[ The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Surface Transportation Board Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]



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Part LXIV





Surface Transportation Board





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD (STB)                               
  
_______________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Ch. X

[STB Ex Parte No. 536; Sub-No. 5]

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board, in accordance with the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, is publishing a 
semiannual agenda of: (1) Current and projected rulemakings and (2) 
existing regulations being reviewed to determine whether to propose 
modifications through rulemaking. Listed below are the regulatory 
actions to be developed or reviewed during the next 12 months. 
Following each rule identified is a brief description of the rule 
including its purpose and legal basis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A contact person is identified for 
each of the rules listed below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq. (RFA), sets forth a number of requirements for agency 
rulemaking. Among other things, the RFA requires that, during the 
months of April and October of each year, each agency shall publish in 
the Federal Register a regulatory flexibility agenda, which shall 
contain:

    (1) A brief description of the subject area of any rule which 
the agency expects to propose or promulgate which is likely to have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities;

    (2) A summary of the nature of any such rule under 
consideration for each subject area listed in the agenda pursuant 
to paragraph (1), the objectives and legal basis for the issuance 
of the rule, and an approximate schedule for completing action on 
any rule for which the agency has issued a general notice of 
proposed rulemaking; and

    (3) The name and telephone number of an agency official 
knowledgeable concerning the items listed in paragraph (1).

    Accordingly, a list of proceedings appears below containing 
information about subject areas in which the Board is currently 
conducting rulemaking proceedings or may institute such proceedings 
in the near future. It also contains information about existing 
regulations being reviewed to determine whether to propose 
modifications through rulemaking.

    The agenda represents the Board's best estimate of rules which 
will be considered over the next 12 months. However, section 602(d) 
of the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 602(d), provides: ``Nothing in [section 602] 
precludes an agency from considering or acting on any matter not 
included in a regulatory flexibility agenda or requires an agency 
to consider or act on any matter listed in such agenda.''

    The Board is publishing its October 1998 regulatory flexibility 
agenda as part of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions. The Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions is coordinated by the Office of Management and 
Budget pursuant to Executive Order 12866. The Board is 
participating in the program voluntarily to assist OMB.

Decided: August 21, 1998.

By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice Chairman Owen.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

                                                Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4728         Railroad Consolidation Procedures: Class Exemption for Transactions Subject to the
            Statutory Consolidation Provision, Ex Parte No. 282 (Sub-No. 15)......................    2140-AA03
4729         Safe Implementation of Board-Approved Transactions, STB Ex Parte No. 574.............    2140-AA50
4730         Market Dominance Determination--Product and Geographic Competition, STB Ex Parte No.
            627...................................................................................    2140-AA51
4731         Expedited Relief for Service Inadequacies, STB Ex Parte No. 628......................    2140-AA52
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4732         Rail General Exemption Authority--Exemption of Paints, Enamels, Lacquers, Shellacs,
            etc., Ex Parte No. 346 (Sub-No. 33)...................................................    2140-AA05
4733         Revisions to Regulations Governing Finance Applications Involving Motor Passenger
            Carriers, STB Ex Parte No. 559........................................................    2140-AA37
4734         Rail General Exemption Authority--Nonferrous Recyclables, STB Ex Parte No. 561.......    2140-AA39
4735         Rail Service Continuation Subsidy Standards, STB Ex Parte No. 566....................    2140-AA43
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD (STB)              Long-Term Actions
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4728. RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION PROCEDURES: CLASS EXEMPTION FOR 
TRANSACTIONS SUBJECT TO THE STATUTORY CONSOLIDATION PROVISION, EX PARTE 
NO. 282 (SUB-NO. 15)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  49 USC 10321; 49 USC 10505; 49 USC 11341; 49 USC 
11343 to 11346; 11 USC 1172; 45 USC 904; 45 USC 915; 5 USC 553; 5 USC 
559

CFR Citation:  49 CFR 1180

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is considering whether to expand the 
``nonconnecting carrier'' class exemption to embrace all transactions 
subject to the statutory consolidation provision, except (1) 
transactions involving the merger or control of at least two class I 
railroads; (2) transactions involving a reduction in the number of 
noncommonly controlled railroads serving any two points; (3) 
transactions involving a reduction from three to two in the number of 
noncommonly controlled railroads serving any interchange points.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/14/92                    57 FR 31165
NPRM Comment Period End         08/30/92
Internal Review of Comments     00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Additional Information: Statutory references to title 49 of the United 
States Code are prior to their amendment by the ICC Termination Act of 
1995, Pub. L. 104-88, 109 Stat. 803, which became effective on January 
1, 1996.

