virginia (ch. 627, 
1958 Acts of Assembly), and in substance by the State of Maryland: 
"The States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Colum-
bia, hereinafter referred to as signatories, do hereby covenant and 
agree as follows: 
"TITLE I 
"GENERAL COMPACT PROVISIONS 
"ARTICLE I 
"There is hereby created the Washington Metropolitan Area 
Transit District, hereinafter referred to as Metropolitan District, 
which shall embrace the District of Columbia, the cities of Alexandria 
and Falls Church, the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, and political 
subdivisions of the State of Virginia located within those counties, 
and the counties of Montgomerjr and Prince Georges, in the State of 
Maryland and political subdivisions of the State of Maryland located 
within said counties. 
"ARTICLE II 
"The signatories hereby create the 'Washington Metropolitan Area 
Transit Commission', hereinafter called the Commission, which shall 
be an instrumentality of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
of Virginia and the State of Maryland, and shall have the powers and 
duties set forth in this compact and such additional powei-s and 
duties as may be confeiTed upon it by subsequent action of the signa-
tories. The Commission shall have jurisdiction coextensive with the 
Metropolitan District for the regulation and improvement of transit 
and the alleviation of traffic congestion within the Metropolitan 
District on a coordinated basis, without regard to political boundaries 
witliin the Metropolitan District, as set forth lierein. 
u 
ARTICLE III 
"1. The Commission shall be composed of three members, one mem-
ber each to be appointed by the Governors of Virginia and Mai-yland 
and by the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, from 
that agency of each signatory having jurisdiction over the regulation 
of mass transit within each such lurisdiction. 
The member so 
appointed shall serve for a term coincident with the term of that mem-
ber on such agency of the signatory and any Commissioner may be 
removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the signa-
tory from which he shall be appointed. Vacancies shall be filled for 
an unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. 
"2. No person in the employment of or holding any official relation 
to any person or companv subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission 
or having any interest of any nature in any such person or company or 
affiliate or Jissociate thereof, sliall be eligible to hold the office of Com-
missioner or to serve as an employee of the Commission or to have 
any power or duty or to receive any compensation in relation thereto. 
"3. The Commission shall select a chairman from its membei-ship 
annually. 
Such chairman is vested with the responsibility for the 
discharge of the Commission's work and to that end he is empowered 
with all usual powers to discharge his duties. 
"4. Each signatory hereto may pay the Commissioner therefrom 
such salary or expenses, if any, as it deems appropriate. 
"5. The Commission may employ such engineering, technical, legal, 
clerical, and other personnel on a regular, part-time, or consulting 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 8 6 - 7 9 4 - S E P T . 15, 1960 
1033 
basis as in its judgment may be necessary for the discharge of its 
functions. 
The Commission shall not be bound by any statute or 
regulation of any signatory in the employment or discharge of any 
officer or employee of the Commission, except as such may be con-
tained in this compact. 
"6. The Commission shall establish its office for the conduct of its 
affairs at a location to be determined by the Commission within the 
Metropolitan District and shall publish rules and regulations govern-
ing the conduct of its operations. 
u 
ARTICLE IV 
"1. The expenses of the Commission shall be borne by the signa-
tories in the manner hereinafter set forth. 
The Commission shall 
submit to the Governor of Virginia, the Governor of Maryland and 
the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, at such 
time or times as shall be requested, a budget of its requirements for 
such period as may be required by the laws of the signatories for pre-
sentation to the legislature thereof. 
The expenses of the Commis-
sion shall be allocated among the signatories in the proportion that 
the population of each signatory within the Metropolitan District 
bears to the total population of the Metropolitan District. 
The 
allocation shall be made by the Commission and approved by the 
Governors of the two states and the Board of Commissioners of the 
District of Columbia, and shall be based on the latest available 
population statistics of the Bureau of the Census; provided, however, 
that if current population data are not available, the Commission 
may, upon the request of any signatory, employ estimates of popula-
tion prepared in a manner approved by the Commission and by the 
signatory making such request. 
"2. The signatories agree to appropriate for the expenses of the 
Commission their proper proportion of the budget determined in the 
manner set forth herein and to pay such appropriation to the Com-
mission. 
There shall not be included in the budget of the Commission 
or in the appropriations therefor any sums for the payment of salaries 
or expenses of the Commissioners or members of the Traffic and High-
way Board created by Article V of this Title I and payments to such 
persons, if any, shall be within the discretion of each signatory. 
The 
provisions of section 2-27 of the Code of Virginia shall not apply to 
any official or employee of the Commonwealth of Virginia acting or 
performing services under this Act. 
"3. The expenses allocable to a signatory shall be reduced in an 
amount to be determined by the Commission if a signatory, upon re-
quest of the Commission, makes available personnel, services or 
material to the Commission which the Commission would otherwise 
have to employ or purchase. 
If such services in kind are rendered, 
the Commission shall return to such signatory an amount equivalent 
to the savings to the Commission represented by the contribution in 
kind. 
"4. The Commission shall keep accurate books of account, showing 
in full its receipts and disbursements, and said books of account shall 
be open at any reasonable time for inspection by such representatives 
of the respective signatories as may be duly constituted for that pur-
pose. 
"ARTICLE V 
"1. There is hereby created in addition to the Commission a Traffic 
and Highway Board, hereinafter referred to as Board. 
This Board 
shall be composed of the Chairman of the Commission created by 
article II, who shall be chairman of this Board, and the heads of the 
1034 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
traffic and highway departments of each of the signatories and of the 
counties and cities encompassed within the Metropolitan District, a 
representative of the National Capital Planning Commission, a repre-
sentative of the National Capital Regional Planning Council, and a 
representative of each local and regional planning commission within 
the District. 
The representatives of the various planning commis-
sions shall be designated by each such commission. 
The official in 
charge of the traffic and highway department of each of the signatories 
may appoint a member of his staff to serve in his stead with full voting 
powers. 
"2. The Board shall make recommendations to the Commission with 
respect to traffic engineering, including the selection and use of 
streets for transit routing, the requirements for transit service 
t hroughout the Metropolitan District, and related matters. The Board 
shall also consider problems referred to it by the Commission and 
shall continuously study means and methods of shortening transit 
travel time, formulate plans with respect thereto, and keep the Com-
pact Commission fully advised of its plans and conclusions. 
"3. The Board shall serve the Commission solely in an advisory 
capacity. The Commission shall not direct or compel the Board or its 
members to take any particular action with respect to effectuating 
changes in traffic engineering and related matters, but the members 
of the Board in their capacity as officials of local government agencies 
shall use their best efforts to effectuate the recommendations and 
objectives of the Commission. 
"4. The members of the Board shall serve with or without addi-
tional compensation as determined by their respective signatories. 
a ARTICLE VI 
"No action by the Commission shall be of effect unless a majority 
of the members concur therein; provided, that any order entered by 
the Commission pursuant to the provisions of title II hereof, relating 
to or which affect operations or matters solely intrastate or solely 
within the District of Columbia, shall not be effective unless the Com-
missioner from the signatory affected concurs therein. Two members 
of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 
(( 
ARTICLE VII 
"Nothing herein shall be construed to amend, alter, or in any wise 
affect the power of the signatories and the political subdivisions 
thereof to levy and collect taxes on the property or income of any 
person or company subject to this Act or upon any material, equip-
ment or supplies purchased by such person or companies or to levy, 
assess and collect franchise or other similar taxes, or fees for the 
licensing of vehicles and the operation thereof. 
