Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection With Licensing and Related Services-2015 Update
Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)
Rules and Regulations
Pages 41437-41441
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2015-17315
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
Docket No. EP 542 (Sub-No. 23)
Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection With Licensing and Related Services--2015 Update
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
ACTION: Final rules.
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SUMMARY: The Board updates for 2015 the fees that the public must pay to file certain cases and pleadings with the Board. The update will increase 11 fees by $50 or less, increase 34 fees by $100, increase 22 fees by more than $100, and keep the remaining 58 fees at their existing level.
DATES: These rules are effective August 14, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David T. Groves, (202) 245-0327, or Andrea Pope-Matheson (202) 245-0363. TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board's regulations at 49 CFR 1002.3 provide for an annual update of the Board's entire user-fee schedule. Fees are generally revised based on the cost study formula set forth at 49 CFR 1002.3(d). As compared with the 2014 fee update, the 2015 fee changes adopted here reflect a combination of a 1% across-the-board increase to salary costs; no change in publication cost levels; increases to two of the three Board Overhead cost factors; and a modest decrease to the third Board Overhead cost factor from its comparable 2014 level, resulting from the mechanical application of the update formula in 49 CFR 1002.3(d). Results from the formula application indicate that justified fee amounts in this 2015 update decision either remain unchanged (58 fee items), increase $50 or less (11 fee items), increase by $100 (34 fee items) or increase over $100 (22 fee items) from their respective 2014 update levels. No new fee items are proposed in this proceeding. Therefore, the Board finds that notice and comment are unnecessary for this proceeding. See Regulations Governing Fees for Servs.--1990 Update, 7 I.C.C.2d 3 (1990); Regulations Governing Fees for Servs.--1991 Update, 8 I.C.C.2d 13 (1991); Regulations Governing Fees for
Page 41438
Servs.--1993 Update, 9 I.C.C.2d 855 (1993).
Additional information is contained in the Board's decision. To obtain a free copy of the full decision, visit the Board's Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov or call (202) 245-0245. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through Federal Information Relay Services (FIRS): (800) 877-8339.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1002
Administrative practice and procedure, Common carriers, and Freedom of information.
Decided: July 9, 2015.
By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and Commissioner Miller.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
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
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1. The authority citation for part 1002 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A) and 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701 and 49 U.S.C. 721(a). Section 1002.1(g)(11) is also issued under 5 U.S.C. 5514 and 31 U.S.C. 3717.
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2. Section 1002.1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) through (c), (f)(1) and (g)(6) to read as follows:
Sec. 1002.1 Fees for records search, review, copying, certification, and related services.
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(a) Certificate of the Records Officer, $18.00.
(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 $42.00 per hour.
(c) Service involved in checking records to be certified to determine authenticity, including clerical work, etc. identical thereto, at the rate of $29.00 per hour.
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(f) * * *
(1) A fee of $73.00 per hour for professional staff time will be charged when it is required to fulfill a request for ADP data.
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(g) * * *
(6) The search and review hourly fees will be based upon employee grade levels in order to recoup the full, allowable direct costs attributable to their performance of these functions. They are as follows:
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Grade Rate
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GS-1.................................................... $12.25
GS-2.................................................... 13.33
GS-3.................................................... 15.03
GS-4.................................................... 16.87
GS-5.................................................... 18.88
GS-6.................................................... 21.04
GS-7.................................................... 23.38
GS-8.................................................... 25.90
GS-9.................................................... 28.60
GS-10................................................... 31.50
GS-11................................................... 34.60
GS-12................................................... 41.48
GS-13................................................... 49.32
GS-14................................................... 58.28
GS-15 and over.......................................... 68.56
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3. In 1002.2, paragraph (f) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 1002.2 Filing fees.
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(f) Schedule of filing fees.
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Type of proceeding Fee
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PART I: Non-Rail Applications or Proceedings to Enter Into a Particular
Financial Transaction or Joint Arrangement:
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(1) An application for the pooling $4,700.
or division of traffic.
