[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 2, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50652-50656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18295]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

49 CFR Part 1002

[Docket No. EP 542 (Sub-No. 24)]


Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection 
with Licensing and Related Services--2016 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Final rules.

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SUMMARY: The Board updates for 2016 the fees that the public must pay 
to file certain cases and pleadings with the Board. In this update, the 
following results are obtained: 18 fees increased by $50 or less, 15 
fees increased by $100 to $199, 23 fees increased by $200 to $300, 19 
fees increased by more than $300, and the remaining 58 fees will be 
maintained at their current level.

DATES: These rules are effective September 1, 2016.

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 2015 fee update, the 2016 fee 
changes adopted here reflect a combination of a 1.46% 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 slight 
decrease to the third Board Overhead cost factor from its comparable 
2015 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 2016 update decision either 
remain unchanged (58 fee items), increase by $50 or less (18 fee 
items), increase by $300 or less (38 fee items) or increase over $300 
(19 fee items) from their respective 2015 update levels. No new fee 
items are proposed in this proceeding. However, there is an expansion 
of existing fee item 98 to now include monthly and quarterly Waybill

[[Page 50653]]

request data. 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 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 27, 2016.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Miller, and 
Commissioner Begeman.
Tia L. Delano,
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. 1321(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 (d), (f)(1), and 
(g)(6) and (7) to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (d) Photocopies of tariffs, reports, and other public documents, at 
the rate of $1.50 per letter or legal size exposure. A minimum charge 
of $7.50 will be made for this service.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) A fee of $74.00 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                     Grade                    Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1..........................................          $12.43  GS-9............................          $29.02
GS-2..........................................           13.53  GS-10...........................           31.95
GS-3..........................................           15.25  GS-11...........................           35.11
GS-4..........................................           17.12  GS-12...........................           42.08
GS-5..........................................           19.15  GS-13...........................           50.04
GS-6..........................................           21.35  GS-14...........................           59.13
GS-7..........................................           23.72  GS-15 and over..................           69.56
GS-8..........................................           26.27
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    (7) The fee for photocopies shall be $1.50 per letter or legal size 
exposure with a minimum charge of $7.50.
* * * * *

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


Sec.  1002.2  Filing fees.

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

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             Type of Proceeding                          Fee
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PART I: Non-Rail Applications or             ...........................
 Proceedings to Enter Into a Particular
 Financial Transaction or Joint
 Arrangement:
    (1) An application for the pooling or    $4,800.
     division of traffic.
    (2)(i) An application involving the      2,200.
     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 under  3,500.
         49 U.S.C. 13541 (other than a
         rulemaking) filed by a non-rail
         carrier not otherwise covered.
        (iii) A petition to revoke an        2,900.
         exemption filed under 49 U.S.C.
         13541(d).
    (3) An application for approval of a     30,400.
     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..........  5,000.
        (ii) Minor amendment...............  100.
    (5) An application for temporary         550.
     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            8,000.
     certificate authorizing the extension,
     acquisition, or operation of lines of
     railroad. 49 U.S.C. 10901.
        (ii) Notice of exemption under 49    1,900.
         CFR 1150.31-1150.35.
        (iii) Petition for exemption under   13,800.
         49 U.S.C. 10502.
    (12) (i) An application involving the    82,100.
     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       82,100.
         under 49 U.S.C. 10502 involving
         construction of a rail line.
        (iv) A request for determination of  300.
         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 Program   2,600.
     application filed under 49 U.S.C.
     10907(b)(1)(A)(i) or
     10907(b)(1)(A)(ii).

[[Page 50654]]

 
    (14) (i) An application of a class II    6,800.
     or class III carrier to acquire an
     extended or additional rail line under
     49 U.S.C. 10902.
        (ii) Notice of exemption under 49    1,900.
         CFR 1150.41--1150.45.
        (iii) Petition for exemption under   7,200.
         49 U.S.C. 10502 relating to an
         exemption from the provisions of
         49 U.S.C. 10902.
    (15) A notice of a modified certificate  1,800.
     of public convenience and necessity
     under 49 CFR 1150.21-1150.24.
    (16) An application for a land-use-      6,600.
     exemption permit for a facility
     existing as of October 16, 2008 under
     49 U.S.C. 10909.
    (17) An application for a land-use-      23,300.
     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 authority    24,400.
     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             4,000.
         abandonment or discontinuance
         under 49 CFR 1152.50.
        (iii) A petition for exemption       6,900.
         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      2,000.
     requirements for abandonment
     application proceedings.
    (25) An offer of financial assistance    1,700.
     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          24,900.
     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 period  500.
         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 terminal  20,800.
     facilities or other applications under
     49 U.S.C. 11102.
    (37) An application for the pooling or   11,200.
     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..............  1,641,600.
        (ii) Significant transaction.......  328,300.
        (iii) Minor transaction............  8,100.
        (iv) Notice of an exempt             1,800.
         transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).
        (v) Responsive application.........  8,100.
        (vi) Petition for exemption under    10,300.
         49 U.S.C. 10502.
        (vii) A request for waiver or        6,000.
         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..............  1,641,600.
        (ii) Significant transaction.......  328,300.
        (iii) Minor transaction............  8,100.
        (iv) A notice of an exempt           1,400.
         transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).
        (v) Responsive application.........  8,100.
        (vi) Petition for exemption under    10,300.
         49 U.S.C. 10502.
        (vii) A request for waiver or        6,000.
         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..............  1,641,600.
        (ii) Significant transaction.......  328,300.
        (iii) Minor transaction............  8,100.
        (iv) Notice of an exempt             1,200.
         transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).
        (v) Responsive application.........  8,100.
        (vi) Petition for exemption under    10,300.
         49 U.S.C. 10502.
        (vii) A request for waiver or        6,000.
         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..............  1,641,600.
        (ii) Significant transaction.......  328,300.
        (iii) Minor transaction............  8,100.
        (iv) Notice of an exempt             1,500.
         transaction under 49 CFR 1180.2(d).
        (v) Responsive application.........  8,100.
        (vi) Petition for exemption under    7,200.
         49 U.S.C. 10502.
        (vii) A request for waiver or        6,000.
         clarification of regulations filed
         in a major financial proceeding as
         defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a).