(( 
ARTICLE VIII 
"This compact shall be adopted by the signatories in the manner 
provided by law therefor. 
This compact shall become effective ninety 
(90) days after its adoption by the signatories and consent thereto by 
the Congress of the United States, including the enactment by the 
Congress of such legislation, if any, as it may deem necessary to grant 
this Commission jurisdiction over transportation in the District of 
Columbia and between the signatories and over the persons engaged 
therein, to suspend the applicability of the Interstate Commerce Act, 
the laws of the District of Columbia, and any other laws of the United 
States, to the persons, companies and activities which are subject 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 8 6 - 7 9 4 - S E P T . 15, 1960 
1035 
to this Act, to the extent that such laws are inconsistent with, or in 
duplication of, the jurisdiction of the Commission or any provision of 
this Act, or any rule, regulation or order lawfully prescribed or issued 
under this Act, and to make effective the enforcement and review 
provisions of this Act. 
"ARTICLE IX 
"1. This compact may be amended from time to time without the 
prior consent or approval of the Congress and any such amendment 
shall be effective unless, within one year thereof, the Congress dis-
approves such an amendment. 
No amendment shall be effective 
unless adopted by each of the signatories hereto. 
"2. Any signatory may withdraw from the compact upon one year's 
written notice to that effect to the other signatories. 
In the event 
of a withdrawal of one of the signatories from the compact, the com-
pact shall be terminated. 
"3. Upon the termination of this compact, the jurisdiction over the 
matters and persons covered by this Act shall revert to the signatories 
and the Federal Government, as their interests may appear, and the 
applicable laws of the signatories and the Federal Government shall 
be reactivated without further legislation. 
(( 
ARTICLE X 
"Each of the signatories pledges to each of the other signatory 
parties faithful cooperation in the solution and control of transit 
and traffic problems within the Metropolitan District and, in order 
to effect such purposes, agrees to enact any necessary legislation to 
achieve the objectives of the compact to the mutual benefit of the 
citizens living within said Metropolitan District and for tjie advance-
ment of the interests of the signatories hereto. 
u ARTICLE XI 
"1. If any part or provision of this compact or the application 
thereof to any person or circumstances be adjudged invalid by any 
court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in 
its operation to the part, provision or application directly involved 
in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered 
and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this 
compact or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances 
and the signatories hereby declare that they would have entered into 
this compact or the remainder thereof had the invalidity of such 
provision or application thereof be^n apparent. 
"2. In accordance with the ordinary rules for construction of 
interstate compacts, this compact shall be liberally construed to 
eliminate the evils described therein and to effectuate the purposes 
thereof. 
"TITLE I I 
"COMPACT REGULATORY PROVISIONS 
"ARTICLE XII 
"Transportation Covered 
"1. (a) This Act shall apply to the transportation for hire by any 
carrier of persons between any points in the Metropolitan District 
and to the persons engaged in rendering or performing such trans-
portation service, except— 
49 u s e 1 et seq. 
1036 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
"(1) transportation by water; 
"(2) transportation by the Federal Government, the signa-
tories hereto, or any political subdivision thereof; 
"(3) transportation by motor vehicles employed solely in trans-
porting school children and teachers to or from public or private 
schools; 
"(4) transportation performed in the course of an operation 
over a regular route, the major portion of which is outside the 
Metropolitan District except where a major portion of the pas-
senger traffic begins and ends within the Metropolitan District; 
" (5) transportation performed by a common carrier by railroad 
?
"
* f^^l'.^"^^- 
subject to part I of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended. 
AQ IT S t : I *»/ jaf»rt 
'/ / I 
\ 
ILT 
• 
1
*
1
' 
1
*
4 
(b) No transportation or person, otherwise subject to this Act, 
shall be exempt by reason of the fact that any part (not a major part 
as conditionally exempted by paragraph (a) (4) of this section) of 
the route between points in the Metropolitan District lies outside of 
the Metropolitan District; provided, however, that the provisions of 
this title I I shall not apply to transportation as specified m this section 
solely within the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the activities of 
persons engaged in such transportation, nor shall any provision of 
this title II be construed to infringe the exercise of any powers or the 
discharge of any duties conferred or imposed upon the State Corpora-
tion Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Virginia 
constitution. 
"(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion, this Act shall apply to taxicabs and other vehicles having a seat-
ing capacity of eight passengers or less in addition to the driver thereof 
with respect only to (i) the rates or charges for transportation from 
one signatory to another within the confines of the Metropolitan Dis-
trict, and (ii) requirements for minimum insurance coverage. 
"Definitions 
"2. As used in this Act— 
"(a) The term 'carrier' means any person who engages in the trans-
portation of passengers for hire by motor vehicle, street railroad, 
or other form or means of conveyance. 
"(b) The term 'motor vehicle' means any automobile, bus, or other 
vehicle propelled or drawn by mechanical or electrical power on the 
public streets or highways of the Metropolitan District and used for 
the transportation of passengers. 
"(c) The term 'street railways' means any streetcar, bus, or other 
similar vehicle propelled or drawn by electrical or mechanical power 
on rails and used for transportation of passengers. 
"(d) The term 'taxicab' means any motor vehicle for hire (other 
than a vehicle operated, with the approval of the Commission, between 
fixed termini on regular schedules) designed to carry eight persons or 
less, not including the driver, used for the purpose of accepting or 
soliciting passengers for hire in transportation subject to this Act, 
along the public streets and highways, as the passengers may direct. 
"(e) The term 'person' means any individual, firm, copartnership, 
corporation, company, association or joint stock association; and 
includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative 
thereof. 
"General Duties of Carriers 
"3. It shall be the duty of every carrier to furnish transportation 
subject to this Act as authorized by its certificate and to establish 
reasonable through routes with other carriers; to provide safe and 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
1037 
adequate service, equipment, and facilities in connection with such 
transportation; to establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable 
individual and joint fares, and just and reasonable regulations and 
practices relating thereto; and, in case of joint fares, to establish just 
reasonable, and equitable devisions thereof as between the carriers 
participating therein which shall not unduly prefer or prejudice any 
of such carriers. 
"Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity; Routes 
and Services 
"4. (a) No person shall engage in transportation subject to this Act 
unless there is in force a certificate of public convenience and necessity 
issued by the Commission authorizing such person to engage in such 
transportation; provided, however, that if any person was bona fide 
engaged in transportation subject to this Act on the effective date of 
this Act, the Commission shall issue such certificate without requiring 
further proof that public convenience and necessity will be served by 
such operation, and without further proceedings, if application for 
such certificate is made to the Commission within 90 days after the 
effective date of this Act. 