(2)(i) An application involving the $2,100.
purchase, lease, consolidation,
merger, or acquisition of control
of a motor carrier of passengers
under 49 U.S.C. 14303.
(ii) A petition for exemption $3,400.
under 49 U.S.C. 13541 (other
than a rulemaking) filed by a
non-rail carrier not otherwise
covered.
(iii) A petition to revoke an $2,800.
exemption filed under 49 U.S.C.
13541(d).
(3) An application for approval of a $29,500.
non-rail rate 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....... $4,900.
(ii) Minor amendment............ $100.
(5) An application for temporary $500.
authority to operate a motor
carrier of passengers. 49 U.S.C.
14303(i).
(6) A notice of exemption for $1,800.
transaction within a motor
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
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PART II: Rail Licensing Proceedings other than Abandonment or
Discontinuance Proceedings:
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(11) (i) An application for a $7,700.
certificate authorizing the
extension, acquisition, or
operation of lines of railroad. 49
U.S.C. 10901.
(ii) Notice of exemption under $1,900.
49 CFR 1150.31-1150.35.
(iii) Petition for exemption $13,400.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(12) (i) An application involving $79,700.
the construction of a rail line.
(ii) A notice of exemption $1,900.
involving construction of a
rail line under 49 CFR 1150.36.
(iii) A petition for exemption $79,700.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502 involving
construction of a rail line.
(iv) A request for determination $300.
of a dispute involving a rail
construction that crosses the
line of another carrier under
49 U.S.C. 10902(d).
(13) A Feeder Line Development $2,600.
Program application filed under 49
U.S.C. 10907(b)(1)(A)(i) or
10907(b)(1)(A)(ii).
(14)(i) An application of a class II $6,600.
or class III carrier to acquire an
extended or additional rail line
under 49 U.S.C. 10902..
(ii) Notice of exemption under $1,900.
49 CFR 1150.41-1150.45.
(iii) Petition for exemption $7,000.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502 relating
to an exemption from the
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10902.
(15) A notice of a modified $1,800.
certificate of public convenience
and necessity under 49 CFR 1150.21-
1150.24.
(16) An application for a land-use- $6,400.
exemption permit for a facility
existing as of October 16, 2008
under 49 U.S.C. 10909.
(17) An application for a land-use- $22,600.
exemption permit for a facility not
existing as of October 16, 2008
under 49 U.S.C. 10909.
(18)-(20) Reserved
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Page 41439
PART III: Rail Abandonment or Discontinuance of Transportation Services
Proceedings:
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(21) (i) An application for $23,700.
authority to abandon all or a
portion of a line of railroad or
discontinue operation thereof filed
by a railroad (except applications
filed by 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 $3,900.
abandonment or discontinuance
under 49 CFR 1152.50.
(iii) A petition for exemption $6,700.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(22) An application for authority to $500.
abandon all or a portion of a line
of a railroad or operation thereof
filed by Consolidated Rail
Corporation pursuant to Northeast
Rail Service Act..
(23) Abandonments filed by bankrupt $2,000.
railroads.
(24) A request for waiver of filing $1,900.
requirements for abandonment
application proceedings.
(25) An offer of financial $1,600.
assistance under 49 U.S.C. 10904
relating to the purchase of or
subsidy for a rail line proposed
for abandonment.
(26) A request to set terms and $24,200.
conditions for the sale of or
subsidy for a rail line proposed to
be abandoned.
(27) (i) A request for a trail use $300.
condition in an abandonment
proceeding under 16 U.S.C.1247(d).
(ii) A request to extend the $450.
period to negotiate a trail use
agreement.
(28)-(35) Reserved
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PART IV: Rail Applications to Enter Into a Particular Financial
Transaction or Joint Arrangement:
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(36) An application for use of $20,200.
terminal facilities or other
applications under 49 U.S.C. 11102.
