[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58855-58858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21984]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 11)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
With Licensing and Related Services--2004 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Final rules.

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SUMMARY: The Board adopts its 2004 User Fee Update and revises its fee 
schedule to recover the costs associated with the January 2004 
Government salary increases and to reflect changes in overhead costs to 
the Board.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective October 31, 2004.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board's regulations at 49 CFR 1002.3 
require that the Board's user fee schedule be updated annually. The 
regulation at 49 CFR 1002.3(a) provides that the entire fee schedule or 
selected fees can be modified more than once a year, if necessary. Fees 
are revised based on the cost study formula set forth at 49 CFR 
1002.3(d).
    Because Board employees received a salary increase of 4.42% in 
January 2004, the Board is updating its user fees to recover the 
increased personnel costs. With certain exceptions, all fees, including 
those recently adopted or amended in Regulations Governing Fees For 
Services Performed In Connection With Licensing And Related Services--
2002 New Fees, STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 4) (STB served Mar. 29, 
2004) will be updated based on the cost formula contained in 49 CFR 
1002.3(d). In addition, changes to the overhead costs borne by the 
Board are reflected in the revised fee schedule.
    The fee increases adopted here result 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). No new fees are 
being proposed in this proceeding. Therefore, the Board finds that 
notice and comment are unnecessary for this proceeding. See Regulations 
Governing Fees For Services--1990 Update, 7 I.C.C.2d 3 (1990); 
Regulations Governing Fees For Services--1991 Update, 8 I.C.C.2d 13 
(1991); and Regulations Governing Fees For Services--1993 Update, 9 
I.C.C.2d 855 (1993).
    The Board concludes that the fee changes adopted here will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because the Board's regulations provide for waiver of filing fees for 
those entities that can make the required showing of financial 
hardship.
    Additional information is contained in the Board's decision. To 
obtain a free copy of the full decision, visit the Board's Web site at 
http://www.stb.dot.gov or call the Board's Information Officer at (202) 
565-1500. To purchase a copy of the decision, write to, call, e-mail, 
or pick up in person from ASAP Document Solutions, 9332 Annapolis Road, 
Suite 103 Lanham, Maryland 20706, (301) 577-2600, [email protected]. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through Federal 
Information Relay Services (FIRS): (800) 877-8339.]

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1002

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

    Decided: September 24, 2004.
    By the Board, Chairman Nober, Vice Chairman Mulvey and 
Commissioner Buttrey.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.

0
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

0
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).


0
2. Section 1002.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) through (d) and 
(f)(1); the table in paragraph (g)(6); and paragraph (g)(7) to read as 
follows:


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

* * * * *
    (a) Certificate of the Secretary, $13.00.
    (b) Service involved in examination of tariffs or schedules for 
preparation of certified copies of tariffs or schedules or extracts 
therefrom at the rate of $33.00 per hour.
    (c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to 
determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc., incidental 
thereto, at the rate of $23.00 per hour.
    (d) Photocopies of tariffs, reports, and other public documents, at 
the rate of $1.10 per letter or legal size exposure. A minimum charge 
of $5.50 will be made for this service.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) A fee of $58.00 per hour for professional staff time will be 
charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data.
* * * * *

[[Page 58856]]

    (g) * * *
    (6) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Grade                                 Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1.........................................................      $9.72
GS-2.........................................................      10.59
GS-3.........................................................      11.93
GS-4.........................................................      13.39
GS-5.........................................................      14.99
GS-6.........................................................      16.71
GS-7.........................................................      18.56
GS-8.........................................................      20.56
GS-9.........................................................      22.71
GS-10........................................................      25.01
GS-11........................................................      27.47
GS-12........................................................      32.93
GS-13........................................................      39.16
GS-14........................................................      46.27
GS-15 and over...............................................      54.43
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (7) The fee for photocopies shall be $1.10 per letter or legal size 
exposure with a minimum charge of $5.50.
* * * * *

0
2. In Sec.  1002.2, paragraph (f) is revised as follows:


1002.2  Filing fees.

* * * * *
    (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 division of                 $3,500
 traffic.............................................
(2) (i) An application involving the purchase, lease,              1,600
 consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of
 a motor carrier of passengers under 49 U.S.C. 14303.
    (ii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                  2,600
     13541 (other than a rulemaking) filed by a non-
     rail carrier not otherwise covered..............
    (iii) A petition to revoke an exemption filed                  2,100
     under 49 U.S.C. 13541(d)........................
(3) An application for approval of a non-rail rate                22,100
 association agreement. 49 U.S.C. 13703
(4) An application for approval of an amendment to a
 non-rail rate association agreement:
    (i) Significant amendment........................              3,700
    (ii) Minor amendment.............................                 80
(5) An application for temporary authority to operate                400
 a motor carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C. 14303(i)...
(6) A notice of exemption for transaction within a                 1,400
 motor passenger corporate family that does not
 result in adverse changes in service levels,
 significant operational changes, or a change in the
 competitive balance with motor passenger carriers
 outside the corporate family........................
(7)-(10) [Reserved]..................................
------------------------------------------------------
      PART II: Rail Licensing Proceedings other than Abandonment or
                       Discontinuance Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) (i) An application for a certificate authorizing              5,800
 the extension, acquisition, or operation of lines of
 railroad. 49 U.S.C. 10901...........................
    (ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31-                 1,500
     1150.35.........................................
    (iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                  10,000
     10502...........................................
(12) (i) An application involving the construction of             59,600
 a rail line.........................................
    (ii) A notice of exemption involving construction              1,500
     of a rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36.............
    (iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                59,600
     10502 involving construction of a rail line.....
    (iv) A request for determination of a dispute                    200
     involving a rail construction that crosses the
     line of another carrier under 49 U.S.C. 10902(d)
(13) A Feeder Line Development Program application                 2,600
 filed under 49 U.S.C. 10907(b)(1)(A)(i) or
 10907(b)(1)(A)(ii)..................................
(14) (i) An application of a class II or class III                 4,900
 carrier to acquire an extended or additional rail
 line under 49 U.S.C. 10902..........................
    (ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41-                 1,500
     1150.45.........................................
    (iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                   5,300
     10502 relating to an exemption from the
     provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10902...................
(15) A notice of a modified certificate of public                  1,300
 convenience and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21-
 1150.24.............................................
(16)-(20) [Reserved].................................
------------------------------------------------------
 PART III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services
                               Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(21) (i) An application for authority to abandon all              17,700
 or a portion of a line of railroad or discontinue
 operation thereof filed by a railroad (except
 applications filed by Consolidated Rail Corporation
 pursuant to the Northeast Rail Service Act [Subtitle
 E of Title XI of Pub. L. 97-35], bankrupt railroads,
 or exempt abandonments).............................
    (ii) Notice of an exempt abandonment or                        3,000
     discontinuance under 49 CFR 1152.50.............
    (iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                 5,000
     10502...........................................
(22) An application for authority to abandon all or a                350
 portion of a line of a railroad or operation thereof
 filed by Consolidated Rail Corporation pursuant to
 Northeast Rail Service Act..........................
(23) Abandonments filed by bankrupt railroads........              1,500
(24) A request for waiver of filing requirements for               1,400
 abandonment application proceedings.................
(25) An offer of financial assistance under 49 U.S.C.              1,200
 10904 relating to the purchase of or subsidy for a
 rail line proposed for abandonment..................
(26) A request to set terms and conditions for the                18,000
 sale of or subsidy for a rail line proposed to be
 abandoned...........................................
(27) (i) A request for a trail use condition in an                   200
 abandonment proceeding under 16 U.S.C.1247(d).......
    (ii) A request to extend the period to negotiate                 350
     a trail use agreement...........................
(28)-(35) [Reserved].................................
------------------------------------------------------
     PART IV: Rail Applications to Enter Upon a Particular Financial
                    Transaction or Joint Arrangement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(36) An application for use of terminal facilities or             15,100
 other applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102............
(37) An application for the pooling or division of                 8,200
 traffic. 49 U.S.C. 11322............................
(38) An application for two or more carriers to
 consolidate or merge their properties or franchises
 (or a part thereof) into one corporation for
 ownership, management, and operation of the
 properties previously in separate ownership 49
 U.S.C. 11324:
    (i) Major transaction............................          1,191,400

[[Page 58857]]