Pending the determination of any such 
application, the continuance of such operation shall be lawful. 
"(b) \^nien an application is made under this section for a cer-
tificate except with respect to a service being rendered upon the effec-
tive date of this Act, the Commission shall issue a certificate to any 
qualified applicant therefor, authorizing the whole or any part of the 
transportation covered by the application, if it finds, after hearing 
held upon reasonable notice, that the applicant is fit, willing and able 
to perform such transportation properly and to conform to the pro-
visions of this Act and the rules, regulations, and requirements of the 
Commission thereunder, and that such transportation is or will be 
required by the public convenience and necessity; otherwise such 
application shall be denied. The Commission shall act upon appli-
cations under this subsection as speedily as possible. The Commission 
shall have the power to attach to the issuance of a certificate and to 
the exercise of the rights granted thereunder such reasonable terms 
and conditions as the public convenience and necessity may require; 
provided, however. That no terms, conditions, or limitations shall 
restrict the right of the carrier to add to his or its equipment and 
facilities over the routes, between the termini, or within the territory 
specified in the certificate, as the development of the business and the 
demands of the public shall require. 
"(c) Application for a certificate under this section shall be made 
in writing to the Commission and shall be so verified, shall be in such 
form, and shall contatn such information, as the Commission by regu-
lations shall require. The Commission shall prescribe such reasonaole 
requirements as to notices, publication, proof of service, and informa-
tion as in its judgment may be necessary. 
"(d) (1) Any certificate issued by the Commission shall specify the 
service to be rendered and the routes over which, the fixed termini, if 
any, between which, and the intermediate and off-route points, if any, 
at which, and in case of operations not over specified routes or between 
fixed termini, the territory within which, the carrier is authorized to 
operate. 
"(2) A certificate for the transportation of passengers may include 
authoritv to transport in the same vehicle with the passengers, news-
papers, baggage of passengers, express, or mail, or to transport bag-
gage of passengers in a separate vehicle. 
1088 
PUBUC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
"(3) To enable the provision of service for which there is an 
immediate and urgent need to a point or points or within a territory 
having no carrier service capable of meeting such need, the Commis-
sion may, in its discretion and without hearmgs or other proceedings,' 
grant temporary authority for such service. Such temporary author-
ity unless suspended or revoked for good cause, shall be valid for such 
time as the Commission shall specify, but for not more than an aggre-
gate of 180 days and create no presumption that corresponding perma-
nent authority will be granted thereafter. 
"(e) The Commission may, if it finds that the public convenience 
and necessity so require, require any person subject to this Act to 
extend any existing service or provide any additional service over 
additional routes within the Metropolitan District; provided, however, 
that no certificate shall be issued to operate over the routes of any 
holder of a certificate until it shall be proved to the satisfaction of 
the Commission, after hearing, upon reasonable notice, that the serv-
ice rendered by such certificate holder, over such route, is inadequate 
to the requirements of the public necessity and convenience; and 
provided, further, if the Commission shall be of opinion that the 
service rendered by such certificate holder over such route is in any 
respect inadequate to tlie requirements of the public necessity and 
convenience, such certificate holder shall be given reasonable time 
and opportunity to remedy such inadequacy before any certificate 
shall be granted to operate over such route; and further provided that 
no person subject to this Act may be required to extend any existing 
service or provide any additional service over additional routes within 
the Metropolitan District unless the carrier is currently earning a 
reasonable return on its operation as a whole in performing trans-
portation subject to this Act. 
"(f) The Commission may refer to the Traffic and Highway Board 
created under Title I hereof any service proposed under an applica-
tion for a certificate. 
The Board shall as speedily as possible give the 
Commission its recommendations with respect to the proposed service, 
but such recommendations shall be advisory only. 
"(g) Certificates shall be effective from date specified therein and 
shall remain in effect until suspended or terminated as herein pro-
vided. 
Any such certificate, may, upon application of the holder 
thereof, in the discretion,of the Commission, be amended or revoked, 
in whole or in part, or may, upon complaint, or on the Commission's 
own initiative, after notice and hearing, be suspended, changed, or 
revoked, in whole or in part, for wilful failure to comply with any law-
ful order, rule, or regulation of the Commission, or with any term, 
condition, or limitation of such certificate; provided however, that no 
certificate shall be revoked (except upon application of the holder) 
unless the holder thereof wilfully fails to comply, within a reasonable 
time, not less than 30 days, to be fixed by the Commission, with a 
lawful order of the Commission commanding obedience to the rules 
or regulations or orders of the Commission, or to the terms, conditions, 
or limitations of such certificajte found by the Commission to have been 
violated by such holder. 
No certificate shall be issued to an applicant 
proposing to operate over the routes of any holder of a certificate unless 
and until it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Commission, 
after hearing upon reasonable notice, that the service rendered by 
such certificate holder, over such route, is inadequate to the require-
ments of the public convenience and necessity; and provided, further, 
if the Commission shall be of the opinion that the service rendered by 
such certificate holder over such route is in any respect inadequate to 
the requirements of the public convenience and necessity, such certifi-
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
1039 
cate holder shall be given reasonable time and opportunity to remedy 
such inadequacy before any certificate shall be granted to an applicant 
proposing to operate over such route. 
"(h) No certificate under this section may be transferred unless 
such transfer is approved by the Commission as being consistent with 
the public interest. 
"(i) No carrier shall abandon any route specified in a certificate 
issued to such carrier under this section, unless such carrier is author-
ized to do so by an order issued by the Commission. The Commis-
sion shall issue such order, if upon application by such carrier, and 
after notice and opportunity for hearing, it finds that the abandon-
ment of such route is consistent with the public interest. 
The Com-
mission, by regulations or otherwise, may authorize such temporary 
suspensions of routes as may be consistent with the public interest. 
The fact that a carrier is operating a route or furnishing a service at 
a loss shall not, of itself, determine the question of whether abandon-
ment of the route or service over the route is consistent with the public 
interest as long as the carrier earns a reasonable return. 
"Schedule of Fares, Regulations, and Practices 
"5. (a) Each carrier shall file with the Commission, and print, and 
keep open to public inspection, tariffs showing (1) all fares it charges 
for transportation subject to this Act, including any joint fares estab-
lished for through routes over which it performs transportation sub-
ject to this Act in conjunction with another carrier, and (2) to the 
extent required by regulations of the Commission, the regulations and 
practices of such carrier affecting such fares. 
Such tariffs shall be 
filed, posted, and published in such form and manner, and shall con-
tain such information, as the Commission by regulations shall pre-
scribe. The (commission may reject any tariff so filed which is not 
consistent with this section and such regulations. Any tariff so 
rejected shall be void. 
"(b) Each carrier which, immediately prior to the effective date of 
this section, was engaged in transportation specified in section 1(a) 
of this Title II, shall file a tariff m compliance with paragraph (a) 
of this Section 5 within ninety (90) days after such date. The fares 
shown in such tariff shall be the fares which such carrier was author-
ized to charge, immediately prior to such date, under the law under 
which it was then regulated, and the regulations and practices affect-
ing such fares which shall be shown in such tariff shall be such of the 
regulations and practices, then in effect under such law, as the Com-
mission shall by regulations require. 
