Interstate Commerce Commission: Key Issues Need to Be Addressed in
Determining Future of ICC's Regulatory Functions (Testimony, 07/12/94,
GAO/T-RCED-94-261).

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) continues to perform several
important rail regulatory functions that are essential as long as there
are captive shippers and market-dominated railroads. These duties could
conceivably be transferred to the Transportation and Justice
Departments, but it is unclear whether the benefits would be significant
and the potential exists for loss of independence in decision-making.
There is greater potential for budgetary savings in the motor carrier
area. Although many shippers and transportation brokers question the
need for the current system of motor carrier rate and entry regulation,
Congress needs to answer basic questions about the appropriate extent of
motor carrier tariff filing and entry application requirements in a
deregulated environment. These functions constitute about one-third of
ICC's annual budget. ICC's ancillary motor carrier functions, such as
providing consumer protection for the movement of household goods,
continue to be important and will likely need to be either performed by
ICC or transferred to another agency along with the resources to carry
them out adequately. If Congress decides to eliminate ICC, GAO believes
that the potential impacts of this action on the transportation industry
should be taken into account. In addition, a transitional period will be
needed to ensure a smooth and orderly transfer of activities. smooth and
orderly transfer of activities.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-RCED-94-261
     TITLE:  Interstate Commerce Commission: Key Issues Need to Be 
             Addressed in Determining Future of ICC's Regulatory
             Functions
      DATE:  07/12/94
   SUBJECT:  Transportation industry
             Interstate commerce
             Proposed legislation
             Independent regulatory commissions
             Railroad transportation operations
             Railroad regulation
             Transportation rates
             Motor carrier operations
             Freight transportation operations
             Federal agency reorganization
IDENTIFIER:  Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform Act of 1994
             
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