[[Page 50655]]

 
    (42) Notice of a joint project           2,600.
     involving relocation of a rail line
     under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5).
    (43) An application for approval of a    76,800.
     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..........  14,200.
        (ii) Minor amendment...............  100.
    (45) An application for authority to     850.
     hold a position as officer or director
     under 49 U.S.C. 11328.
    (46) A petition for exemption under 49   8,800.
     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.
    (49)-(55) [Reserved]...................
PART V: Formal Proceedings:
    (56) A formal complaint alleging
     unlawful rates or practices of
     carriers:
        (i) A formal complaint filed under   350.
         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 involving    350.
         rail maximum rates filed under the
         Simplified-SAC methodology.
        (iii) A formal complaint involving   150.
         rail maximum rates filed under the
         Three Benchmark methodology.
        (iv) All other formal complaints     350.
         (except competitive access
         complaints).
        (v) Competitive access complaints..  150.
        (vi) A request for an order          300.
         compelling a rail carrier to
         establish a common carrier rate.
    (57) A complaint seeking or a petition   9,700.
     requesting institution of an
     investigation seeking the prescription
     or division of joint rates or charges.
     49 U.S.C. 10705.
    (58) A petition for declaratory order:
        (i) A petition for declaratory       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          7,700.
     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 service    300.
     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    300.
         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             650.
     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, including    1 per page.
     supplements, or contract summaries.     (27 min. charge.)
    (79) Special docket applications from
     rail and water carriers:
        (i) Applications involving 25,000    75.
         or less.
        (ii) Applications involving over     150.
         25,000.
    (80) Informal complaint about rail rate  650.
     applications.
    (81) Tariff reconciliation petitions
     from motor common carriers:
        (i) Petitions involving 25,000 or    75.
         less.
        (ii) Petitions involving over        150.
         25,000.
    (82) Request for a determination of the  250.
     applicability or reasonableness of
     motor carrier rates under 49 U.S.C.
     13710(a)(2) and (3).
    (83) Filing of documents for             45 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       1,600.
     opinion not otherwise covered.
        (ii) A proposal to use on a voting   5,600.
         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), Unless  75.
         Declining to Submit to Any
         Arbitration.
        (iii) Third Party Complaint........  75.
        (iv) Third Party Answer (per         75.
         defendant), Unless Declining to
         Submit to Any Arbitration.
        (v) Appeals of Arbitration           150.
         Decisions or Petitions to Modify
         or Vacate an Arbitration Award.

[[Page 50656]]

 
    (88) Basic fee for STB adjudicatory      300.
     services not otherwise covered.
    (89)-(95) [Reserved]...................
PART VII: Services:
    (96) Messenger delivery of decision to   35 per delivery.
     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 an STB or State
     proceeding that:
        (i) Annual request does not require
         a Federal Register notice:
        (a) Set cost portion...............  150.
        (b) Sliding cost portion...........  52 per party.
        (ii) Annual request does require a
         FR notice:.
        (a) Set cost portion...............  400.
        (b) Sliding cost portion...........  52 per party.
        (iii) Quarterly request does not
         require a FR notice:
        (a) Set cost portion...............  44.
        (b) Sliding cost portion...........  13 per party.
        (iv) Quarterly request does require
         a FR notice:
        (a) Set cost portion...............  225.
        (b) Sliding cost portion...........  13 per party.
        (v) Monthly request does not
         require a FR notice:
        (a) Set cost portion...............  14.
        (b) Sliding cost portion...........  4 per party.
        (vi) Monthly request does require a
         FR notice:
        (a) Set cost portion...............  180.
        (b) Sliding cost portion...........  4 per party.
    (99) (i) Application fee for the STB's   200.
     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     116 per hour.
         Waybill requests to the Board.
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[FR Doc. 2016-18295 Filed 8-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P