Such tariff shall become effective 
upon filing. Pending the filing of such tariff, the fares which such 
carrier was authorized to charge immediately prior to the effective 
date of this Act under the law under which it was then regulated, and 
the regulations and practices relating to such fares, shall be the lawful 
fares and practices and regulations. 
"(c) Every carrier shall keep currently on file with the Commission, 
if the Commission so requires, the established divisions of all joint 
fares for transportation subject to this Act in which such carrier 
participates. 
"(d) No carrier shall charge, for any transportation subject to this 
Act, any fare other than the applicable fare specified in a tariff filed 
by it under this section and in effect at the time. During the period 
before a tariff filed by it under this section has become effective, no 
carrier referred to in subsection (b) shall charge, for any transporta-
tion subject to this Act, any fare other than the fare which it was 
1040 
PUBUC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
authorized to charge for such transportation immediately prior to the 
effective date of this section, under the law under which it was then 
regulated. 
"(e) Any carrier which desires to change any fare specified in a 
tariff filed by it under this section, or any regulation or practice speci-
fied in any such tariff affecting such a fare, shall file a tariff in com-
pliance with this section, showing the change proposed to be made and 
shall give notice to the public of the proposed change by posting and 
filing such tariff in such manner as the Commission may by rule, 
regulation or order provide. Each tariff filed under this subsection 
shall State a date on which the new tariff shall take effect, and such 
date shall be at least thirty (30) days after the date on which the 
tariff is filed, unless the Commission by order authorizes its taking 
effect on an earlier date. 
"Power to Prescribe Fares, Regulations, and Practices 
"6. (a)(1) The Commission, upon complaint or upon its own initia-
tive, may suspend any fare, regulation, or practice shown in a tariff 
filed with it under Section 5 (except a tariff to which Section 5(b) 
applies), at any time before such fare, regulation, or practice would 
otherwise take effect. Such suspension shall be accomplished bv filing 
with the tariff, and delivered to the carrier or carriers affected thereby, 
a notification in writing of such suspension. In determining whether 
any proposed change shall be suspended, the Commission shall give 
consideration to, among other things, the financial condition of the 
carrier, its revenue requirements, and whether the carrier is being 
operated economically and efficiently. The period of suspension shall 
terminate ninety (90) days after the date on which the fare, regula-
finds that any fare, regulation or practice relating thereto, so sus-
pended is unjust, unreasonable, or unduly preferential or unduly dis-
criminatory either between riders or sections of the Metropolitan Dis-
trict, it shall issue an order prescribing the lawful fare, regulation, or 
practice to be in effect. The fare, regulation, or practice so prescribed 
shall take effect on the date specified in such order. If such an order 
has not been issued within the ninety (90) day suspension period pro-
vided for in paragraph (1), the Commission may from time to time 
extend such period, but in any event the suspension period shall termi-
nate, no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date 
the fare, regulation or practice involved was suspended. If no such 
order is issued within the suspension period (including any extension 
thereof), the fare, regulation or practice involved shall take effect 
at the termination of such period. 
"(3) In the exercise of its power to prescribe just and reasonable 
fares and regulations and practices relating thereto, tlie Commission 
shall give due consideration, among other factors, to tlie inherent ad-
vantages of transportation by such carriers; to the effect of rates upon 
the movement of traffic by the carrier or carriers for which the rates 
are prescribed; to the need, in the public interest, of adequate and 
efficient transportation service by such carriers at the lowest cost 
consistent with the furnishing of such service; and to the need of 
revenue sufficient to enable such carriers, under honest, economical, and 
efficient management, to provide such service. 
"(4) It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative policy that in 
order to assure the Metropolitan District of an adequate transj)orta-
tion system operating as private enterprises the carriers therein, in 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 8 6 - 7 9 4 - S E P T . 15, 1960 
1041 
accordance with standards and rules prescribed by the Commission, 
should be afforded the opportunity of earning such return as to make 
the carriers attractive investments to private investors. As an incident 
thereto, the opportunity to earn a return of at least 6l^ per centum net 
after all taxes proj)erly chargeable to transportation operations, 
including but not limited to income taxes, on gross operating revenues, 
shall not be considered unreasonable. 
"(b) Whenever, upon complaint, or upon its own initiative, and 
after hearing held upon reasonable notice, the Commission finds that 
any individual or joint fare in effect for transportation subject to this 
Act, or any regulation or practice affecting such fare, is unjust, 
unreasonable or unduly preferential or unduly discriminatory, the 
Commission shall issue an order prescribing the lawful fare, regula-
tion, or practice thereafter to be in effect. 
"Through Koutes, Joint Fares 
"7. (a) In order to encourage and provide adequate transit service 
on a Metropolitan District-wide basis, any carrier may establish 
through routes and joint fares with any other carrier subject to this 
Act or the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the 
State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or 
the Public Service Commission of the State of Maryland. 
"(b) Whenever required by the public convenience and necessity, 
the Commission, upon complaint or upon its own initiative, and after 
hearing held upon reasonable notice, may establish through routes 
and joint fares tor transportation subject to this Act, and the regula-
tions or practices affecting such fares, and the terms and conditions 
under which such through routes shall be operated. 
"(c) Whenever, upon complaint or upon its own initiative, and 
after hearing upon reasonable notice, the Commission is of the opin-
ion that the divisions of any joint fare for transportation subject to 
this Act are or will be unjust, unreasonable, inequitable, or unduly 
P
referential or prejudicial as between the participating carriers, the 
ommission shall prescribe the just, reasonable and equitable divi-
sions thereof to be received by the participating carriers. The Com-
mission may require the adjustment of divisions between such car-
riers from the date of filing the complaint or entry of the order of 
investigation, or such other date subsequent thereto as the Commission 
finds to be just, reasonable and equitable. 
"Taxicab Fares 
"8. The Commission shall have the duty and the power to prescribe 
reasonable rates for transportation by taxicab only between a point 
in the jurisdiction of one signatory party and a point in the juris-
diction of another signatory party provided both points are within 
the Metropolitan District. 
The fare or charge for such transporta-
tion may be calculated on a mileage basis, a zone basis, or on any 
other basis approved by the Commission; provided, however, that the 
Cx>mmission shall not require the installation of a taximeter in any 
taxicab when such a device is not permitted or required by the juris-
diction licensing and otherwise regulating the operation and service 
of such taxicab. 
"Security for the Protection of the Public 
"9. (a) No certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be 
issued under Section 4, and no certificate issued under such section 
48232 0-61-66 
1042 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
shall remain in force, unless the person applying for or holding such 
certificate complies with such reasonable regulations as the Commis-
sion shall prescribe governing the filing and approval of surety bonds, 
policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer or other securities 
or agreements, in such reasonable amount as the Commission may 
require, conditioned to paj, within the amount of such surety bonds, 
policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer or othervsecurities 
or agreements, any final judgment recovered against such motor carrier 
for bodily injuries to or the death of any person, or for loss or damage 
to property of others, resulting from the operation, maintenance, or 
use of motor vehicles, street cars, or other equipment or facilities 
utilized in furnishing transportation subject to this Act. 
