Accelerating Reporting Requirements for Class I Railroads, 8171-8172 [2016-03332]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 / Proposed Rules FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [MB Docket No. 16–29, RM–11758; DA 16– 139] Television Broadcasting Services; Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Sidney, Nebraska Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by Gray Television License, LLC, proposed assignee of KDUH–TV, Scottsbluff, Nebraska and New Rushmore Radio, Inc., the licensee of station KDUH–TV, channel 7, Scottsbluff, Nebraska (collectively ‘‘Petitioners’’), requesting an amendment of the DTV Table of Allotments to delete channel 7 at Scottsbluff and substitute channel 7 at Sidney, Nebraska. While the Commission instituted a freeze on the acceptance of full power television rulemaking petitions requesting channel substitutions in May 2011, Petitioners are seeking a waiver asserting that because the proposed change in community of license does not involve any proposed change in technical facilities, grant of the petition would not impact on the Post-Transition Table of DTV Allotments. Petitioners believe that a waiver here would serve the public interest and that community in Sidney would remain well-served after reallotment. SUMMARY: Comments must be filed on or before March 21, 2016, and reply comments on or before April 4, 2016. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. In addition to filing comments with the FCC, interested parties should serve counsel for petitioner as follows: Gray Television Licensee, LLC, c/o Cooley LLP, John R. Feore, Jr. Esq. and Derek Teslik, Esq., 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004; New Rushmore Radio Inc., c/ o Law Office of Jack N. Goodman, Jack N. Goodman, Esq., 1200 New Hampshire Ave. NW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrienne Y. Denysyk, adrienne.denysyk@fcc.gov, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2561. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MB Docket No. 16–29, adopted February 8, 2016, and wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:30 Feb 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 released February 8, 2016. The full text of this document is available for public inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC’s Reference Information Center at Portals II, CY– A257, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. This document will also be available via ECFS (https://www.fcc.gov/ cgb/ecfs/). (Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Word 97, and/ or Adobe Acrobat.). To request this document in accessible formats (computer diskettes, large print, audio recording, and Braille), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY). This document does not contain proposed information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed information collection burden ‘‘for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees,’’ pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). Provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply to this proceeding. Members of the public should note that from the time a Notice of Proposed Rule Making is issued until the matter is no longer subject to Commission consideration or court review, all ex parte contacts (other than ex parte presentations exempt under 47 CFR 1.1204(a)) are prohibited in Commission proceedings, such as this one, which involve channel allotments. See 47 CFR 1.1208 for rules governing restricted proceedings. For information regarding proper filing procedures for comments, see 47 CFR 1.415 and 1.420. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 Television. Federal Communications Commission. Thomas Horan, Chief of Staff, Media Bureau. Proposed Rules For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 73 as follows: PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES 1. The authority citation for Part 73 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336, and 339. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 § 73.622 8171 [Amended] 2. Section 73.622(i), the PostTransition Table of DTV Allotments under Nebraska is amended by removing channel 7 at Scottsbluff. ■ 3. Section 73.622(i), the PostTransition Table of DTV Allotments under Nebraska is amended by adding Sidney. ■ 4. Section 73.622(i), the PostTransition Table of DTV allotments under Nebraska is amended by adding channel 7 at Sidney. ■ [FR Doc. 2016–03345 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD 49 CFR Parts 1241, 1242, 1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, and 1248 [Docket No. EP 701] Accelerating Reporting Requirements for Class I Railroads Surface Transportation Board. Proposed rule, withdrawn. AGENCY: ACTION: The Board is withdrawing the proposed rules and discontinuing the EP 701 rulemaking proceeding which proposed to accelerate the filing deadlines for certain financial, employee, and traffic reports submitted by Class I railroads. DATES: The proposed rule is withdrawn and the rulemaking proceeding is discontinued on February 18, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro Ramirez, (202) 245–0333. