United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-07-12 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:T-RCED-94-261 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-94-261 P0b002ee18037569e f:trc94261 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-94-261 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-94-261 T-RCED-94-261 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 Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform Act of 1994 Testimony RCED 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. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-94-261/html/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-94-261.htm GAO/T-RCED-94-261 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-94-261 Testimony GAO/T-RCED-94-261; Interstate Commerce Commission: Key Issues Need to Be Addressed in Determining Future of ICC's Regulatory Functions; 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 Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform Act of 1994