"(b) No taxicab shall be permitted to transport passengers between 
a point in the jurisdiction of a signatory to a point in the jurisdiction 
of another signatory within the Metropolitan District unless the taxi-
cab and the person or persons licensed by any signatory to own and/or 
operate such taxicab shall comply with such reasonable regulations 
as the Commission shall prescribe governing the filing and approval 
of surety bonds, policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer, 
or other securities or agreements, in such reasonable amounts as the 
Commission may require, conditioned to pay within the amount of such 
surety bondsj policies of insurance, qualifications as a self-insurer or 
other securities or agreements, any final judgment recovered against 
such taxicab for bodily injuries to or the death of any person, or for 
loss or damage to property of others, resulting from the operation, 
maintenance or use of taxicabs utilized in furnishing transportation 
subject to this Act. 
"Accounts, Kecords and Reports; Depreciation 
"10, (a) The Commission may require annual or other periodic 
reports, and special reports, from any carrier; prescribe the manner 
and form in which such reports shall be made; and require from any 
such carrier specific answers to all questions upon which the Commis-
sion deems information to be necessary. 
Such reports shall be under 
oath whenever the Commission so requires. 
"(b) Each carrier subject to the Commission shall keep such 
accounts, records, and memoranda with respect to activities in which 
it is engaged (whether or not such activities constitute transportation 
subject to this Act), including accounts, records, and memoranda of 
the movement of traffic, as well as of the receipts and expenditures 
of money, as the Commission by regulation prescribes. The Com-
mission shall by regulation prescribe the form of such accounts, 
records, and memoranda, and the length of time that such accounts, 
records, and memoranda shall be preserved. 
"(c) The Commission shall prescribe regulations requiring carriers 
to maintain appropriate accounting reserves against depreciation. 
The Commission may prescribe the classes of property for which 
depreciation charges may properly be included under operating 
expenses and the rate of depreciation which shall be charged with 
respect to each of such classes of property, and may classify the 
carriers as it may deem proper for this purpose. The Commission 
may, when it deems necessary, modify the classes and rates so pre-
scribed. 
Carriers shall not charge to operating expenses any de-
preciation charges on classes of property other than those prescribed 
by the Commission, or charge with respect to any class of property 
a rate of depreciation other than that prescribed therefor by the Com-
mission, and no carrier shall include under operating expenses any 
depreciation charge other than as prescribed by the Commission. 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 8 6 - 7 9 4 - S E P T . 15, 1960 
1043 
"(d) At all times the Commission and each of its members shall 
have access to all lands, buildings, and equipment of all carriers, and 
to all accounts, records, and memoranda kept by such carriers. When 
authorized by the Commission to do so, any employee of the Com-
mission may inspect any such land, buildings, equipment, accounts, 
records, and memoranda. 
This section shall apply, to the extent 
found by the Commission to be reasonably necessary for the adminis-
tration of this Act, to any person controlling, controlled by or under 
common control with, any carrier. 
"(e) Any carrier which operates both inside and outside of the 
metropolitan area and which has its principal office outside of the 
metropolitan area, may keep all of its accounts, records, and memo-
randa at such principal office but shall produce such accounts, records, 
and memoranda before the Commission whenever the Commission 
shall so direct. 
"(f) Nothing in this section shall relieve any carrier from the 
obligations imposed upon it with respect to the matters covered in 
this section by any State or Federal regulatory commission in connec-
tion with transportation service rendered outside the metropolitan 
district. 
"Issuance of Securities 
"11. (a) As used in this section the term 'securities' means stocks; 
stock certificates; or bonds, mortgages, other evidences of indebtedness 
payable in more than one year from the date of issuance, except obli-
gations covered by conditional sales contracts, or any guaranty of or 
assumption of liability on any of the foregoing. 
"(b) Subject to subsection (g) of this section, no carrier subject to 
this Act shall issue any securities, or directly or indirectly receive any 
money, property, or services in payment of securities issued or to be 
issued by it, until the Commission, by order, shall have approved the 
issuance of such securities. 
"(c) Upon application made to it by any such carrier for approval 
of the issuance of securities, the Commission, after affording reason-
able opportunity for hearing to interested parties, shall by order 
approve or disapprove the issuance of such securities. The Com-
mission shall give its approval if it finds that the proposed issuance of 
securities is not contrary to the public interest. 
"(d) Any such order of the Commission approving the issuance of 
securities shall specify the purposes for which the proceeds from the 
sale or other disposition thereof are to be used and the terms and 
conditions under which such securities shall be issued and disposed 
of. 
It shall be unlawful for the aj>plicant to apply such proceeds, or 
to issue or dispose of such securities, in any manner other than as 
specified by the Commission in its order. 
"(e) Any securities issued in violation of this section shall be void. 
"(f) Nothing in this Act shall impair any authority of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission, the Public Service Commission of Mary-
land, or the State Corporation Commission of Virginia to regulate the 
issuance of securities by any carrier which does not operate exclusively 
in the Metropolitan District, or relieve any carrier from the obliga-
tions imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Act of 
May 27,1933, C. 38 Title I, 48 Stat. 74, as amended), or from the obli- 
is use 77a. 
gations imposed by any Blue Sky or similar laws of the signatories. 
"(g) The Commission may by regulation, order or otherwise, to the 
extent deemed by it to be consistent with the public interest, exempt 
from the operation of this section any carrier which does not operate 
exclusively in such area and which, before issuing securities, must 
1044 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
obtain the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the 
Public Service Commission of Maryland, or the State Corporation 
Commission of Virginia. 
"Consolidations, Mergers, and Acquisition of Control 
"12. (a) It shall be unlawful, without approval of the Commission 
in accordance with this section— 
"(1) for two or more carriers, any one of which operates in 
the Metropolitan District, to consolidate or merge their proper-
ties or franchises, or any part thereof, into one person for the 
ownership, management, or operation of properties theretofore 
under separate ownership, management, or operation; or 
"(2) for any carrier which operates in the Metropolitan Dis-
trict or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common 
control with, such a carrier (i) to purchase, lease, or contract to 
operate the properties, or any substantial part thereof, of any 
carrier which operates in such Metropolitan District, or (ii) to 
acquire control, through ownership of its stock or otherwise, of 
any carrier which operates in such Metropolitan District. 
"(b) Any person seeking approval of any transaction to which 
subsection (a] applies shall make application to the Commission in 
accordance with such regulations as the Commission shall prescrib3. 
If, after hearing held upon reasonable notice, the Commission finds 
that, subject to such terms, conditions, and modifications as it shall 
find to be necessary, the proposed transaction is consistent with the 
public interest, it shall enter an appropriate order approving and 
authorizing such transaction as so conditioned. 
"(c) It shall be unlawful to continue to maintain or exercise any 
ownership, management, operation or control accomplished or effectu-
ated in violation of subsection (a) of this section. 
