[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8145-8148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3807]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 2)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
With Licensing and Related Services--1998 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Final rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Board adopts its 1998 User Fee Update and revises its fee 
schedule at this time to recover the cost associated with the January 
1998 Government salary increases.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective March 20, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Groves, (202) 565-1551, or 
Anne Quinlan, (202) 565-1652. [TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 565-
1695.]

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 regulations in 49 CFR 1002.3(a) provide 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 Board 
or Interstate Commerce Commission fee policy.
    Because Board employees received a salary increase of 2.45% in 
January 1998, we are updating our user fees to recover our increased 
personnel cost. 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). Therefore, we 
believe that notice and comment is 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, which are being adopted here, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities

[[Page 8146]]

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 DC News & Data, Inc., Suite 210, Surface Transportation Board, 
1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20423-0001. Telephone: (202) 289-
4357. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through TDD 
services (202) 565-1695.]

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1002

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

    Decided: February 9, 1998.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice Chairman Owen
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 (a) and (e)(1) 
and the chart in paragraph (f)(6) to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (a) Certificate of the Secretary, $11.00.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) A fee of $45.00 per hour for professional staff time will be 
charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (6) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Grade              Rate              Grade              Rate 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1......................    $7.55  GS-9......................   $17.63
GS-2......................     8.22  GS-10.....................    19.41
GS-3......................     9.26  GS-11.....................    21.32
GS-4......................    10.40  GS-12.....................    25.56
GS-5......................    11.63  GS-13.....................    30.39
GS-6......................    12.97  GS-14.....................    35.92
GS-7......................    14.41  GS-15 and over............    42.25
GS-8......................    15.96                                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    2. In Sec. 1002.2 paragraph (f) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 1002.2  Filing fees.

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Type of proceeding                          Fee           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART I: Non-Rail Applications or Proceedings                            
 to Enter Upon a Particular Financial                                   
 Transaction or Joint Arrangement:                                      
                                                                        
    (1) An application for the pooling or      $2,800                   
     division of traffic.                                               
    (2) An application involving the           1,300                    
     purchase, lease, 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-  17,900                   
     rail rate association agreement. 49                                
     U.S.C. 13706.                                                      
    (4) An application for approval of an                               
     amendment to a non-rail rate association                           
     agreement:                                                         
        (i) Significant amendment............  3,000                    
        (ii) Minor amendment.................  60                       
    (5) An application for temporary           300                      
     authority to operate a motor carrier of                            
     passengers. 49 U.S.C. 14303(i).                                    
    (6)-(10) [Reserved]                                                 
                                                                        
PART II: Rail Licensing Proceedings other                               
 than Abandonment or Discontinuance                                     
 Proceedings:                                                           
                                                                        
    (11) (i) An application for a certificate  4,700                    
     authorizing the extension, acquisition,                            
     or operation of lines of railroad. 49                              
     U.S.C. 10901.                                                      
        (ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR  1,200                    
         1150.31-1150.35.                                               
        (iii) Petition for exemption under 49  8,100                    
         U.S.C. 10502.                                                  
    (12) (i) An application involving the      48,300                   
     construction of a rail line.                                       
        (ii) A notice of exemption involving   1,200                    
         construction of a rail line under 49                           
         CFR 1150.36.                                                   
        (iii) A petition for exemption under   48,300                   
         49 U.S.C. 10502 involving                                      
         construction of a rail line.                                   
    (13) A Feeder Line Development Program     2,600                    
     application 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   4,000                    
     class III carrier to acquire an extended                           
     or additional rail line under 49 U.S.C.                            
     10902.                                                             
        (ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR  1,200                    
         1150.41-1150.45.                                               
        (iii) Petition for exemption under 49  4,300                    
         U.S.C. 10502 relating to an                                    
         exemption from the provisions of 49                            
         U.S.C. 10902.                                                  
    (15) A notice of a modified certificate    1,100                    
     of public 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   14,300                   
     abandon all or a portion of a line of                              
     railroad or discontinue operation                                  
     thereof filed by a railroad (except                                
     applications filed by Consolidated Rail                            
     Corporation pursuant to the Northeast                              
     Rail Service Act [Subtitle E of Title XI                           
     of Pub. L. 97-35], bankrupt railroads,                             
     or exempt abandonments.                                            
        (ii) Notice of an exempt abandonment   2,400                    
         or discontinuance under 49 CFR                                 
         1152.50.                                                       
        (iii) A petition for exemption under   4,100                    
         49 U.S.C. 10502.                                               
    (22) An application for authority to       300                      
     abandon all or a portion of a line of a                            
     railroad or operation thereof filed by                             
     Consolidated Rail Corporation pursuant                             
     to Northeast Rail Service Act.                                     
    (23) Abandonments filed by bankrupt        1,200                    
     railroads.                                                         
    (24) A request for waiver of filing        1,100                    
     requirements for abandonment application                           
     proceedings.                                                       
    (25) An offer of financial assistance      1,000                    
     under 49 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            14,600                   
     conditions for the sale of or subsidy                              
     for a rail line proposed to be abandoned.                          
    (27) A request for a trail use condition   150                      
     in an 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    12,300                   
     facilities or other applications under                             
     49 U.S.C. 11102.                                                   
    (37) An application for the pooling or     6,600                    
     division of traffic. 49 U.S.C. 11322.                              