(37) An application for the pooling $10,900.
or division of traffic. 49 U.S.C.
11322.
(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........... $1,593,600.
(ii) Significant transaction.... $318,700.
(iii) Minor transaction......... $7,900.
(iv) Notice of an exempt $1,800.
transaction under 49 CFR
1180.2(d).
(v) Responsive application...... $7,900.
(vi) Petition for exemption $10,000.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(vii) A request for waiver or $5,900.
clarification of regulations
filed in a major financial
proceeding as defined at 49 CFR
1180.2(a).
(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........... $1,593,600.
(ii) Significant transaction.... $318,700.
(iii) Minor transaction......... $7,900.
(iv) A notice of an exempt $1,400.
transaction under 49 CFR
1180.2(d).
(v) Responsive application...... $7,900.
(vi) Petition for exemption $10,000.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(vii) A request for waiver or $5,900.
clarification of regulations
filed in a major financial
proceeding as defined at 49 CFR
1180.2(a).
(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........... $1,593,600.
(ii) Significant transaction.... $318,700.
(iii) Minor transaction......... $7,900.
(iv) Notice of an exempt $1,200.
transaction under 49 CFR
1180.2(d).
(v) Responsive application...... $7,900.
(vi) Petition for exemption $10,000.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(vii) A request for waiver or $5,900.
clarification of regulations
filed in a major financial
proceeding as defined at 49 CFR
1180.2(a).
(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........... $1,593,600.
(ii) Significant transaction.... $318,700.
(iii) Minor transaction......... $7,900.
(iv) Notice of an exempt $1,400.
transaction under 49 CFR
1180.2(d).
(v) Responsive application...... $7,900.
(vi) Petition for exemption $7,000.
under 49 U.S.C. 10502.
(vii) A request for waiver or $5,900.
clarification of regulations
filed in a major financial
proceeding as defined at 49 CFR
1180.2(a).
(42) Notice of a joint project $2,500.
involving relocation of a rail line
under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(5).
(43) An application for approval of $74,600.
a rail rate association 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....... $13,800.
(ii) Minor amendment............ $100.
(45) An application for authority to $800.
hold a position as officer or
director under 49 U.S.C. 11328.
(46) A petition for exemption under $8,500.
49 U.S.C. 10502 (other than a
rulemaking) filed by rail carrier
not otherwise covered.
(47) National Railroad Passenger $300.
Corporation (Amtrak) conveyance
proceeding under 45 U.S.C. 562.
(48) National Railroad Passenger $300.
Corporation (Amtrak) compensation
proceeding under Section 402(a) of
the Rail Passenger Service Act.
Page 41440
(49)-(55) Reserved
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PART V: Formal Proceedings:
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(56) A formal complaint alleging
unlawful rates or practices of
carriers:.
(i) A formal complaint filed $350.
under the coal rate guidelines
(Stand-Alone Cost Methodology)
alleging unlawful rates and/or
practices of rail carriers
under 49 U.S.C. 10704(c)(1).
(ii) A formal complaint $350.
involving rail maximum rates
filed under the Simplified-SAC
methodology . . . . . . . ..
(iii) A formal complaint $150.
involving rail maximum rates
filed under the Three Benchmark
methodology.
(iv) All other formal complaints $350.
(except competitive access
complaints).
(v) Competitive access $150.
complaints.
(vi) A request for an order $300.
compelling a rail carrier to
establish a common carrier rate.
(57) A complaint seeking or a $9,400.
petition requesting institution 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 $1,000.
order involving a dispute over
an existing rate or practice
which is comparable to a
complaint proceeding.
(ii) All other petitions for $1,400.
declaratory order.
(59) An application for shipper $7,500.
antitrust immunity. 49 U.S.C.
10706(a)(5)(A).
(60) Labor arbitration proceedings.. $300.
(61) (i) An appeal of a Surface $300.
Transportation Board decision on
the merits or petition to revoke an
exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
10502(d).