"(d) Pending the determination of an application filed with the 
Commission for approval of a consolidation or merger of the prop-
erties of two or more motor carriers, or of a purchase, lease, or con-
tract to operate the properties of one or more motor carriers, the Com-
mission may, in its discretion, and without hearings or other proceed-
ings, grant temporary approval, for a period not exceeding 180 days 
of the operation of the motor carrier properties sought to be acquired 
by the person proposing in such pending application to acquire such 
properties, if it shall appear that failure to grant such temporary 
approval may result in destruction of or injury to such motor carrier 
properties sought to be acquired, or to interfere substantially with 
their future usefulness in the performance of adequate and continuous 
service to the public. 
Complaints and Investigations by the Commission 
"13. (a) Any person may file with the Commission a complaint in 
writing with respect to anything done or omitted to be done by any 
person in contravention of any provision of this Act, or of any require-
ment established pursuant thereto. If the person complained against 
shall not satisfy the copiplaint and there shall appear to be any rea-
sonable grounds for an investigation, the Commission shall investigate 
the matters complained of. Whenever the Commission is of the opin-
ion that any complaint does not state facts which warrant action on 
its part, it may dismiss the complaint without hearing. At least ten 
(10) days before the date it sets a time and place for a hearing on a 
complaint, the Commission shall notify the person complained of that 
the complaint has been made. 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
1045 
"(b) The Commission may investigate any facts, conditions, prac-
tices, or matters which it may find necessary or proper in order to 
determine whether any person has violated or is about to violate any 
provision of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, or 
to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act or in prescrib-
ing rules or regulations thereunder, or in obtaining information to 
serve as a basis for recommending further legislation. 
The Commis-
sion shall have the same power to proceed with any investigation 
instituted on its own motion as though it had been appealed to by 
complaint. 
"(c) If, after affording to interested persons reasonable opportunity 
for hearing, the Commission finds in any investigation instituted upon 
complaint or upon its own initiative, that any person has failed to 
comply with any provision of this Act or any requirement established 
pursuant thereto, the Commission shall issue an appropriate order to 
compel such person to comply therewith. 
"(d) For the purpose of any investigation or any other proceeding 
under this Act, any member of the Commission, or any other officer 
designated by it, is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, 
subpena w^itnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require 
the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, 
contracts, agreements, or other records which the Commission finds 
relevant or material to the inquiry. 
"Hearings; Eules of Procedure 
"14. Hearings under this Act may be held before the Commission, 
any member or members thereof, or any representative of the Com-
mission designated by it, and appropriate records thereof shall be 
kept. 
All hearings, investigations, and proceedings under this Act 
shall be governed by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by 
the Commission, and in the conduct thereof the technical rules of 
evidence need not be applied. 
No informality in any hearing, in-
vestigation, or proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony shall 
invalidate any order, decision, rule, or regulation issued under the 
authority of this Act. 
"Administration Powers of Commission; Kules, Regulations and 
Orders 
"15. The Commission shall have power to perform any and all acts, 
and to prescribe, issue, make, amend, and rescind such orders, rules, 
and regulations as it may find necessary or appropriate to carry out 
the provisions of this Act. 
Such rules and regulations may prescribe 
the form or forms of all statements, declarations, applications, and 
reports to be filed with the Commission, the information which they 
shall contain, and the time within which they shall be filed. Unless 
a different date is specified therein, rules and regulations of the Com-
mission shall be effective thirty (30) days after publication in the 
manner which the Commission shall prescribe. 
Orders of the Com-
mission shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the 
Commission shall prescribe. 
For the purposes of its rules and regu-
lations, the Commission may classify persons and matters within its 
jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different classes 
of persons or matters. 
All rules and regulations of the Commission 
shall be filed with its secretary and shall be kept open in convenient 
form for public inspection and examination during reasonable busi-
ness hours. 
1046 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, I960 
[74 S T A T . 
"Reconsideration of Orders 
"16. Any person affected by any final order or decision of the Com-
mission may, within thirty days after the publication thereof, file 
with the Commission an application in writing requesting a recon-
sideration of the matters involved, and stating specifically the errors 
claimed as grounds for such reconsideration. 
No person shall in any 
court urge or rely on any ground not so set forth in such application. 
The Commission, within thirty (30) days after the filing of such 
application, shall either grant or deny it. 
If such application is 
granted, the Commission, after giving notice thereof to all interested 
persons, shall, eitlier with or without hearing, rescind, modify, or 
affirm its order or decision. The filing of such an application shall 
act as a stay upon the execution of the order or decision of the Com-
mission until the final action of the Commission upon the application, 
except that upon written consent of the applicant such order or 
decision shall not be stayed unless otherwise ordered by the Commis-
sion. 
No appeal shall lie from any order of the Commission until an 
application for reconsideration has been made and determined. 
"Judicial Review 
"17. (a) Any party to a proceeding under this Act aggrieved by an 
order issued by the Commission in such proceeding may obtain a re-
view of such order in the court of appeals of the United States for the 
fourth circuit, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the Dis-
trict of Columbia, by filin^j in such court, within sixty (60) days 
after the order of the Commission upon the application for rehearing, 
a written petition praying that the order of tlie Commission be modi-
fied or set aside. A copy of such petition shall forthwith be served 
upon any member of the Commission and thereupon the Commission 
shall certify and file with the court a transcript of the record upon 
which the order complained of was entered. 
Upon the filing of such 
transcript such court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to affirm, modify, 
or set aside such order. 
The finding of the Commission as to the facts, 
if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive. 
If any 
party shall apply to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, 
and shall show to the satisfaction of the court that such additional 
evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for failure 
to adduce such evidence in the proceedings before the Commission, 
the court may order such additional evidence to be taken before the 
Commission and to be adduced upon the hearing in such manner and 
upon such terms and conditions as to the court may seem proper. 
The Commission may modify its findings as to the facts by reason of 
the additional evidence so taken, and it shall file with the court such 
modified or new findings, which if supported by substantial evidence, 
shall be conclusive, and its recommendations, if any, for the modifica-
tion or setting aside of the original order. 
The court may affirm or 
set aside any such order of the Commission, and state the reasons 
therefor, and such judgment shall be final, subject to review by the 
Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification 
as provided in sections 239 and 240 of the Judicial Code, as amended 
" vie iih. 
(U.S.C. Title 28, sections 346 and 347). 
"(b) The commencement of proceedings under subsection (a) of 
this section shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate 
as a stay of the Commission's order. 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
1047 
"(c) The Commission shall not, nor shall any of its members, 
officers, agents, or employees, be taxed with any costs, nor shall they 
or any of them be required to give any supersedeas bond or security 
for cost or damages on any appeal whatsoever taken under this com-
pact. 
Said Commission, or any of its members, officers, agents, or 
employees, shall not be liable to suit or action or for any judgment or 
decree for any damages, loss, or injury claimed by any person resulting 
from action taken under this compact, nor required in any case arising 
under this compact to make any deposit for costs or pay for any 
service to the clerks of any court or to the marshal of the United 
States. 
