[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 LXIII





Surface Transportation Board





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 31460]]



SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD (STB)






_______________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Ch. X

[STB Ex Parte No. 536 (Sub-No. 14)]

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (the 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, semiannually, 
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 that 
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 that 
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 spring 2003 regulatory flexibility 
agenda as part of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). The Unified Agenda is 
coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), pursuant 
to Executive Order 12866. The Board is participating in the program 
voluntarily to assist OMB.

Decided:  March 20, 2003.

By the Board, Chairman Nober, Vice Chairman Burkes, and Commissioner 
Morgan.

 Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

                                 Surface Transportation Board--Long-Term Actions
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                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4240        Railroad Consolidation Procedures--Exemption for Temporary Trackage Rights, STB Ex       2140-AA68
            Parte No. 282 (Sub-No. 20)..........................................................
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                                 Surface Transportation Board--Completed Actions
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                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
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4241        Calculation of Variable Costs in Rate Complaint Proceedings Involving Non-Class I        2140-AA62
            Railroads, STB Ex Parte No. 589.....................................................
4242        Procedures To Expedite Resolution of Rail Rate Challenges To Be Considered Under the     2140-AA64
            Stand-Alone Cost Methodology, STB Ex Parte No. 638..................................
4243        Revision of Delegation of Authority Regulations, STB Ex Parte No. 588...............     2140-AA65
4244        Removal of Joint Rate Cancellation Regulations, STB Ex Parte No. 639................     2140-AA66
4245        Revision of Delegation of Authority Regulations, STB Ex Parte No. 642...............     2140-AA67
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[[Page 31461]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Surface Transportation Board (STB)                    Long-Term Actions






_______________________________________________________________________




4240. [bull] RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION PROCEDURES--EXEMPTION FOR TEMPORARY 
TRACKAGE RIGHTS, STB EX PARTE NO. 282 (SUB-NO. 20)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 49 USC 11323 to 11325; 49 USC 10502

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(8); 49 CFR 1180.4(g)(2)(iii)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The STB is proposing a new class exemption and related 
regulations that would be available for trackage rights agreements that 
by their terms expire on a date certain and would permit their 
authorization for a limited period of time.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/10/03                     68 FR 6695
NPRM Comment Period End         03/12/03
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
http://stb.dot.gov

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
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA68
_______________________________________________________________________


Surface Transportation Board (STB)                    Completed Actions






_______________________________________________________________________




4241. CALCULATION OF VARIABLE COSTS IN RATE COMPLAINT PROCEEDINGS 
INVOLVING NON-CLASS I RAILROADS, STB EX PARTE NO. 589

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 49 USC 10707

CFR Citation: None

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This proceeding was instituted to settle how the STB will 
estimate the variable costs of non-Class I railroads in future rail 
rate complaint cases.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/30/02                    67 FR 21321
NPRM Comment Period End         07/31/02
Final Action                    03/28/03                    68 FR 15263
Final Action Effective          04/27/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
http://stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Harold J. Warren, Transportation Industry Analyst, 
Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423
Phone: 202 565-1533
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9000
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA62
_______________________________________________________________________




4242. PROCEDURES TO EXPEDITE RESOLUTION OF RAIL RATE CHALLENGES TO BE 
CONSIDERED UNDER THE STAND-ALONE COST METHODOLOGY, STB EX PARTE NO. 638

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 49 USC 721(a)

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1011; 49 CFR 1114

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: To expedite decisions in rail rate cases as required by 49 
U.S.C. 10701 and 10704, the STB proposes changes to the regulations at 
49 CFR 1109 and 1114 that would require initial mediation as part of 
the complaint-filing process; modify or clarify standards for 
addressing discovery disputes; and establish expedited procedures, 
including informal conferences with staff, for resolving discovery 
disputes.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/11/02                    67 FR 57557
NPRM Comment Period End         10/31/02
Final Action                    04/09/03                    68 FR 17312
Final Action Effective          05/09/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
http://stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Thomas J. Stilling, Attorney, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1567
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9001
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA64
_______________________________________________________________________




4243. [bull] REVISION OF DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY REGULATIONS, STB EX 
PARTE NO. 588

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: PL 104-88, sec 204; 49 USC 721

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1011

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The STB revised the delegation of authority regulations to 
reflect changes made by the ICC Termination Act of 1995 and other 
changes. These rules set out the organization of the Board and 
procedures in processing cases, certain litigation, and informal 
opinions. The Board's revision of its regulations includes the removal 
of obsolete delegations of authority, and the updating of references to 
statutory provisions.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    09/25/02                    67 FR 60167
Final Action Effective          09/30/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
http://stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: John J. Sado, Assistant to the Director of the Office

[[Page 31462]]

of Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1661
TDD Phone: 800-877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9003
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA65
_______________________________________________________________________




4244. [bull] REMOVAL OF JOINT RATE CANCELLATION REGULATIONS, STB EX 
PARTE NO. 639

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: PL 104-88, sec 204; 49 USC 10705; 49 USC 11102

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1144

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The STB removed regulations concerning the cancellation of 
through routes and joint rates because those rules have been made 
obsolete by statutory changes.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    09/30/02                    67 FR 61290
Final Action Effective          09/30/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
http://stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: John J. Sado, Assistant to the Director of the Office 
of Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1661
TDD Phone: 800-877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9003
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA66
_______________________________________________________________________




4245. [bull] REVISION OF DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY REGULATIONS, STB EX 
PARTE NO. 642

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 31 USC 9701; 49 USC 701; 49 USC 721; 49 USC 
11123; 49 USC 11124; 49 USC 11144; 49 USC 14122; 49 USC 15722

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1011.4; 49 CFR 1011.7

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The STB has revised its delegations of authority (1) to 
authorize the Chairman to take necessary actions in emergency 
situations when the Chairman is the only Board member reasonably 
available, and (2) if no Board Member is available, to delegate 
authority to take such actions to the Director of the Board's Office of 
Compliance and Enforcement.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action Effective          02/14/03
Final Action                    02/25/03                     68 FR 8725

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
http://stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Melvin F. Clemens, Director, Office of Compliance and 
Enforcement, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20943-0001
Phone: 202 565-1573
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9011
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA67
[FR Doc. 03-7438 Filed 05-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-S