(ii) An appeal of a Surface $400.
Transportation Board decision on
procedural matters except discovery
rulings.
(62) Motor carrier undercharge $300.
proceedings.
(63) (i) Expedited relief for $300.
service inadequacies: A request for
expedited relief under 49 U.S.C.
11123 and 49 CFR part 1146 for
service emergency.
(ii) Expedited relief for $300.
service inadequacies: A request
for temporary relief under 49
U.S.C. 10705 and 11102, and 49
CFR part 1147 for service
inadequacy.
(64) A request for waiver or $600.
clarification of regulations except
one filed in an abandonment or
discontinuance proceeding, or in a
major financial proceeding as
defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a).
(65)-(75) Reserved
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PART VI: Informal Proceedings:
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(76) An application for authority to $1,300.
establish released value rates or
ratings for motor carriers and
freight forwarders of household
goods under 49 U.S.C. 14706.
(77) An application for special $100.
permission for short notice or the
waiver of other tariff publishing
requirements.
(78) The filing of tariffs, $1 per page ($26 min. charge.)
including supplements, or contract
summaries.
(79) Special docket applications
from rail and water carriers:
(i) Applications involving $75.
$25,000 or less.
(ii) Applications involving over $150.
$25,000.
(80) Informal complaint about rail $650.
rate applications.
(81) Tariff reconciliation petitions ..................................
from motor common carriers:.
(i) Petitions involving $25,000 $75.
or less.
(ii) Petitions involving over $150.
$25,000.
(82) Request for a determination of $250.
the applicability or reasonableness
of motor carrier rates under 49
U.S.C. 13710(a)(2) and (3).
(83) Filing of documents for $43 per document.
recordation. 49 U.S.C. 11301 and 49
CFR 1177.3(c)..
(84) Informal opinions about rate $250.
applications (all modes).
(85) A railroad accounting $1,200.
interpretation.
(86) (i) A request for an informal $1,500.
opinion not otherwise covered.
(ii) A proposal to use on a $5,400.
voting trust agreement pursuant
to 49 CFR 1013 and 49 CFR
1180.4(b)(4)(iv) in connection
with a major control proceeding
as defined at 49 CFR 1180.2(a).
(iii) A request for an informal $550.
opinion on a voting trust
agreement pursuant to 49 CFR
1013.3(a) not otherwise covered.
(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), $75.
Unless Declining to Submit to
Any Arbitration.
(iii) Third Party Complaint..... $75.
(iv) Third Party Answer (per $75.
defendant), Unless Declining to
Submit to Any Arbitration.
(v) Appeals of Arbitration $150.
Decisions or Petitions to
Modify or Vacate an Arbitration
Award.
(88) Basic fee for STB adjudicatory $300.
services not otherwise covered.
(89)-(95) Reserved
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PART VII: Services:
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(96) Messenger delivery of decision $34 per delivery.
to a railroad carrier's Washington,
DC, agent.
(97) Request for service or pleading $26 per list.
list for proceedings.
(98) Processing the paperwork ..................................
related to a request for the
Carload Waybill Sample to be used
in a Surface Transportation Board
or State proceeding that:.
(i) Does not require a Federal ..................................
Register notice:.
(a) Set cost portion............ $150.
Page 41441
(b) Sliding cost portion........ $50 per party.
(ii) Does require a Federal ..................................
Register notice:.
(a) Set cost portion............ $400.
(b) Sliding cost portion........ $50 per party.
(99) (i) Application fee for the $200.
Surface Transportation Board's
Practitioners' Exam.
(ii) Practitioners' Exam $25.
Information Package.
(100) Carload Waybill Sample data:..
(i) Requests for Public Use File $250 per year.
for all years prior to the most
current year Carload Waybill
Sample data available, provided
on CD-R.
(ii) Specialized programming for $114 per hour.
Waybill requests to the Board.
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FR Doc. 2015-17315 Filed 7-14-15; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