 
    (ii) Significant transaction.....................            238,200
    (iii) Minor transaction..........................              6,200
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR              1,400
     11802(d)........................................
    (v) Responsive application.......................              6,200
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502              7,500
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                 4,400
     regulations filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a).......
(39) An application of a non-carrier to acquire
 control of two or more carriers through ownership of
 stock or otherwise 49 U.S.C. 11324:
    (i) Major transaction............................          1,191,400
    (ii) Significant transaction.....................            238,200
    (iii) Minor transaction..........................              6,200
    (iv) A notice of an exempt transaction under 49                1,100
     CFR 11802(d)....................................
    (v) Responsive application.......................              6,200
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502              7,500
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                 4,400
     regulations filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 11802(a)........
(40) An application to acquire trackage rights over,   .................
 joint ownership in, or joint use of any railroad
 lines owned and operated by any other carrier and
 terminals incidental thereto 49 U.S.C. 11324:.......
    (i) Major transaction............................          1,191,400
    (ii) Significant transaction.....................            238,200
    (iii) Minor transaction..........................              6,200
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR              1,000
     1180.2(d).......................................
    (v) Responsive application.......................              6,200
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502              7,500
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                 4,400
     regulations filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a).......
(41) An application of a carrier or carriers to        .................
 purchase, lease, or contract to operate the
 properties of another, or to acquire control of
 another by purchase of stock or otherwise 49 U.S.C.
 11324:
    (i) Major transaction............................          1,191,400
    (ii) Significant transaction.....................            238,200
    (iii) Minor transaction..........................              6,200
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR              1,100
     1180.2(d).......................................
    (v) Responsive application.......................              6,200
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502              5,300
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                 4,400
     regulations filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a).......
(42) Notice of a joint project involving relocation                1,900
 of a rail line under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5)............
(43) An application for approval of a rail rate                   55,700
 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........................             10,300
    (ii) Minor amendment.............................                 80
(45) An application for authority to hold a position                 600
 as officer or director under 49 U.S.C. 11328........
(46) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502                6,400
 (other than a rulemaking) filed by rail carrier not
 otherwise covered...................................
(47) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)                200
 conveyance proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562...........
(48) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)                200
 compensation proceeding under Section 402(a) of the
 Rail Passenger Service Act..........................
(49)-(55) [Reserved].................................
------------------------------------------------------
                       PART V: Formal Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(56) A formal complaint alleging unlawful rates or
 practices of carriers:
    (i) A formal complaint filed under the coal rate              66,600
     guidelines (Stand-Alone Cost Methodology)
     alleging unlawful rates and/or practices of rail
     carriers under 49 U.S.C. 10704(c)(1)............
    (ii) A formal complaint involving rail maximum                   150
     rates filed under the small rate case procedures
    (iii) All other formal complaints (except                      6,600
     competitive access complaints)..................
    (iv) Competitive access complaints...............                150
    (v) A request for an order compelling a rail                     200
     carrier to establish a common carrier rate......
(57) A complaint seeking or a petition requesting                  7,000
 institution of an investigation seeking the
 prescription or division of joint rates or charges.
 49 U.S.C. 10705.....................................
(58) A petition for declaratory order:
    (i) A petition for declaratory order involving a               1,000
     dispute over an existing rate or practice which
     is comparable to a complaint proceeding.........
    (ii) All other petitions for declaratory order...              1,400
(59) An application for shipper antitrust immunity.                5,600
 49 U.S.C. 10706(a)(5)(A)............................
(60) Labor arbitration proceedings...................                200
(61) (i) An appeal of a Surface Transportation Board                 200
 decision on the merits or petition to revoke an
 exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(d)............
    (ii) An appeal of a Surface Transportation Board                 300
     decision on procedural matters except discovery
     rulings.........................................
(62) Motor carrier undercharge proceedings...........                200
(63) (i) Expedited relief for service inadequacies: A                200
 request for expedited relief under 49 U.S.C. 11123
 and 49 CFR part 1146 for service emergency..........
    (ii) Expedited relief for service inadequacies: A                200
     request for expedited relief under 49 U.S.C.
     10705 and 11102, and 49 CFR part 1147 for
     service inadequacies............................

