[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26947]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
 

Study on Interstate Commerce Commission Functions
AGENCY: Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 210(b) of the ``Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform 
Act of 1994,'' (Act) requires the Secretary of Transportation to study 
organizational changes to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), 
including some specified in the Act, that lead to government, 
transportation, or public interest efficiencies. The Department is 
presently seeking public comment on the ICC's report entitled, ``Study 
of Interstate Commerce Commission Regulatory Responsibilities'' dated 
October 25, 1994, and on options for the future locus of ICC functions.

DATES: Comments are due by November 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Docket 49848, Office of 
Documentary Services (C-55), U.S. Department of Transportation, room 
4107, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. The ICC 
Report referenced in this notice may be ordered from Dynamic Concepts, 
room 229, Washington, DC 20423; phone orders 202-289-4357 (cash, check 
or money order). The ICC report can also be accessed electronically 
from the FedWorld Information Network via the internet or with a 
computer and modem. Modem users can dial 703-321-8020, no parity, eight 
databits and one stop bit. After signing on, the report can be accessed 
from the FedWorld MISC Library of Files under the file name 
iccstudy.wp5. Internet users can use the File Transfer Protocol to 
connect to ftp.fedworld.gov (192.239.92.205)/misc/iccstudy.wp5, or 
ftp://fwux.fedworld.gov/pub/misc/iccstudy.wp5.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edward Rastatter, 202-366-4420; Robert Stein, 202-366-4846; or Paul 
Smith, 202-366-9285.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ``Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform 
Act of 1994'' significantly reduced entry requirements into the 
trucking industry and eliminated filing of independently set motor 
carrier tariffs. It also requires the ICC to submit a report to the 
Congress and to the Secretary of Transportation within 60 days of 
enactment, identifying and analyzing all regulatory responsibilities of 
the agency and recommending specific statutory or regulatory functions 
that could be eliminated or restructured.
    Section 210(b) of the Act requires DOT to study the feasibility and 
efficiency of merging the ICC into the DOT as an independent agency, 
combining it with other Federal agencies, retaining the ICC in its 
present form, eliminating the agency and transferring all or some of 
its functions to DOT or other Federal agencies, and other 
organizational changes that lead to government, transportation, or 
public interest efficiencies. This study by DOT shall consider the cost 
savings that might be achieved, the efficient allocation of resources, 
the elimination of unnecessary functions, and responsibility for 
regulatory functions. DOT must solicit comments from the public with 
respect to both the Department's and the Commission's findings. DOT 
must submit the results of its study, together with any recommendations 
to the Congress, within four months after the date of submission of the 
Commission's report required in Section 210(a). Consequently, the 
Department is presently seeking public comment on the Commission's 
report, dated October 25, 1994, as well as options, including those 
listed below, for the future locus of ICC functions and 
responsibilities:
     Retaining ICC in its present form.
     Merging ICC into DOT, but keeping it as an independent 
agency, e.g., like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is part of 
the Department of Energy.
     Merging ICC into DOT but not as an independent agency, 
e.g., either with a separate Administrator or into an existing modal 
administration, such as the Federal Railroad Administration.
     Transferring all or some ICC functions to DOT and/or other 
Federal agencies.
     Combining ICC with other Federal agencies, e.g., Federal 
Maritime Commission.
    At a later date, about mid-January, 1995, the Department will seek 
comment in a Federal Register notice on its preliminary findings.

    Dated: October 26, 1994.
Frank E. Kruesi,
Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy.
[FR Doc. 94-26947 Filed 10-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-M