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 8, 2015, the Board issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking public comment on a proposal to accelerate the filing deadlines for certain financial, employee, and traffic reports submitted by Class I railroads.1 The Board has authority to collect financial and statistical data from railroads as necessary for the economic oversight of the industry. 49 U.S.C. 1321(b),2 11145. To this end, the Board’s regulations require Class I railroads to submit annual, quarterly, and monthly reports containing financial and operating statistics, including employment and traffic data. SUMMARY: 1 The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2015 (80 FR 39045). 2 The recently enacted Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015, Public Law 114–110, recodifies provisions of title 49, United States Code, redesignating 49 U.S.C. 721, as § 1321. E:\FR\FM\18FEP1.SGM 18FEP1 8172 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 / Proposed Rules wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 49 U.S.C. 11145; 49 CFR 1241–1248. The data collected is used by the Board in various proceedings, as well as by other governmental agencies and interested parties in evaluating the railroad industry. In the NPRM, the Board proposed changing the filing deadlines for a number of these reports. Specifically, the NPRM proposed the following deadlines: Schedule 250 would be filed by March 31 each year, at the same time as the Annual Report Form R–1; Quarterly Report Form RE&I, Form CBS, Quarterly Wage Forms A & B, and Reports of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue would be filed within 15 days after the end of each quarter; Annual Wage Forms A & B and Annual Form QCS would be filed 30 days after the end of each year; Quarterly Form QCS would be filed 30 days after the end of each quarter; Form STB–54 would be filed within 60 days after the end of each year; and Form C would be filed 10 days after the end of each month. The NPRM also proposed to: Update several form titles; clarify the method by which carriers arrive at the number of employees reported on Form C, pursuant to part 1246; replace references to the ‘‘Interstate Commerce Act’’ with ‘‘pt. A of subtitle IV of tit. 49, VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:30 Feb 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 United States Code’’ between 49 CFR parts 1241 and 1248 to accurately describe the current controlling statute; and eliminate the requirement of railroads to file duplicate copies of reports, with the exception of the Annual Report Form R–1, which requires hard copies to be filed. On August 21, 2015, the AAR filed comments on the proposed rules. AAR expresses concern that the proposed accelerated deadlines would impose significant burdens while not conferring a public benefit. (AAR Comment 7.) AAR states that the proposed deadlines for the STB reports would be incompatible with and would create additional reporting obligations for the railroads under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. (Id. at 10–12.) AAR also states that accelerated deadlines could cause investor confusion because the information in Board filings is based on a different corporate entity than information in the SEC filings, and there are also differences in accounting between Board reports and SEC reports. (Id. at 13.) Based on AAR’s comments, the proposed rules could impose a significant burden on the railroads and conflict with SEC reporting requirements. No other comments were PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 submitted. Therefore, we will not adopt the proposed accelerated deadlines and will discontinue this proceeding. However, some of the nonsubstantive updates that the Board proposed will be adopted in Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, EP 712. These updates include changing the following form titles: ‘‘Form MRRE’’ to ‘‘Form C’’ (49 CFR 1246.1) and; ‘‘Form QRSC’’ and ‘‘Form ARSC’’ to ‘‘Quarterly Wage Forms A & B’’ and ‘‘Annual Wage Forms A & B’’ respectively (49 CFR 1245.2). In that proceeding, we will also eliminate the requirement for railroads to file duplicate copies of reports, with the exception of the Annual Report Form R– 1, which requires hard copies to be filed. This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources. Decided: February 11, 2016. By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Miller, and Commissioner Begeman. Brendetta S. Jones, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2016–03332 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P E:\FR\FM\18FEP1.SGM 18FEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8171-8172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03332]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