[[Page 8147]]

                                                                        
    (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................  966,700                  
        (ii) Significant transaction.........  193,300                  
        (iii) Minor transaction..............  5,000                    
        (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction   1,100                    
         under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).                                        
        (v) Responsive application...........  5,000                    
        (vi) Petition for exemption under 49   6,100                    
         U.S.C. 10502.                                                  
    (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................  966,700                  
        (ii) Significant transaction.........  193,300                  
        (iii) Minor transaction..............  5,000                    
        (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction   900                      
         under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).                                        
        (v) Responsive application...........  5,000                    
        (vi) Petition for exemption under 49   6,100                    
         U.S.C. 10502.                                                  
    (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................  966,700                  
        (ii) Significant transaction.........  193,300                  
        (iii) Minor transaction..............  5,000                    
        (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction   800                      
         under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).                                        
        (v) Responsive application...........  5,000                    
        (vi) Petition for exemption under 49   6,100                    
         U.S.C. 10502.                                                  
    (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................  966,700                  
        (ii) Significant transaction.........  193,300                  
        (iii) Minor transaction..............  5,000                    
        (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction   950                      
         under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).                                        
        (v) Responsive application...........  5,000                    
        (vi) Petition for exemption under 49   4,300                    
         U.S.C. 10502.                                                  
    (42) Notice of a joint project involving   1,600                    
     relocation of a rail line under 49 CFR                             
     1180.2(d)(5).                                                      
    (43) An application for approval of a      45,200                   
     rail rate 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............  8,400                    
        (ii) Minor amendment.................  60                       
    (45) An application for authority to hold  500                      
     a position as officer or director under                            
     49 U.S.C. 11328.                                                   
    (46) A petition for exemption under 49     5,200                    
     U.S.C. 10502 (other than a rulemaking)                             
     filed by rail carrier not otherwise                                
     covered.                                                           
    (47) National Railroad Passenger           150                      
     Corporation (Amtrak) conveyance                                    
     proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562.                                    
    (48) National Railroad Passenger           150                      
     Corporation (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     27,000                   
         the coal rate guidelines (Stand-                               
         Alone Cost Methodology) alleging                               
         unlawful rates and/or practices of                             
         rail carriers under 49 U.S.C.                                  
         10704(c)(1) except a complaint filed                           
         by small shipper.                                              
        (ii) A formal complaint involving      1,000                    
         rail maximum rates filed by a small                            
         shipper.                                                       
        (iii) All other formal complaints      2,600                    
         (except competitive access                                     
         complaints).                                                   
        (iv) Competitive access complaints...  150                      
    (57) A complaint seeking or a petition     5,700                    
     requesting 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   1,000                    
         involving a dispute over an existing                           
         rate or practice which is comparable                           
         to a complaint proceeding.                                     
        (ii) All other petitions for           1,400                    
         declaratory order.                                             
    (59) An application for shipper antitrust  4,500                    
     immunity. 49 U.S.C. 10706(a)(5)(A).                                
    (60) Labor arbitration proceedings.......  150                      
    (61) Appeals to a Surface Transportation   150                      
     Board decision and petitions to revoke                             
     an exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C.                                 
     10502(d).                                                          
    (62) Motor carrier undercharge             150                      
     proceedings.                                                       
    (63)-(75) [Reserved]                                                
                                                                        