"Enforcement of Act; Penalty for Violations 
"18. (a) Whenever it shall appear to the Commission that any 
person is engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices which 
constitute or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this Act, 
or of any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, it may, in its discretion, 
bring an action in the United States District Court for any district in 
which such person resides or carries on business or in which the viola-
tion occurred, to enjoin such acts or practices and to enforce compli-
ance with this Act or any rule, regulation or order thereunder, and 
upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary injunction or 
decree or restraining order shall be granted without bond. 
"(b) Upon application of the Commission, the United States 
District Court for any district in which such person resides or carries 
on business, or in which the violation occurred, shall have jurisdiction 
to issue appropriate order or orders commanding any person to comply 
with the provisions of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order of the 
Commission thereunder. 
"(c) The Commission may employ such attorneys as it finds neces-
sary for proper legal aid and service of the Commission or its mem-
bers in the conduct of their work, or for proper representation of the 
public interest in investigations made by it, or cases or proceedings 
pending before it, whether at the Commission's own instance or upon 
complaint, or to appear for or represent the Commission in any case 
in court; and the expenses of such employment shall be paid out of 
any funds of the Commission. 
"(d) Any person knowingly and willfully violating any provision 
of this statute, or any rule, regulation, requirement, or order thereto, 
or any term or condition of any certificate shall, upon conviction 
thereof, be fined not more than $100 for the first offense and not more 
than $500 for any subsequent offense. Each day of such violation shall 
constitute a separate offense. 
"Expenses of Investigations and Other Proceedings 
"19. (a) All reasonable expenses of any investigation, or other pro-
ceeding of any nature, conducted by the Commission, of or concerning 
any carrier, and all expenses of any litigation, including appeals, aris-
ing from any such investigation or other proceeding, shall be borne by 
such carrier. 
Such expenses, with interest at not to exceed 6 per 
centum (6%) per annum may be charged to operating expenses and 
amortized over such period as the Commission shall deem proper and 
be allowed for in the rates to be charged by such carrier. When any 
such investigation or other proceeding has been initiated it shall 
be the duty of the carrier to pay to the Commission, from time to time, 
such reasonable sum or sums as, in the opinion of the Commission, are 
necessary to cover the expenses which by this section are required to be 
1048 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
borne by such carrier. 
The money so paid by the carrier shall be 
deposited in the name and to the credit of the Commission, in any 
bank or other depository located in the Metropolitan District desig-
nated by the Commission, and may be disbursed by the Commission for 
the purpose of defraying expenses of the investigation, proceeding, or 
litigation in question. Any unexpended balance of the sum or sums 
so paid by such carrier remaining after the payment of such expenses 
shall be returned to such carrier. 
"(b) The amount expended by the Commission in any calendar year 
in all investigations or other proceedings of or concerning any one 
carrier shall not exceed— 
" (1) one-half of one per centum of the gross operating revenues 
of such carrier, derived from transportation subject to this Act, 
for its last preceding fiscal year; or 
"(2) in the case of a carrier which was not engaged in such 
transportation during the whole of its last preceding fiscal year, 
one-half of 1 per centum of the average gross operating revenues, 
derived from transportation subject to this Act, of all other car-
riers (exclusive of carriers to which this subparagraph (2) 
applies) for their last preceding fiscal year. 
"(c) For the purpose of subsections (a) and (b) of this section— 
"The provisions of this section shall apply to any person engaged in 
transportation subject to the Act and any person who makes applica-
tion under Section 4 for a certificate of public convenience and 
necessity. 
"Applicability of Other Laws 
"20. (a) Upon the date this Act becomes effective, the applica-
bility of all laws of the signatories, relating to or affecting transporta-
tion subject to this Act and to persons engaged therein, and all rules, 
regulations and orders promulgated or issued thereunder, shall except 
to the extent in this Act specified, be suspended, except that— 
"(1) The laws of the signatories relating to inspection of 
equipment and facilities, wages and hours of employees, insurance 
or similar security requirements, school fares, and free transpor-
tation for policemen and firemen shall remain in force and effect. 
"(2) Upon the date this Act becomes effective. Certificates of 
Public Convenience and Necessity or Permits issued by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission to any carrier subject to the juris-
diction of this Commission shall be suspended only during the 
existence of this compact, provided such suspension shall not 
affect the authority of such certificate or permit-holder to trans-
port special and chartered parties as now authorized by the 
901^ V
o
^
o
i ^123° ^' 
Interstate Commerce Act and the rules and regulations promul-
gated thereunder by the Interstate Commerce Commission, not-
withstanding any other provisions of this Act. 
"(b) In the event any provision or provisions of this Act exceed 
the limits imposed upon the legislature of any signatory by the Con-
stitution of such signatory, the obligations, duties, powers or juris-
diction sought to be conferred by such provision or provisions upon 
the Commission shall be ineffective and such obligations, duties, powers 
or jurisdiction shall remain in the signatory and shall be exercised 
by the agency thereof to which such obligations, duties, powers or 
jurisdiction are delegated by law in effect at the time this compact 
becomes effective. 
Such agency, however, in order to achieve the 
objective of this compact to effectuate the regulation of mass transit 
on a unified and coordinated basis throughout the Metropolitan Dis-
trict, shall refer to the Commission for its recommendations all 
matters arising under this Title so reserved to such signatory and all 
74 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 16, 1960 
1049 
matters exempted from this Title pursuant to the proviso clause of 
Section 1(b) of this Title. 
The recommendations of the Commission 
with respect to such matters shall be advisory only. 
"Existing Eules, Regulations, Orders, and Decisions 
"21. All rules, regulations, orders, decisions, or other action pre-
scribed, issued, made, or taken by the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion, the Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia, the 
Public Service Commission of Maryland, or the State Corporation 
Commission of Virginia, and which are in force at the time this 
section takes effect, with respect to transportation or persons subject 
to this Act, shall remain in effect, and be enforceable under this Act 
and in the manner specified by this Act, according to their terms, as 
though they had been prescribed, issued, made, or taken by the 
Commission pursuant to this Act, unless and until otherwise provided 
by such Commission in the exercise of its powers under this Act. 
"Transfer of Records 
"22. The Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia, 
the Interstate Commerce Commission, the State Corporation Commis-
sion of Virginia, and the Public Service Commission of Maryland 
shall transfer or make available to the Commission such of their 
records as pertain to matters which by this Act are placed under the 
jurisdiction of the latter Commission. 
"Pending Actions or Proceedings 
"23. (a) No suit, action, or other judicial proceeding commenced 
prior to the date this Act takes effect by or against the Public Utilities 
Commission of the District of Columbia, the Interstate Commerce 
Commission, the Public Service Commission of Maryland, or the State 
Corporation Commission of Virginia, or any officer of any such 
commission in his official capacity or in relation to his discharge of 
official duties, shall be affected by the enactment of this compact and 
same shall be prosecuted and determined in accordance with the law 
applicable at the time such proceeding was commenced. 
