Fees: Licensing and related services; 2000 update,

[Federal Register: December 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 238)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 77319-77322]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11de00-17]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1002

[STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 5)]

Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection With Licensing and Related Services--2000 Update

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Final rules.

SUMMARY: The Board adopts its 2000 User Fee Update and revises its fee schedule at this time to recover the cost associated with the January 2000 Government salary increases plus increases to its Federal Register publication costs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective January 10, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Groves, (202) 565-1551, or Anne Quinlan, (202) 565-1727. [TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 565- 1695.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board's regulations in 49 CFR 1002.3 require the Board's user fee schedule to be updated annually. The Board's regulations in 49 CFR 1002.3(a) provide that the entire fee schedule or selected fees can be modified more than once a year, if necessary. The Board's fees are revised based on the cost study formula set forth at 49 CFR 1002.3(d). Also, in some previous years, selected fees were modified to reflect new cost study data or changes in Board or Interstate Commerce Commission fee policy.

Because Board employees received a salary increase of 4.94% in January 2000, we are updating our user fees to recover the increased personnel costs. We also are increasing the fees to take into account an approximate increase of 4.2% in our publication costs. With certain exceptions, all fees will be updated based on our cost formula contained in 49 CFR 1002.3(d).

The fee increases involved here result only from the mechanical application of the update formula in 49 CFR 1002.3(d), which was adopted through notice and comment procedures in Regulations Governing Fees for Services--1987 Update, 4 I.C.C.2d 137 (1987). In addition, no new fees are being proposed in this proceeding. Therefore, we believe notice and comment are unnecessary for this proceeding. See Regulations Governing Fees for Services--1990 Update, 7 I.C.C.2d 3 (1990); Regulations Governing Fees for Services--1991 Update, 8 I.C.C.2d 13 (1991); and Regulations Governing Fees for Services--1993 Update, 9 I.C.C.2d 855 (1993).

We conclude that the fee changes being adopted here will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because the Board's regulations provide for waiver of filing fees for those entities that can make the required showing of financial hardship.

Additional information is contained in the Board's decision. To obtain a copy of the full decision, write, call, or pick up in person from Da-to-Da Office Solutions, Suite 405, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. Telephone: (202) 466-5530. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through TDD services 1-800-877-8339.]

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1002

Administrative practice and procedure, Common carriers, Freedom of information, User fees.

Decided: December 4, 2000.

By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Burkes, and Commissioner Clyburn. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary.

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

1. The authority citation for part 1002 continues to read as follows:

[[Page 77320]]

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A) and 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701 and 49 U.S.C. 721(a).

2. Section 1002.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), (c) and (e)(1) and the table in paragraph (f)(6) to read as follows:

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

* * * * *

(b) Service involved in examination of tariffs or schedules for preparation of certified copies of tariffs or schedules or extracts therefrom at the rate of $28.00per hour.

(c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc., incidental thereto, at the rate of $19.00per hour. * * * * *

(e) * * *

(1) A fee of $49.00per hour for professional staff time will be charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data. * * * * *

(f) * * *

(6) * * *

Grade

Rate

GS-1......................................................... $8.21 GS-2......................................................... 8.94 GS-3......................................................... 10.08 GS-4......................................................... 11.31 GS-5......................................................... 12.65 GS-6......................................................... 14.11 GS-7......................................................... 15.67 GS-8......................................................... 17.36 GS-9......................................................... 19.17 GS-10........................................................ 21.12 GS-11........................................................ 23.20 GS-12........................................................ 27.81 GS-13........................................................ 33.07 GS-14........................................................ 39.07 GS-15 and over............................................... 45.96

* * * * *

2. In Sec. 1002.2, paragraph (f) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1002.2 Filing fees.

* * * * *

(f) Schedule of filing fees.

Type of proceeding

Fee

Part I: Non-Rail Applications or Proceedings to Enter Upon a Particular Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement

(1) An application for the pooling or division of traffic.... $2,900 (2) An application involving the purchase, lease,

1,400 consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of a motor carrier of passengers under 49 U.S.C. 14303................. (3) An application for approval of a non-rail rate

18,300 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................................ 3,100.

