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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 2539 (104th)

ICC Termination Act of 1995

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

26 October 1995

Last action

29 December 1995 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-88.

Sponsors

Rep. Shuster, Bud [R-PA-9], Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6], Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3], Rep. Molinari, Susan [R-NY-13]

Subjects

Transport, Taxation

Source updated

7 April 2025

Transport · Taxation

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission Title II: Transportation Adjudication Panel Title III: Conforming Amendments Subtitle A: Amendments to United States Code Subtitle B: Other Amendments ICC Termination Act of 1995 - Title I: Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission - Abolishes the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). (Sec. 102) Amends Federal transportation law to declare that remedies provided under this Act are exclusive and preempt any Federal or State remedies. Revises provisions to transfer jurisdiction over rail carrier transportation from the ICC to the Transportation Adjudication Panel established by this Act. Requires the Panel to exempt a person, class of persons, or a transaction or service from its jurisdiction whenever: (1) application of this Act is not necessary to carry out U.S. rail transportation policy; and (2) either the transaction or service is of limited scope, or jurisdiction is not needed to protect shippers from the abuse of market power. Requires rail carriers subject to the jurisdiction of the Panel to establish rates, classifications, through routes, rules and practices for rail transportation that are reasonable and that do not unreasonably discriminate against a participating carrier. Authorizes the Panel to prescribe maximum rates, classifications, rules, practices, through routes, joint classifications, joint rates, and division of joint rates when it decides that: (1) the ones proposed by a rail carrier violate this Act; or (2) it is in the public interest. Revises rail carrier provisions to provide for: (1) Panel approval of rail carrier rate agreements; (2) Panel market dominance determinations in rail rate proceedings; (3) rail carrier service contracts; (4) reduced rail rates for Government transportation and during emergencies; (5) prohibitions against unreasonable discrimination by rail carriers; (6) rail carrier licensing for the construction and operation of railroad lines; (7) rail carrier procedures for the abandonment or discontinuance of railroad lines or railroad transportation; (8) requirements regarding the provision of rail carrier service and the use of terminal facilities; (9) a uniform accounting system, including depreciation charges; (10) records inspections; (11) special reports by rail carriers; (12) railroad cost accounting; (13) filing of equipment trusts and security interests with the Panel; (14) Panel approval over certain rail carrier transactions, including consolidations, mergers, and acquisitions; and (15) Panel enforcement, including civil and criminal penalties for violations committed under this Act by rail carriers. Declares that in order to ensure the development, coordination, and preservation of a transportation system that meets the transportation needs of the United States, it is U.S. policy to provide for the impartial regulation of motor carrier transportation and the transportation of passengers by motor carrier. Revises, for purposes of this Act, the term "carrier" to mean a motor carrier, a water carrier, a freight forwarder, and a foreign motor carrier and a foreign motor private carrier. Grants the Secretary of Transportation (currently, the ICC) and the Panel jurisdiction over motor carriers and freight forwarders, with specified exceptions, and the Secretary alone jurisdiction over water carriers. Sets forth administrative provisions with respect to: (1) certain requirements for rates, rules, classifications, through routes, and practices with respect to the transportation of household goods or passengers by motor carrier or transportation by water carrier; (2) procedures for resolving claims by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier) or freight forwarder with respect to unfiled, negotiated transportation rates; (3) Government traffic and food and grocery transportation; (4) certain registration requirements for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and motor carrier brokers; (5) restrictions on acts, policies, or practices of a foreign country that are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. transportation companies providing motor carrier transportation; (6) replacement of certain registration and financial responsibility information programs; (7) general operation requirements with respect to motor carriers; (8) inspection of records of carriers and brokers (excluding lessors); (9) security interests in motor carrier vehicles; (10) pooling or division of transportation services or earnings by motor carriers; (11) Federal jurisdiction (to the exclusion of any State or local jurisdiction) over interstate and intrastate transportation of passengers by motor carrier and transportation by freight forwarders and brokers; (12) prohibition of State and local income taxation of motor carrier employees except the State and locality of the employee's residence; (13) single State registration of motor carriers; (14) enforcement, investigations, rights, and remedies; (15) civil and criminal penalties; and (16) motor carrier insurance requirements. Title II: Transportation Adjudication Panel - Establishes the Panel within the Department of Transportation. Transfers jurisdiction currently held by the ICC to the Panel. Directs the Panel to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Conforming Amendments - Amends and repeals specified Federal laws to conform them to this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 26 January 1995

    Committee

    Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Railroads Prior to Introduction and Referral.

