Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 90 Part 1.djvu/91

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PUBLIC LAW 94-000—MMMM. DD, 1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-210—FEB. 5, 1976

90 STAT. 41

other resource which is, or which will become (through the application of technology), a source of raw material for commercial or industrial use. ADEQUATE REVENUE LEVELS

SEC. 205. Section 15a of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 15a) is amended— (1) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) and at the end of paragraph (3) the following new sentence: "This paragraph shall not apply to common carriers by railroad subject to this part."; and (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6), and by inserting immediately after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph: "(4) With respect to common carriers by railroad, the Commission shall, within 24 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, develop and promulgate (and thereafter revise and maintain) reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of revenue levels adequate under honest, economical, and efficient management to cover total operating expenses, including depreciation and obsolescence, plus a fair, reasonable, and economic profit or return (or both) on capital employed in the business. Such revenue levels should (a) provide a flow of net income plus depreciation adequate to support prudent capital outlays, assure the repayment of a reasonable level of debt, permit the raising of needed equity capital, and cover the effects of inflation and (b) insure retention and attraction of capital in amounts adequate to provide a sound transportation system in the United States. The Commission shall make an adequate and continuing effort to assist such carriers in attaining such revenue levels. No rate of a common carrier by railroad shall be held up to a particular level to protect the traffic of any other carrier or mode of transportation, unless the Commission finds that such rate reduces or would reduce the going concern value of the carrier charging the rate.".

Notice and hearing. Standards and procedures.

RATE INCENTIVES FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT

SEC. 206. Section 15 of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 15), as amended by section 202 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: "(19) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a common car- Notice, rier by railroad subject to this part may file with the Commission a notice of intention to file a schedule stating a new rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice whenever the implementation of the proposed schedule would require a total capital investment of $1,000,000 or more, individually or collectively, by such carrier, or by a shipper, receiver, or agent thereof, or an interested third party. The filing shall be accompanied by a sworn affidavit setting forth in detail the anticipated capital investment upon which such filing is based. Any Hearing, interested person may request the Commission to investigate the schedule proposed to be filed, and upon such request the Commission shall hold a hearing with respect to such schedule. Such hearing may be Notice, conducted without answer or other formal pleading, but reasonable notice shall be provided to interested parties. Unless, prior to the 180-day period following the filing of such notice of intention, the Commission determines, after a hearing, that the proposed schedule, or any part thereof, would be unlawful, such carrier may file the schedule at any time within 180 days thereafter to become effective after 30