(ii) Minor amendment.....................................

70. (5) An application for temporary authority to operate a motor

300 carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C. 14303(i)................... (6) A notice of exemption for transaction within a motor

1,100 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 certificate authorizing the

4,800 extension, acquisition, or operation of lines of railroad. 49 U.S.C. 10901.............................................

(ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31-1150.35.... 1,200

(iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502....... 8,300 (12) (i) An application involving the construction of a rail 49,300 line........................................................

(ii) A notice of exemption involving construction of a

1,200 rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36..........................

(iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502

49,300 involving construction of a rail line................... (13) A Feeder Line Development Program application filed2,600 under 49 U.S.C. 10907(b)(1)(A)(i) or 10907(b)(1)(A)(ii)..... (14) (i) An application of a class II or class III carrier to 4,100 acquire an extended or additional rail line under 49 U.S.C. 10902.......................................................

(ii) Notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41-1150.45.... 1,200

(iii) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502

4,400 relating to an exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10902............................................ (15) A notice of a modified certificate of public convenience 1,100 and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21-1150.24.................. (16)-(20) [Reserved]

Part III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services Proceedings

(21) (i) An application for authority to abandon all or a

14,600 portion of a line of railroad or discontinue operation thereof filedby a railroad (except applications filedby 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 abandonment or discontinuance

2,500 under 49 CFR 1152.50....................................

(iii) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502..... 4,200 (22) An application for authority to abandon all or a portion

300 of a line of a railroad or operation thereof filedby Consolidated Rail Corporation pursuant to Northeast Rail Service Act................................................. (23) Abandonments filedby bankrupt railroads................ 1,200 (24) A request for waiver of filing requirements for

1,200 abandonment application proceedings......................... (25) An offer of financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. 10904

1,000 relating to the purchase of or subsidy for a rail line proposed for abandonment.................................... (26) A request to set terms and conditions for the sale of or 14,900 subsidy for a rail line proposed to be abandoned............ (27) A request for a trail use condition in an abandonment

150 proceeding under 16 U.S.C.1247(d)........................... (28)-(35) [Reserved]

Part IV: Rail Applications to Enter Upon a Particular Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement

(36) An application for use of terminal facilities or other 12,500 applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102.......................... (37) An application for the pooling or division of traffic.

6,800 49 U.S.C. 11322.............................................

[[Page 77321]]

(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.................................... $986,300

(ii) Significant transaction............................. 197,200

(iii) Minor transaction.................................. 5,300

(iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR

1,100 118.02(d)...............................................

(v) Responsive application............................... 5,300

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502........ 6,200 (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.................................... 986,300

(ii) Significant transaction............................. 197,200

(iii) Minor transaction.................................. 5,300

(iv) A notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR

950 118.02(d)...............................................

(v) Responsive application............................... 5,300

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502........ 6,200 (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.................................... 986,300

(ii) Significant transaction............................. 197,200

(iii) Minor transaction.................................. 5,300

(iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR

850 118.02(d)...............................................

(v) Responsive application............................... 5,300

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502........ 6,200 (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.................................... 986,300

(ii) Significant transaction............................. 197,200

(iii) Minor transaction.................................. 5,300

(iv) Notice of an exempt transaction under 49 CFR

1,000 118.02(d)...............................................

(v) Responsive application............................... 5,300

(vi) Petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502........ 4,400 (42) Notice of a joint project involving relocation of a rail 1,600 line under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5).............................. (43) An application for approval of a rail rate association 46,100 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................................ 8,600.

(ii) Minor amendment.....................................

70 (45) An application for authority to hold a position as

500 officer or director under 49 U.S.C. 11328................... (46) A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 (other

5,300 than a rulemaking) filedby rail carrier not otherwise covered..................................................... (47) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

150 conveyance proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562................... (48) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

150 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 filedunder the coal rate

55,000 guidelines (Stand-Alone Cost Methodology) alleging unlawful rates and/or practices of rail carriers under 49 U.S.C. 10704(c)(1)...................................

(ii) All other formal complaints (except competitive

5,400 access complaints.......................................

