[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41437-41441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17315]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[Docket No. EP 542 (Sub-No. 23)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
With Licensing and Related Services--2015 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Final rules.

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SUMMARY: The Board updates for 2015 the fees that the public must pay 
to file certain cases and pleadings with the Board. The update will 
increase 11 fees by $50 or less, increase 34 fees by $100, increase 22 
fees by more than $100, and keep the remaining 58 fees at their 
existing level.

DATES: These rules are effective August 14, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Groves, (202) 245-0327, or 
Andrea Pope-Matheson (202) 245-0363. [TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-
800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board's regulations at 49 CFR 1002.3 
provide for an annual update of the Board's entire user-fee schedule. 
Fees are generally revised based on the cost study formula set forth at 
49 CFR 1002.3(d). As compared with the 2014 fee update, the 2015 fee 
changes adopted here reflect a combination of a 1% across-the-board 
increase to salary costs; no change in publication cost levels; 
increases to two of the three Board Overhead cost factors; and a modest 
decrease to the third Board Overhead cost factor from its comparable 
2014 level, resulting from the mechanical application of the update 
formula in 49 CFR 1002.3(d). Results from the formula application 
indicate that justified fee amounts in this 2015 update decision either 
remain unchanged (58 fee items), increase $50 or less (11 fee items), 
increase by $100 (34 fee items) or increase over $100 (22 fee items) 
from their respective 2014 update levels. No new fee items are proposed 
in this proceeding. Therefore, the Board finds that notice and comment 
are unnecessary for this proceeding. See Regulations Governing Fees for 
Servs.--1990 Update, 7 I.C.C.2d 3 (1990); Regulations Governing Fees 
for Servs.--1991 Update, 8 I.C.C.2d 13 (1991); Regulations Governing 
Fees for

[[Page 41438]]

Servs.--1993 Update, 9 I.C.C.2d 855 (1993).
    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 (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 9, 2015.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and 
Commissioner Miller.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
    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). Section 1002.1(g)(11) is also issued under 5 U.S.C. 
5514 and 31 U.S.C. 3717.


0
2. Section 1002.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) through (c), 
(f)(1) and (g)(6) to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (a) Certificate of the Records Officer, $18.00.
    (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 $42.00 per hour.
    (c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to 
determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc. identical 
thereto, at the rate of $29.00 per hour.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) A fee of $73.00 per hour for professional staff time will be 
charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (6) The search and review hourly fees will be based upon employee 
grade levels in order to recoup the full, allowable direct costs 
attributable to their performance of these functions. They are as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Grade                                Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1....................................................          $12.25
GS-2....................................................           13.33
GS-3....................................................           15.03
GS-4....................................................           16.87
GS-5....................................................           18.88
GS-6....................................................           21.04
GS-7....................................................           23.38
GS-8....................................................           25.90
GS-9....................................................           28.60
GS-10...................................................           31.50
GS-11...................................................           34.60
GS-12...................................................           41.48
GS-13...................................................           49.32
GS-14...................................................           58.28
GS-15 and over..........................................           68.56
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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0
3. In 1002.2, paragraph (f) is revised to read 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 Into a Particular
               Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) An application for the pooling    $4,700.
 or division of traffic.
(2)(i) An application involving the   $2,100.
 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     $3,400.
     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     $2,800.
     exemption filed under 49 U.S.C.
     13541(d).
(3) An application for approval of a  $29,500.
 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.......  $4,900.
    (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         $1,800.
 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         $7,700.
 certificate authorizing the
 extension, acquisition, or
 operation of lines of railroad. 49
 U.S.C. 10901.
    (ii) Notice of exemption under    $1,900.
     49 CFR 1150.31-1150.35.
    (iii) Petition for exemption      $13,400.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(12) (i) An application involving     $79,700.
 the construction of a rail line.
    (ii) A notice of exemption        $1,900.
     involving construction of a
     rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36.
    (iii) A petition for exemption    $79,700.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502 involving
     construction of a rail line.
    (iv) A request for determination  $300.
     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 II  $6,600.
 or class III carrier to acquire an
 extended or additional rail line
 under 49 U.S.C. 10902..
    (ii) Notice of exemption under    $1,900.
     49 CFR 1150.41-1150.45.
    (iii) Petition for exemption      $7,000.
     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           $1,800.
 certificate of public convenience
 and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21-
 1150.24.
(16) An application for a land-use-   $6,400.
 exemption permit for a facility
 existing as of October 16, 2008
 under 49 U.S.C. 10909.
(17) An application for a land-use-   $22,600.
 exemption permit for a facility not
 existing as of October 16, 2008
 under 49 U.S.C. 10909.
(18)-(20) [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 41439]]

