[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44158-44162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18460]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[Docket No. EP 542 (Sub-No. 17)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
With Licensing and Related Services--2010 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Final rules.

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

SUMMARY: The Board adopts its 2010 User-Fee Update and revises its fee 
schedule to reflect increased costs associated with the January 2010 
government salary increases, to reflect government fringe benefits, and 
to consider changes to the Board's overhead costs.

DATES: Effective Date: These rules are effective on August 27, 2010.

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 
provide for annual updates of the Board's User-Fee schedule. Fees are 
generally revised based on the cost-study formula set forth at 49 CFR

[[Page 44159]]

1002.3(d). The fee changes adopted here, which reflect a combination of 
the increased wage costs plus changes to various Board overhead costs 
(mainly decreases from their comparable 2009 levels), result from the 
mechanical application of the update formula in 49 CFR 1002.3(d). 
Application of the formula generally results in fee amounts in this 
2010 update that either remain unchanged or decrease from their 
respective 2009 update levels. No new fees are 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) 
245-0245. [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, and Freedom 
of information.

    Decided: July 22, 2010.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Mulvey, and 
Comissioner Nottingham.

Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.

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) and (c); 
paragraph (f)(1); 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 $41.00 per hour.
    (c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to 
determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc., identical 
thereto, at the rate of $28.00 per hour.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) A fee of $71.00 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......................................              $12.01  GS-9........................              $28.04
GS-2......................................               13.07  GS-10.......................               30.88
GS-3......................................               14.73  GS-11.......................               33.92
GS-4......................................               16.54  GS-12.......................               40.66
GS-5......................................               18.50  GS-13.......................               48.21
GS-6......................................               20.63  GS-14.......................               57.13
GS-7......................................               22.92  GS-15 and over..............               67.21
GS-8......................................               25.38
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  1002.2, paragraph (f) is revised 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         $4,400.
 pooling or division of traffic.
(2)(i) An application involving    $2,000.
 the purchase, lease,
 consolidation, merger, or
 acquisition of control of a
 motor carrier of passengers
 under 49 U.S.C. 14303.
(ii) A petition for exemption      $3,200.
 under 49 U.S.C. 13541 (other
 than a rulemaking) filed by a
 non-rail carrier not otherwise
 covered.
(iii) A petition to revoke an      $2,600.
 exemption filed under 49 U.S.C.
 13541(d).
(3) An application for approval    $27,600.
 of a non-rail rate 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....  $4,600.
    (ii) Minor amendment.........  $100.
(5) An application for temporary   $500.
 authority to operate a motor
 carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C.
 14303(i)
(6) A notice of exemption for      $1,700.
 transaction within a 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      $7,200.
 certificate authorizing the
 extension, acquisition, or
 operation of lines of railroad.
 49 U.S.C. 10901.

[[Page 44160]]

 
    (ii) Notice of exemption       $1,800.
     under 49 CFR.
    1150.31-1150.35..............
    (iii) Petition for exemption   $12,500.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(12) (i) An application involving  $74,500.
 the construction of a rail line.
    (ii) A notice of exemption     $1,800.
     involving construction of a
     rail line under 49 CFR
     1150.36.
    (iii) A petition for           $74,500.
     exemption under 49 U.S.C.
     10502 involving construction
     of a rail line.
    (iv) A request for             $250.
     determination of a dispute
     involving a rail
     construction that crosses
     the line of another carrier
     under 49 U.S.C. 10902(d).
(13) A Feeder Line Development     $2,600.
 Program 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  $6,200.
 II or class III carrier to
 acquire an extended or
 additional rail line under 49
 U.S.C. 10902.
    (ii) Notice of exemption       $1,800.
     under 49 CFR 1150.41-1150.45.
    (iii) Petition for exemption   $6,600.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502
     relating to an exemption
     from the provisions of 49
     U.S.C. 10902.
(15) A notice of a modified        $1,700.
 certificate of public
 convenience and necessity under
 49 CFR 1150.21-1150.24.
(16) An application for a land-    $6,000.
 use-exemption permit for a
 facility existing as of October
 16, 2008 under 49 U.S.C. 10909.
(17) An application for a land-    $21,100.
 use-exemption permit for a
 facility not existing as of
 October 16, 2008 under 49 U.S.C.
 10909.
(18)-(20) [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PART III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services
                               Proceedings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(21)(i) An application for         $22,100.
 authority to 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       $3,600.
     abandonment or
     discontinuance under 49 CFR
     1152.50.
    (iii) A petition for           $6,300.
     exemption under 49 U.S.C.
     10502.
(22) An application for authority  $450.
 to 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         $1,800.
 bankrupt railroads.
(24) A request for waiver of       $1,800.
 filing requirements for
 abandonment application
 proceedings.
(25) An offer of financial         $1,500.
 assistance 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    $22,600.
 conditions for the sale of or
 subsidy for a rail line proposed
 to be abandoned.
(27) (i) A request for a trail     $250.
 use condition in an abandonment
 proceeding under 16
 U.S.C.1247(d).
    (ii) A request to extend the   $450.
     period to negotiate 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     $18,900.
 terminal facilities or other
 applications under 49 U.S.C.
 11102.
(37) An application for the        $10,200.
 pooling or division of 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........  $1,489,900.
    (ii) Significant transaction.  $298,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction......  $7,500.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt       $1,700.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application...  $7,500.
    (vi) Petition for exemption    $9,300.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or  $5,500.
     clarification of 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........  $1,489,900.
    (ii) Significant transaction.  $298,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction......  $7,500.
    (iv) A notice of an exempt     $1,300.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application...  $7,500.
    (vi) Petition for exemption    $9,300.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or  $5,500.
     clarification of 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........  $1,489,900.
    (ii) Significant transaction.  $298,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction......  $7,500.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt       $1,200.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application...  $7,500.
    (vi) Petition for exemption    $9,300.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or  $5,500.
     clarification of regulations
     filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49
     CFR 1180.2(a).