(iii) Competitive access complaints......................

150 (57) A complaint seeking or a petition requesting institution 5,800 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 order involving a dispute 1,000. over an existing rate or practice which is comparable to a complaint proceeding..................................

(ii) All other petitions for declaratory order........... 1,400 (59) An application for shipper antitrust immunity. 49 U.S.C. 4,700 10706(a)(5)(A).............................................. (60) Labor arbitration proceedings...........................

150 (61) Appeals to a Surface Transportation Board decision and

150 petitions to revoke an exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(d).................................................... (62) Motor carrier undercharge proceedings...................

150 (63)-(75) [Reserved]

Part VI: Informal Proceedings

(76) An application for authority to establish released value

800 rates or ratings for motor carriers and freight forwarders of household goods under 49 U.S.C. 14706.................... (77) An application for special permission for short notice

80 or the waiver of other tariff publishing requirements....... (78) (i) The filing of tariffs, including supplements, or

1 contract summaries (per page, $16 minimum charge)...........

(ii) Tariffs transmitted by fax (per page)...............

1 (79) Special docket applications from rail and water carriers:

(i) Applications involving $25,000 or less...............

50

(ii) Applications involving over $25,000.................

100 (80) Informal complaint about rail rate applications.........

400

[[Page 77322]]

(81) Tariff reconciliation petitions from motor common carriers:

(i) Petitions involving $25,000 or less..................

$50

(ii) Petitions involving over $25,000....................

100 (82) Request for a determination of the applicability or

150 reasonableness of motor carrier rates under 49 U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3)......................................... (83) Filing of documents for recordation. 49 U.S.C. 11301 and

27 49 CFR 1177.3(c) (per document)............................. (84) Informal opinions about rate applications (all modes)...

150 (85) A railroad accounting interpretation....................

750 (86) An operational interpretation...........................

950 (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 Declining to Submit

75 to Any Arbitration......................................

(iii) Third Party Complaint..............................

75

(iv) Third Party Answer (per defendant), Unless Declining

75 to Submit to Any Arbitration............................

(v) Appeals of Arbitration Decisions or Petitions to

150 Modify or Vacate an Arbitration Award................... (88)-(95) [Reserved]

Part VII: Service

(96) Messenger delivery of decision to a railroad carrier's

21 Washington, DC, agent (per delivery)........................ (97) Request for service or pleading list for proceedings

16 (per list).................................................. (98) (i) Processing the paperwork related to a request for

200 the Carload Waybill Sample to be used in a Surface Transportation Board or State proceeding that does not require a Federal Register notice...........................

(ii) Processing the paperwork related to a request for

450 Carload Waybill Sample to be used for reasons other than a Surface Transportation Board or State proceeding that requires a Federal Register notice...................... (99) (i) Application fee for the Surface Transportation

100 Board's Practitioners' Exam.................................

(ii) Practitioners' Exam Information Package.............

25 (100) Uniform Railroad Costing System (URCS) software and information:

(i) Initial PC version URCS Phase III software program

50 and manual..............................................

(ii) Updated URCS PC version Phase III cost file, if

10 computer disk provided by requestor.....................

(iii) Updated URCS PC version Phase III cost file, if

20 computer disk provided by the Board.....................

(iv) Public requests for Source Codes to the PC version

500 URCS Phase III..........................................

(v) PC version or mainframe version URCS Phase II........

400

(vi) PC version or mainframe version Updated Phase II

50 databases...............................................

(vii) Public requests for Source Codes to PC version URCS 1,500 Phase II................................................ (101) Carload Waybill Sample data on recordable compact disk (R-CD):

(i) Requests for Public Use File on R-CD--First Year.....

450

(ii) Requests for Public Use File on R-CD Each Additional

150 Year....................................................

(iii) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board or State

650 proceedings on R-CD--First Year.........................

(iv) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board or State

450 proceedings on R-CD--Second Year on same R-CD...........

(v) Waybill--Surface Transportation Board of State

500 proceeding on R-CD--Second Year on different R-CD.......

(vi) User Guide for latest available Carload Waybill

50 Sample..................................................

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 00-31344Filed12-8-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915-00-P

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