 
 PART III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services
                              Proceedings:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(21) (i) An application for           $23,700.
 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          $3,900.
     abandonment or discontinuance
     under 49 CFR 1152.50.
    (iii) A petition for exemption    $6,700.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(22) An application for authority to  $500.
 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   $2,000.
 railroads.
(24) A request for waiver of filing   $1,900.
 requirements for abandonment
 application proceedings.
(25) An offer of financial            $1,600.
 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       $24,200.
 conditions for the sale of or
 subsidy for a rail line proposed to
 be abandoned.
(27) (i) A request for a trail use    $300.
 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 Into a Particular Financial
                    Transaction or Joint Arrangement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(36) An application for use of        $20,200.
 terminal facilities or other
 applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102.
(37) An application for the pooling   $10,900.
 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...........  $1,593,600.
    (ii) Significant transaction....  $318,700.
    (iii) Minor transaction.........  $7,900.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt          $1,800.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application......  $7,900.
    (vi) Petition for exemption       $10,000.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or     $5,900.
     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...........  $1,593,600.
    (ii) Significant transaction....  $318,700.
    (iii) Minor transaction.........  $7,900.
    (iv) A notice of an exempt        $1,400.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application......  $7,900.
    (vi) Petition for exemption       $10,000.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or     $5,900.
     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...........  $1,593,600.
    (ii) Significant transaction....  $318,700.
    (iii) Minor transaction.........  $7,900.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt          $1,200.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application......  $7,900.
    (vi) Petition for exemption       $10,000.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or     $5,900.
     clarification of 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...........  $1,593,600.
    (ii) Significant transaction....  $318,700.
    (iii) Minor transaction.........  $7,900.
    (iv) Notice of an exempt          $1,400.
     transaction under 49 CFR
     1180.2(d).
    (v) Responsive application......  $7,900.
    (vi) Petition for exemption       $7,000.
     under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (vii) A request for waiver or     $5,900.
     clarification of regulations
     filed in a major financial
     proceeding as defined at 49 CFR
     1180.2(a).
(42) Notice of a joint project        $2,500.
 involving relocation of a rail line
 under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5).
(43) An application for approval of   $74,600.
 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.......  $13,800.
    (ii) Minor amendment............  $100.
(45) An application for authority to  $800.
 hold a position as officer or
 director under 49 U.S.C. 11328.
(46) A petition for exemption under   $8,500.
 49 U.S.C. 10502 (other than a
 rulemaking) filed by rail carrier
 not otherwise covered.
(47) National Railroad Passenger      $300.
 Corporation (Amtrak) conveyance
 proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562.
(48) National Railroad Passenger      $300.
 Corporation (Amtrak) compensation
 proceeding under Section 402(a) of
 the Rail Passenger Service Act.

[[Page 41440]]

 
(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 complaints  $350.
     (except competitive access
     complaints).
    (v) Competitive access            $150.
     complaints.
    (vi) A request for an order       $300.
     compelling a rail carrier to
     establish a common carrier rate.
(57) A complaint seeking or a         $9,400.
 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 declaratory    $1,000.
     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       $7,500.
 antitrust immunity. 49 U.S.C.
 10706(a)(5)(A).
(60) Labor arbitration proceedings..  $300.
(61) (i) An appeal of a Surface       $300.
 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           $400.
 Transportation Board decision on
 procedural matters except discovery
 rulings.
(62) Motor carrier undercharge        $300.
 proceedings.
(63) (i) Expedited relief for         $300.
 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         $300.
     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          $600.
 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 to  $1,300.
 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 ($26 min. charge.)
 including supplements, or contract
 summaries.
(79) Special docket applications
 from rail and water carriers:
    (i) Applications involving        $75.
     $25,000 or less.
    (ii) Applications involving over  $150.
     $25,000.
(80) Informal complaint about rail    $650.
 rate applications.
(81) Tariff reconciliation petitions  ..................................
 from motor common carriers:.
    (i) Petitions involving $25,000   $75.
     or less.
    (ii) Petitions involving over     $150.
     $25,000.
(82) Request for a determination of   $250.
 the applicability or reasonableness
 of motor carrier rates under 49
 U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3).
(83) Filing of documents for          $43 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            $1,200.
 interpretation.
(86) (i) A request for an informal    $1,500.
 opinion not otherwise covered.
    (ii) A proposal to use on a       $5,400.
     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 informal   $550.
     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 adjudicatory   $300.
 services not otherwise covered.
(89)-(95) [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           PART VII: Services:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(96) Messenger delivery of decision   $34 per delivery.
 to a railroad carrier's Washington,
 DC, agent.
(97) Request for service or pleading  $26 per list.
 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.

[[Page 41441]]

 
    (b) Sliding cost portion........  $50 per party.
    (ii) Does require a Federal       ..................................
     Register notice:.
    (a) Set cost portion............  $400.
    (b) Sliding cost portion........  $50 per party.
(99) (i) Application fee for the      $200.
 Surface Transportation Board's
 Practitioners' Exam.
    (ii) Practitioners' Exam          $25.
     Information Package.
(100) Carload Waybill Sample data:..
    (i) Requests for Public Use File  $250 per year.
     for all years prior to the most
     current year Carload Waybill
     Sample data available, provided
     on CD-R.
    (ii) Specialized programming for  $114 per hour.
     Waybill requests to the Board.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[FR Doc. 2015-17315 Filed 7-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P