[[Page 44161]]

 
(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........  $1,489,900.
    (ii) Significant transaction.  $298,000.
    (iii) Minor transaction......  $7,500.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt       $1,400.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application...  $7,500.
    (vi) Petition for exemption    $6,600.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or  $5,500.
     clarification of regulations
     filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49
     CFR 1180.2(a).
(42) Notice of a joint project     $2,400.
 involving relocation of a rail
 line under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5).
(43) An application for approval   $69,700.
 of a 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....  $12,900.
    (ii) Minor amendment.........  $100.
(45) An application for authority  $750.
 to hold a position as officer or
 director under 49 U.S.C. 11328.
(46) A petition for exemption      $8,000.
 under 49 U.S.C. 10502 (other
 than a rulemaking) filed by rail
 carrier not otherwise covered.
(47) National Railroad Passenger   $250.
 Corporation (Amtrak) conveyance
 proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562.
(48) National Railroad Passenger   $250.
 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   $350.
     under 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).
    (ii) A formal complaint        $350.
     involving rail maximum rates
     filed under the Simplified-
     SAC methodology.
    (iii) A formal complaint       $150.
     involving rail maximum rates
     filed under the Three
     Benchmark methodology.
    (iv) All other formal          $20,600.
     complaints (except
     competitive access
     complaints).
    (v) Competitive access         $150.
     complaints.
    (vi) A request for an order    $250.
     compelling a rail carrier to
     establish a common carrier
     rate.
(57) A complaint seeking or a      $8,800.
 petition 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             $1,000.
     declaratory order 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    $7,000.
 antitrust immunity. 49 U.S.C.
 10706(a)(5)(A).
(60) Labor arbitration             $250.
 proceedings.
(61)(i) An appeal of a Surface     $250.
 Transportation 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    $350.
     Transportation Board
     decision on procedural
     matters except discovery
     rulings.
(62) Motor carrier undercharge     $250.
 proceedings.
(63)(i) Expedited relief for       $250.
 service inadequacies: A request
 for expedited relief under 49
 U.S.C. 11123 and 49 CFR part
 1146 for service emergency.
    (ii) Expedited relief for      $250.
     service inadequacies: A
     request for temporary relief
     under 49 U.S.C. 10705 and
     11102, and 49 CFR part 1147
     for service inadequacy.
(64) A request for waiver or       $550.
 clarification of 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  $1,200.
 to 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    $100.
 permission for short notice or
 the waiver of other tariff
 publishing requirements.
(78) The filing of tariffs,        $1 per page.
 including supplements, or         ($24 minimum charge.)
 contract summaries.
(79) Special docket applications
 from rail and water carriers:
    (i) Applications involving     $75.
     $25,000 or less.
    (ii) Applications involving    $150.
     over $25,000.
(80) Informal complaint about      $600.
 rail rate applications.
(81) Tariff reconciliation
 petitions from motor common
 carriers:
    (i) Petitions involving        $75.
     $25,000 or less.
    (ii) Petitions involving over  $150.
     $25,000.
(82) Request for a determination   $200.
 of the applicability or
 reasonableness of motor carrier
 rates under 49 U.S.C.
 13710(a)(2) and (3).
(83) Filing of documents for       $41 per document.
 recordation. 49 U.S.C. 11301 and
 49 CFR 1177.3(c).
(84) Informal opinions about rate  $250.
 applications (all modes).
(85) A railroad accounting         $1,100.
 interpretation.
(86) (i) A request for an          $1,400.
 informal opinion not otherwise
 covered.

[[Page 44162]]

 
    (ii) A proposal to use on a    $5,100.
     voting trust 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         $500.
     informal opinion on a 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),   $75.
     Unless 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     $150.
     Decisions or Petitions to
     Modify or Vacate an
     Arbitration Award.
(88) Basic fee for STB             $250.
 adjudicatory services not
 otherwise covered.
(89)-(95) [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PART VII: Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(96) Messenger delivery of         $32 per delivery.
 decision to a railroad carrier's
 Washington, DC, agent.
(97) Request for service or        $24 per list.
 pleading list for 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.........  $150.
    (b) Sliding cost portion.....  $47 per party.
(ii) Does require a Federal
 Register notice:
    (a) Set cost portion.........  $400.
    (b) Sliding cost portion.....  $47 per party.
(99)(i) Application fee for the    $150.
 Surface Transportation Board's
 Practitioners' Exam.
    (ii) Practitioners' Exam       $25.
     Information Package.
(100) Carload Waybill Sample
 data:
    (i) Requests for Public Use    $250 per year.
     File for all years prior to
     the most current year
     Carload Waybill Sample data
     available, provided on CD-R.
    (ii) Specialized programming   $112 per hour.
     for Waybill requests to the
     Board.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2010-18460 Filed 7-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P