49 CFR Parts 1241, 1242, 1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, and 1248

[Docket No. EP 701]


Accelerating Reporting Requirements for Class I Railroads

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Proposed rule, withdrawn.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Board is withdrawing the proposed rules and discontinuing 
the EP 701 rulemaking proceeding which proposed to accelerate the 
filing deadlines for certain financial, employee, and traffic reports 
submitted by Class I railroads.

DATES: The proposed rule is withdrawn and the rulemaking proceeding is 
discontinued on February 18, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro Ramirez, (202) 245-0333. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 8, 2015, the Board issued a Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking public comment on a proposal to 
accelerate the filing deadlines for certain financial, employee, and 
traffic reports submitted by Class I railroads.\1\ The Board has 
authority to collect financial and statistical data from railroads as 
necessary for the economic oversight of the industry. 49 U.S.C. 
1321(b),\2\ 11145. To this end, the Board's regulations require Class I 
railroads to submit annual, quarterly, and monthly reports containing 
financial and operating statistics, including employment and traffic 
data.

[[Page 8172]]

49 U.S.C. 11145; 49 CFR 1241-1248. The data collected is used by the 
Board in various proceedings, as well as by other governmental agencies 
and interested parties in evaluating the railroad industry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 
2015 (80 FR 39045).
    \2\ The recently enacted Surface Transportation Board 
Reauthorization Act of 2015, Public Law 114-110, recodifies 
provisions of title 49, United States Code, redesignating 49 U.S.C. 
721, as Sec.  1321.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the NPRM, the Board proposed changing the filing deadlines for a 
number of these reports. Specifically, the NPRM proposed the following 
deadlines: Schedule 250 would be filed by March 31 each year, at the 
same time as the Annual Report Form R-1; Quarterly Report Form RE&I, 
Form CBS, Quarterly Wage Forms A & B, and Reports of Fuel Cost, 
Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue would be filed within 15 days after 
the end of each quarter; Annual Wage Forms A & B and Annual Form QCS 
would be filed 30 days after the end of each year; Quarterly Form QCS 
would be filed 30 days after the end of each quarter; Form STB-54 would 
be filed within 60 days after the end of each year; and Form C would be 
filed 10 days after the end of each month.
    The NPRM also proposed to: Update several form titles; clarify the 
method by which carriers arrive at the number of employees reported on 
Form C, pursuant to part 1246; replace references to the ``Interstate 
Commerce Act'' with ``pt. A of subtitle IV of tit. 49, United States 
Code'' between 49 CFR parts 1241 and 1248 to accurately describe the 
current controlling statute; and eliminate the requirement of railroads 
to file duplicate copies of reports, with the exception of the Annual 
Report Form R-1, which requires hard copies to be filed.
    On August 21, 2015, the AAR filed comments on the proposed rules. 
AAR expresses concern that the proposed accelerated deadlines would 
impose significant burdens while not conferring a public benefit. (AAR 
Comment 7.) AAR states that the proposed deadlines for the STB reports 
would be incompatible with and would create additional reporting 
obligations for the railroads under Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC) regulations. (Id. at 10-12.) AAR also states that accelerated 
deadlines could cause investor confusion because the information in 
Board filings is based on a different corporate entity than information 
in the SEC filings, and there are also differences in accounting 
between Board reports and SEC reports. (Id. at 13.)
    Based on AAR's comments, the proposed rules could impose a 
significant burden on the railroads and conflict with SEC reporting 
requirements. No other comments were submitted. Therefore, we will not 
adopt the proposed accelerated deadlines and will discontinue this 
proceeding.
    However, some of the nonsubstantive updates that the Board proposed 
will be adopted in Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, EP 712. 
These updates include changing the following form titles: ``Form MRRE'' 
to ``Form C'' (49 CFR 1246.1) and; ``Form QRSC'' and ``Form ARSC'' to 
``Quarterly Wage Forms A & B'' and ``Annual Wage Forms A & B'' 
respectively (49 CFR 1245.2). In that proceeding, we will also 
eliminate the requirement for railroads to file duplicate copies of 
reports, with the exception of the Annual Report Form R-1, which 
requires hard copies to be filed.
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Decided: February 11, 2016.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Miller, and 
Commissioner Begeman.
Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2016-03332 Filed 2-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.