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD: 202 565-1695
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA03
_______________________________________________________________________

4729. SAFE IMPLEMENTATION OF BOARD-APPROVED TRANSACTIONS, STB EX PARTE 
NO. 574

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  49 USC 10101

CFR Citation:  Not yet determined

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board has decided to proceed in a 
coordinated way with the United States Department of Transportation/
Federal Railroad Administration to develop a notice of proposed 
rulemaking addressing procedures for the safe implementation of Board-
approved transactions.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           12/04/97                    62 FR 64193
ANPRM Comment Period End        02/19/98
Internal Review of Comments     00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1600
TDD: 202 565-1695
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA50
_______________________________________________________________________

4730.  MARKET DOMINANCE DETERMINATION--PRODUCT AND GEOGRAPHIC 
COMPETITION, STB EX PARTE NO. 627

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  49 USC 721; 49 USC 10707

CFR Citation:  None

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board is considering removing 
product and geographic competition as factors in market dominance 
determinations in railroad rate proceedings.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/29/98                    63 FR 24588
NPRM Comment Period End         06/29/98
Comments Under Review           00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas J. Stilling, Attorney, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423
Phone: 202 565-1558
TDD: 202 565-1695
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA51
_______________________________________________________________________

4731.  EXPEDITED RELIEF FOR SERVICE INADEQUACIES, STB EX PARTE 
NO. 628

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  49 USC 721; 49 USC 11102; 49 USC 11123; 49 USC 10705

CFR Citation:  49 CFR 1146

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board proposes revised rules that 
would establish expedited procedures for shippers to obtain alternative 
service from another rail carrier when the incumbent carrier cannot 
properly serve shippers.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/12/98                    63 FR 27253
NPRM Comment Period End         07/15/98
Comments Under Review           00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Theodore K. Kalick, Attorney, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423
Phone: 202 565-1568
TDD: 202 565-1695
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA52

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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD (STB)              Completed Actions
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4732. RAIL GENERAL EXEMPTION AUTHORITY--EXEMPTION OF PAINTS, ENAMELS, 
LACQUERS, SHELLACS, ETC., EX PARTE NO. 346 (SUB-NO. 33)

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  49 USC 10321; 49 USC 10505; 49 USC 10708; 49 USC 
10762; 49 USC 11105; 5 USC 553

CFR Citation:  49 CFR 1039

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board has decided not to exempt 
from regulation the rail transportation of paints, enamels, lacquers, 
shellacs, and other commodities included within Standard Transportation 
Commodity Code (STCC) No. 285.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            10/21/93                    58 FR 54318
NPRM Comment Period End         11/22/93
Withdrawn                       04/20/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Additional Information: This proceeding was discontinued by decision 
served April 20, 1998. Notice of the decision was not published in the 
Federal Register.

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD: 202 565-1695
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA05
_______________________________________________________________________

4733. REVISIONS TO REGULATIONS GOVERNING FINANCE APPLICATIONS INVOLVING 
MOTOR PASSENGER CARRIERS, STB EX PARTE NO. 559

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

Legal Authority:  5 USC 552(a)(4)(A); 5 USC 553; 31 USC 9701; 49 USC 
721(a); 49 USC 14303

CFR Citation:  49 CFR 1002.2(f)(2); 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(5); 49 CFR 1182; 
49 CFR 1187; 49 CFR 1188

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board has revised the procedures 
governing finance applications involving motor passenger carriers filed 
under 49 USC 14303. The regulations at 49 CFR parts 1187 and 1188 were 
removed and replaced by new provisions incorporated at 49 CFR part 
1182.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/08/97                    62 FR 36477
NPRM Comment Period End         08/07/97
Final Action                    09/01/98                    63 FR 46394
Final Action Effective          10/01/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Beryl Gordon, Deputy Director, Office of Proceedings, 
Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-
0001
Phone: 202 565-1600
TDD: 202 565-1695
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA37
_______________________________________________________________________

4734. RAIL GENERAL EXEMPTION AUTHORITY--NONFERROUS RECYCLABLES, STB EX 
PARTE NO. 561

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will revise text in the CFR to reduce burden or 
duplication, or streamline requirements.

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553; 49 USC 10502; 49 USC 13301

CFR Citation:  49 CFR 1039

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board has exempted from regulation 
the rail transportation of 29 nonferrous recyclables.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/16/97                    62 FR 27003
NPRM Comment Period End         07/15/97
Final Action                    04/21/98                    63 FR 19663
Final Action Effective          05/21/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Additional Information: This rulemaking embraces and expands the 
proposed rulemaking in Ex Parte No. 346 (Sub-No. 36), which was issued 
by the former Interstate Commerce Commission. That proceeding was 
discontinued on May 5, 1997.

Agency Contact: Beryl Gordon, Deputy Director, Office of Proceedings, 
Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-
0001
Phone: 202 565-1600
TDD: 202 565-1695
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA39
_______________________________________________________________________

4735. RAIL SERVICE CONTINUATION SUBSIDY STANDARDS, STB EX PARTE NO. 566

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Reinventing Government: This rulemaking is part of the Reinventing 
Government effort. It will eliminate existing text in the CFR.

Legal Authority:  49 USC 721(a)

CFR Citation:  49 CFR 1155

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Surface Transportation Board has removed from the Code of 
Federal Regulations rules concerning standards for determining 
subsidies for the continuation of rail service on rail properties not 
transferred to Consolidated Rail Corporation under the Final System 
Plan pursuant to the Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Regulations 
concerning offers of financial assistance were also amended to provide 
rules for the purchase or subsidization of rail lines that have been 
continuously subsidized since the inception of the Final System Plan.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/08/97                    62 FR 42734
NPRM Comment Period End         09/08/97
Final Action                    05/22/98                    63 FR 28287
Final Action Effective          06/21/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

[[Page 62811]]

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Beryl Gordon, Deputy Director, Office of Proceedings, 
Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-
0001
Phone: 202 565-1600
TDD: 202 565-1695
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA43
[FR Doc. 98-23557 Filed 11-06-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-F