"(b) To the extent that the Commission determines such action to 
be necessary or appropriate in the exercise of the powers and duties 
vested in or imposed upon it by this Act, such Commission shall con-
tinue and carry to a conclusion any proceeding, hearing, or investiga-
tion which, at the time this compact takes effect, is pending before the 
Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia, the Interstate 
Commerce Commission, the Public Service Commission of Maryland, 
or the State Corporation Commission of Virginia. 
In the event the 
Commission assumes jurisdiction in any such case, it shall be gov-
erned by the provisions of this compact and not by the provisions of 
law applicable at the time the proceedings were instituted. 
"Annual Report of the Commission 
"24. The Commission shall make an annual report to the Governor 
of Virginia and the Governor of Maryland, and to the Board of Com-
missioners of the District of Columbia as soon as practicable after 
the 1st day of January of each year, which shall contain, in addition 
to a report of the work performed under this Act, such other infor-
mation and recommendations concerning passenger transportation 
within the Metropolitan District, as the Commission deems advisable." 
1050 
PUBLIC LAW 86-794-SEPT. 15, 1960 
[74 STAT. 
SEC. 2. The Commissioners of the District of Columbia are author-
ized and directed to enter into and execute on behalf of the United 
States for the District of Columbia a compact substantially as set 
forth above with the States of Virginia and Maryland and are further 
authorized and directed to carry out and effectuate the terms and pro-
visions of said compact, and there are hereby authorized to be appro-
Sriated such funds as are necessary to carry out the obligations of the 
)istrict of Columbia in accordance with the terms of the said compact: 
Provided^ That the said Commissioners shall not adopt any amend-
ment to the said compact for the District of Columbia under the provi-
sions of section 1 of article I X of the compact unless the said amend-
ment has had the consent or approval of the Congress. 
SEC. 3. That, upon the effective date of the compact and so long there-
after as the compact remains effective, the applicability of the laws of 
the United States, and the rules^ regulations, and orders promulgated 
thereunder, relating to or affecting transportation under the compact 
and to the persons engaged therein, including those provisions of sec-
tion 6(e) of the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925, as amended 
by the Act approved February 27,1931 (46 Stat. 1426; Sec. 40-603 (e), 
D.C. Code, 1951 edition), relating to the powers of the Public Utilities 
Commission of the District of Columbia and the Joint Board created 
under such section, is suspended, except as otherwise specified in the 
compact, to the extent that such laws, rules, regulations, and orders 
are inconsistent with or in duplication of the provisions of the com-
pact : Provided^ That upon the termination of the compact, the sus-
pension of such laws, rules, regulations, and orders, if not theretofore 
repealed, shall terminate and such laws, rules, regulations, and orders 
shall thereupon again become applicable and legallj?^ effective without 
further legislative or administrative action: Provided further. 
That 
nothing in this Act or in the compact shall affect the normal and ordi-
nary police powers of the signatories and of the political subdivisions 
thereof and of the Director of the National Park Service with respect 
to the regulation of vehicles, control of traffic and use of streets, high-
ways, and other vehicular facilities: Provided further^ That nothing 
in this Act or in the compact consented to and approved hereby shall 
impair or affect the rights, duties, and obligations created by the Act 
of 3vlj 24, 1956 (ch. 669, 70 Stat. 598), wanting a franchise to D.C. 
Transit System, Inc.: Provided /wr^Aer, That the term "public inter-
est" as used in section 12(b) of article XII, title 11 of tne Compact 
shall be deemed to include, among other things, the interest of the car-
rier employees affected: Arid provided fwrtker^ That nothing herein 
shall be deemed to render inapplicable any laws of the United States 
providing benefits for the employees of any carrier subject to this com-
pact or relating to the wages, hours, and working conditions of em-
ployees of any carrier, or to collective bargaining between the carriers 
and said employees, or to the rights to self-organization, including, but 
sta/. Ifoeb. "*' '^ ^^*' limited to» the Labor-Management Kelations Act, 1947, as amended, 
29 use 141,201. and the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended. Notwithstanding any 
provision of this section to the contrary, the jurisdiction of the I^iblic 
Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia and of the Interstate 
Commerce Commission over all carriers and persons subject to the 
provisions of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation 
Compact are hereby transferred, as and to the extent provided therein, 
to the "Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission. 
strike a. 
gj,^, ^ rj,j^^ conseiit and approval of Congress set forth in the first 
section of this Act is given on the express condition that sections 
4(d) (3) and 12(d) of article X I I of such compact shall not be used 
to break a lawful strike by the employees of any carrier authorized 
to provide service pursuant to such compact. 
74 STAT.3 
PUBLIC LAW 86-795-SEPT. 15, 1960 
1051 
SEC. 5. The consent of Congress is granted upon the condition that, 
within three years from the date of this enactment, section 1(a) (4) 
of article X I I of the compact be amended as set forth below, and, 
in the event the compact is not so amended within such specified time, 
the suspension of the applicability of the laws of the United States, 
and the rules, regulations or orders promulgated thereunder shall 
terminate with respect to the transportation specified below and any 
carrier whose only transportation over a regular route within the 
Metropolitan District is such transportation shall not be deemed a 
carrier subject to the compact: 
"(4) transportation performed in the course of an operation 
over a regular route between a point in the Metropolitan District 
and a point outside the Metropolitan District, including trans-
portation between points on such regular route within the 
Metropolitan District, if authorized by certificate of public con-
venience and necessity or permit issued by the Intei*state Com-
merce Commission, as to interstate and foreign commerce, and 
any carrier whose only transportation within the Metropolitan 
District is within this exemption shall not be deemed to be a 
carrier subject to the compact." 
SEC. 6. Jurisdiction is hereby conferred (1) upon the United States co'Lrts* ^'^*'"°" °^ 
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States Court 
of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, respectively, to 
review orders of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commis-
sion as provided by section 17, article XII, title II, of the Washington 
metropolitan area transit regulation compact, and (2) upon the United 
States district courts to enforce the provisions of said title I I as 
provided in section 18, article X I I , title II, of said compact. 
SEC. 7. (a) The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby 
expressly reserved. 
(b) The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission shall 
submit to Congress copies of all periodic reports made by that Commis-
sion to the Governors, the Commissioners of the District of Columbia 
and/or the legislatures of the compacting States. 
(c) The Congress or any committee thereof shall have the right 
to require the disclosure and furnishing of such information by the 
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission as is deemed 
appropriate by the Congress or any of its committees. 
Further, 
Congress or any of its committees shall have access to all books, records 
and papers of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission 
as well as the right of inspection of any facility use, owned, leased, 
regulated or under the control of said Commission. 
Approved September 15, 1960. 
Public Law 86-795 
A N A C T 
September IS, I960 
To suspend for a temi>orary period the import duty on heptanoic acid, and for 
[H. R. 12659] 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That heptanoic acid, 
Heptanoiic acid, 
provided for in paragraph 1 of the Tariff Act of 1930, shall be ad- uon!"" ^'^"P^"" 
mitted free of duty if entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
'J| ^|*- f^o-
consumption, after the date of the enactment of this Act and before 
the expiration of the three-year period beginning on the day after 
such date. 
'• Reports to Con-
gress.