[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 66 (Friday, April 6, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17032-17036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6479]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 14)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
With Licensing and Related Services--2007 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: The Board adopts its 2007 User Fee Update and revises its fee 
schedule to recover the costs associated with the January 2007 
Government salary increases and to reflect changes in overhead costs to 
the Board.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective May 6, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Groves, (202) 245-0327, or 
Anne Quinlan, (202) 245-0309. [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 2.64% in 
January 2007, the Board is updating its user fees to recover the 
increased personnel costs. With certain exceptions, all fees, including 
those 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 
also 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

[[Page 17033]]

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) 
245-0245. 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, MD 20706, (202) 306-4004, [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: April 2, 2007.

    By the Board, Chairman Nottingham, Vice Chairman Buttrey, and 
Commissioner Mulvey.
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 (b), (c) and 
(f)(1); and the table in paragraph (g)(6) to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (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 $36.00 per hour.
    (c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to 
determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc., identical 
thereto, at the rate of $25.00 per hour.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) A fee of $64.00 per hour for professional staff time will be 
charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (6) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Grade                  Rate          Grade           Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1...........................     $10.71  GS-9.............     $25.00
GS-2...........................      11.66  GS-10............      27.53
GS-3...........................      13.14  GS-11............      30.25
GS-4...........................      14.75  GS-12............      36.26
GS-5...........................      16.50  GS-13............      43.12
GS-6...........................      18.39  GS-14............      50.95
GS-7...........................      20.44  GS-15 and over...      59.93
GS-8...........................      22.64
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

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


Sec.  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                $3,700.
 traffic..........................................
(2) (i) An application involving the purchase,                    1,700.
 lease, 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.                     2,800.
 13541 (other than a rulemaking) filed by a non-
 rail carrier not otherwise covered...............
(iii) A petition to revoke an exemption filed                     2,300.
 under 49 U.S.C. 13541(d).........................
(3) An application for approval of a non-rail rate               23,600.
 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.....................                3,900.
    (ii) Minor amendment..........................                   90.
(5) An application for temporary authority to                       400.
 operate a motor carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C.
 14303(i).........................................
(6) A notice of exemption for transaction within a                1,500.
 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                        $6,200.
 authorizing the extension, acquisition, or
 operation of lines of railroad. 49 U.S.C. 10901..
(ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31-                    1,600.
 1150.35..........................................
(iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502               10,700.
(12) (i) An application involving the construction               63,800.
 of a rail line...................................
(ii) A notice of exemption involving construction                 1,600.
 of a rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36..............
(iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                   63,800.
 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                5,300.
 carrier to acquire an extended or additional rail
 line under 49 U.S.C. 10902.......................
(ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41-                    1,600.
 1150.45..........................................
(iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502                5,700.
 relating to an exemption from the provisions of
 49 U.S.C. 10902..................................
(15) A notice of a modified certificate of public                 1,400.
 convenience and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21-
 1150.24..........................................

[[Page 17034]]

 
(16)-(20) [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PART III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services
                               Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(21) (i) An application for authority to abandon                $18,900.
 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 or                           3,200.
 discontinuance under 49 CFR 1152.50..............
(iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                    5,400.
 10502............................................
(22) An application for authority to abandon all                    400.
 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 railroads.....                1,600.
(24) A request for waiver of filing requirements                  1,500.
 for abandonment application proceedings..........
(25) An offer of financial assistance under 49                    1,300.
 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 conditions for the               19,300.
 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 a                  350.
 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              $16,200.
 or other applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102......
(37) An application for the pooling or division of                8,700.
 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.........................            1,275,100.
    (ii) Significant transaction..................              255,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction.......................                6,600.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49                 1,500.
     CFR 1180.2(d)................................
    (v) Responsive application....................                6,600.
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                   8,000.
     10502........................................
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                4,700.
     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.........................            1,275,100.
    (ii) Significant transaction..................              255,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction.......................                6,600.
    (iv) A notice of an exempt transaction under                  1,100.
     49 CFR 1180.2(d).............................
    (v) Responsive application....................                6,600.
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                   8,000.
     10502........................................
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                4,700.
     regulations filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(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.........................            1,275,100.
    (ii) Significant transaction..................              255,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction.......................                6,600.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49                 1,000.
     CFR 1180.2(d)................................
    (v) Responsive application....................                6,600.
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                   8,000.
     10502........................................
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                4,700.
     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.........................            1,275,100.
    (ii) Significant transaction..................              255,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction.......................                6,600.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49                 1,200.
     CFR 1180.2(d)................................
    (v) Responsive application....................                6,600.
    (vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                   5,700.
     10502........................................
    (vii) A request for waiver or clarification of                4,700.
     regulations filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a)....
(42) Notice of a joint project involving                          2,100.
 relocation of a rail line under 49 CFR
 1180.2(d)(5).....................................
(43) An application for approval of a rail rate                  59,700.
 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.....................               11,000.
    (ii) Minor amendment..........................                   90.
(45) An application for authority to hold a                         650.
 position as officer or director under 49 U.S.C.
 11328............................................
(46) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C.                     6,800.
 10502 (other than a rulemaking) filed by rail
 carrier not otherwise covered....................
(47) National Railroad Passenger Corporation                        200.
 (Amtrak) conveyance proceeding under 45 U.S.C.
 562..............................................