[[Page 58858]]

 
(64) A request for waiver or clarification of                        450
 regulations except one filed in an abandonment or
 discontinuance proceeding, or in a major financial
 proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a)...........
(65)-(75) [Reserved].................................
------------------------------------------------------
                      PART VI: Informal Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(76) An application for authority to establish                       950
 released value rates or ratings for motor carriers
 and freight forwarders of household goods under 49
 U.S.C. 14706........................................
(77) An application for special permission for short                 100
 notice or the waiver of other tariff publishing
 requirements........................................
(78) The filing of tariffs, including supplements, or              \1\ 1
 contract summaries..................................
(79) Special docket applications from rail and water
 carriers:
    (i) Applications involving $25,000 or less.......                 50
    (ii) Applications involving over $25,000.........                100
(80) Informal complaint about rail rate applications.                450
(81) Tariff reconciliation petitions from motor
 common carriers:
    (i) Petitions involving $25,000 or less..........                 50
    (ii) Petitions involving over $25,000............                100
(82) Request for a determination of the applicability                150
 or reasonableness of motor carrier rates under 49
 U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3)..........................
(83) Filing of documents for recordation. 49 U.S.C.               \2\ 32
 11301 and 49 CFR 1177.3(c)..........................
(84) Informal opinions about rate applications (all                  200
 modes)..............................................
(85) A railroad accounting interpretation............                900
(86) (i) A request for an informal opinion not                     1,100
 otherwise covered...................................
    (ii) A proposal to use on a voting trust                       4,000
     agreement pursuant to 49 CFR 1013 and 49 CFR
     1180.4(b)(4)(iv) in connection with a major
     control proceeding as defined at 49 CFR
     1180.2(a).......................................
    (iii) A request for an informal opinion on a                     400
     voting trust agreement pursuant to 49 CFR
     1013(a) not otherwise covered...................
(87) Arbitration of Certain Disputes Subject to the
 Statutory Jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation
 Board under 49 CFR 1108:
    (i) Complaint....................................                 75
    (ii) Answer (per defendant), Unless Declining to                  75
     Submit to Any Arbitration.......................
    (iii) Third Party Complaint......................                 75
    (iv) Third Party Answer (per defendant), Unless                   75
     Declining to Submit to Any Arbitration..........
    (v) Appeals of Arbitration Decisions or Petitions                150
     to Modify or Vacate an Arbitration Award........
(88) Basic fee for STB adjudicatory services not                     200
 otherwise covered...................................
(89)-(95) [Reserved].................................
------------------------------------------------------
                           PART VII: Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(96) Messenger delivery of decision to a railroad                 \3\ 25
 carrier's Washington, DC, agent.....................
(97) Request for service or pleading list for                     \4\ 19
 proceedings.........................................
(98) Processing the paperwork related to a request
 for the Carload Waybill Sample to be used in a
 Surface Transportation Board or State proceeding
 that:
    (i) Does not require a Federal Register notice:
        (a) Set cost portion.........................                100
        (b) Sliding cost portion.....................             \5\ 37
    (ii) Does require a Federal Register notice:
        (a) Set cost portion.........................                350
        (b) Sliding cost portion.....................             \5\ 37
(99) (i) Application fee for the Surface                             150
 Transportation Board's Practitioners' Exam..........
    (ii) Practitioners' Exam Information Package.....                 25
(100) Uniform Railroad Costing System (URCS) software
 and information:
    (i) Initial PC version URCS Phase III software                    50
     program and manual..............................
    (ii) Updated URCS PC version Phase III cost file--            \6\ 25
     per year........................................
    (iii) Public requests for Source Codes to the PC                 100
     version URCS Phase III..........................
(101) Carload Waybill Sample data on recordable
 compact disk (R-CD):
    (i) Requests for Public Use File on R-CD--per                \6\ 250
     year............................................
    (ii) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board or                \6\ 500
     State proceedings on R-CD--per year.............
    (iii) User Guide for latest available Carload                     50
     Waybill Sample..................................
    (iv) Specialized programming for Waybill requests            \7\ 87
     to the Board....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Per page. ($19 minimum change.)
\2\ Per document.
\3\ Per delivery.
\4\ Per list.
\5\ Per party.
\6\ Per year.
\7\ Per hour.

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 04-21984 Filed 9-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P