PART VI: Informal Proceedings:                                          
                                                                        
    (76) An application for authority to       800                      
     establish 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            80                       
     permission for short notice or the                                 
     waiver of other tariff publishing                                  
     requirements.                                                      
    (78) (i) The filing of tariffs, including  $1 per page              
     supplements, or contract summaries.       ($16 minimum charge.)    
        (ii) Tariffs transmitted by fax......  $1 per page              

[[Page 8148]]

                                                                        
    (79) Special docket applications from                               
     rail and water carriers:                                           
        (i) Applications involving $25,000 or  50                       
         less.                                                          
        (ii) Applications involving over       100                      
         $25,000.                                                       
    (80) Informal complaint about rail rate    350                      
     applications                                                       
    (81) Tariff reconciliation petitions from                           
     motor common carriers:                                             
        (i) Petitions involving $25,000 or     50                       
         less.                                                          
        (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.  26 per document          
     49 U.S.C. 11301 and 49 CFR 1177.3(c).                              
    (84) Informal opinions about rate          150                      
     applications (all modes).                                          
    (85) A railroad accounting interpretation  700                      
    (86) An operational interpretation.......  950                      
    (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    75                       
         Declining to Submit to Any                                     
         Arbitration.                                                   
        (iii) Third Party Complaint..........  75                       
        (iv) Third Party Answer (per           75                       
         defendant), Unless Declining to                                
         Submit to Any Arbitration.                                     
        (v) Appeals of Arbitration Decisions   150                      
         or Petitions to Modify or Vacate an                            
         Arbitration Award.                                             
    (88)-(95) [Reserved]                                                
                                                                        
PART VII: Services:                                                     
                                                                        
    (96) Messenger delivery of decision to a   20 per delivery          
     railroad carrier's Washington, DC, agent.                          
    (97) Request for service or pleading list  15 per list              
     for proceedings.                                                   
    (98) (i) Processing the paperwork related  200                      
     to a 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  400                      
         to a request 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   25                       
         Package.                                                       
    (100) Uniform Railroad Costing System                               
     (URCS) software and information:                                   
        (i) Initial PC version URCS Phase III  50                       
         software program and manual.                                   
        (ii) Updated URCS PC version Phase     10                       
         III cost file, if computer disk                                
         provided by requestor.                                         
        (iii) Updated URCS PC version Phase    20                       
         III cost file, if computer disk                                
         provided by the Board.                                         
        (iv) Public requests for Source Codes  500                      
         to the PC version URCS Phase III.                              
        (v) PC version or mainframe version    400                      
         URCS Phase II.                                                 
        (vi) PC version or mainframe version   50                       
         Updated Phase II databases.                                    
        (vii) Public requests for Source       1,500                    
         Codes to PC version URCS Phase II.                             
    (101) Carload Waybill Sample data on                                
     recordable compact disk (R-CD):                                    
        (i) Requests for Public Use File on R- 450                      
         CD--First Year.                                                
        (ii) Requests for Public Use File on   150                      
         R-CD Each Additional Year.                                     
        (iii) Waybill--Surface Transportation  650                      
         Board or State proceedings on R-CD--                           
         First Year.                                                    
        (iv) Waybill--Surface Transportation   450                      
         Board or State proceedings on R-CD--                           
         Second Year on same R-CD.                                      
        (v) Waybill--Surface Transportation    500                      
         Board or State proceeding on R-CD--                            
         Second Year on different R-CD.                                 
        (vi) User Guide for latest available   50                       
         Carload Waybill Sample.                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 98-3807 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P