[[Page 17035]]

 
(48) National Railroad Passenger Corporation                        200.
 (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 the coal                $178,200.
     rate 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                    17,600.
     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                 7,500.
 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                1,000.
     a 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                         6,000.
 immunity. 49 U.S.C. 10706(a)(5)(A)...............
(60) Labor arbitration proceedings................                  200.
(61) (i) An appeal of a Surface Transportation                      200.
 Board 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                      300.
     Board decision on procedural matters except
     discovery rulings............................
(62) Motor carrier undercharge proceedings........                  200.
(63) (i) Expedited relief for service                               200.
 inadequacies: A 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 temporary relief under 49 U.S.C.
 10705 and 11102, and 49 CFR part 1147 for service
 inadequacies.....................................
(64) A request for waiver or clarification of                       500.
 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]
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                      PART VI: Informal Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(76) An application for authority to establish                    1,000.
 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                     $100.
 short notice or the waiver of other tariff
 publishing requirements..........................
(78) The filing of tariffs, including supplements,     $1 per page. ($21
 or contract summaries............................      minimum charge.)
(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                             500.
 applications.....................................
(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                             200.
 applicability or reasonableness of motor carrier
 rates under 49 U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3)........
(83) Filing of documents for recordation. 49           $35 per document.
 U.S.C. 11301 and 49 CFR 1177.3(c)................
(84) Informal opinions about rate applications                      200.
 (all modes)......................................
(85) A railroad accounting interpretation.........                  950.
(86) (i) A request for an informal opinion not                    1,200.
 otherwise covered................................
(ii) A proposal to use on a voting trust agreement                4,300.
 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
 1013.3(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                    75.
     to Submit to Any Arbitration.................
    (iii) Third Party Complaint...................                   75.
    (iv) Third Party Answer (per defendant),                         75.
     Unless Declining to Submit to Any Arbitration
    (v) Appeals of Arbitration Decisions or                         150.
     Petitions to Modify or Vacate an Arbitration
     Award........................................
(88) Basic fee for STB adjudicatory services not                    200.
 otherwise covered................................
(89)-(95) [Reserved]
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                           PART VII: Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(96) Messenger delivery of decision to a railroad      $27 per delivery.
 carrier's Washington, DC, agent..................
(97) Request for service or pleading list for              $20 per list.
 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.

[[Page 17036]]

 
        (b) Sliding cost portion..................        $40 per party.
    (ii) Does require a Federal Register notice:
        (a) Set cost portion......................                 $350.
        (b) Sliding cost portion..................        $40 per party.
(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            $25 per year.
     file--per year...............................
    (iii) Public requests for Source Codes to the                  $100.
     PC 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         $250 per year.
     year.........................................
    (ii) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board or         $500 per year.
     State proceedings on R-CD--per year..........
    (iii) User Guide for latest available Carload                   $50.
     Waybill Sample...............................
    (iv) Specialized programming for Waybill               $95 per hour.
     requests to the Board........................
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[FR Doc. E7-6479 Filed 4-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P