    Source: Committee

  2. 22 February 1995

    Committee

    Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Railroads Prior to Introduction and Referral.

    Source: Committee

  3. 3 March 1995

    Committee

    Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation Prior to Introduction and Referral (Hearings Printed: H. Hrg. 104-19).

    Source: Committee

  4. 26 October 1995

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 26 October 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  6. 26 October 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  7. 30 October 1995

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.

    Source: Committee

  8. 31 October 1995

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 31 October 1995

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  10. 1 November 1995

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 22.

    Source: Committee

  11. 1 November 1995

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  12. 6 November 1995

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 163.

    Source: Calendars

  13. 6 November 1995

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 104-311. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.

    Source: Committee

  14. 6 November 1995

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 104-311. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.

    Source: Committee

  15. 9 November 1995

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 259 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2539 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2539 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation now printed in the bill as an original bill. Before consideration of any other amendment, it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider the amendment caused by the Chairman of the Transportation Committee to be printed in the Congressional Record, debatable for 10 minutes and not subject to further amendment. If that amendment i...

    Source: Floor

  16. 14 November 1995

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

  17. 14 November 1995

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  18. 14 November 1995

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 259 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  19. 14 November 1995

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2539.

    Source: Floor

  20. 14 November 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  21. 14 November 1995

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 417 - 8 (Roll no. 793).

    Source: Floor

  22. 14 November 1995

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 417 - 8 (Roll no. 793).

    Source: Floor

  23. 14 November 1995

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2539 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2539 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation now printed in the bill as an original bill. Before consideration of any other amendment, it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider the amendment caused by the Chairman of the Transportation Committee to be printed in the Congressional Record, debatable for 10 minutes and not subject to further amendment. If that amendment i...

    Source: Floor

  24. 14 November 1995

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Jack Kingston to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  25. 14 November 1995

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 259 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  26. 14 November 1995

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 259. (consideration: CR H12253-12311)

    Source: Floor

  27. 15 November 1995

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  28. 28 November 1995

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S17602)

    Source: Floor

  29. 28 November 1995

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1396 with an amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

  30. 28 November 1995

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

  31. 28 November 1995

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

  32. 30 November 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  33. 30 November 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration of the House bill, and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Shuster, Clinger, Petri, Coble, Molinari, Oberstar, Rahall, and Lipinski.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  34. 30 November 1995

    Passed

    On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H13841)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  35. 30 November 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Shuster asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  36. 30 November 1995

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  37. 4 December 1995

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at the desk: House requests a conference.

    Source: Floor

  38. 7 December 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    Senate insists on its amendment agrees to request for a conference, appoints conferees Pressler; Stevens; Burns; Lott; Hutchison; Ashcroft; Hollings; Inouye; Exon; Rockefeller; Breaux. (consideration: CR S18249)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  39. 8 December 1995

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  40. 12 December 1995

    Floor

    The House received a communication from the Honorable William O. Lipinski. Mr. Lipinski notified the Speaker of his resignation as a conferee on the bill H.R. 2539. Without objection, the resignation was accepted.

    Source: Floor

  41. 12 December 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    The Speaker appointed an additional conferee for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment and modifications committed to conference, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Lipinski: Wise.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  42. 13 December 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference held.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  43. 13 December 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference committee actions: Conference held.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  44. 18 December 1995

    Passed

    Conferees agreed to file conference report.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  45. 18 December 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report H. Rept. 104-422 filed. (text of conference report: CR H14993-15056)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  46. 18 December 1995

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 104-422 filed.(text of conference report: CR H14993-15056)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  47. 18 December 1995

    Passed

    Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  48. 19 December 1995

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 312 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 2539. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration shall be waived.

    Source: Floor

  49. 20 December 1995

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 312 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  50. 21 December 1995

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  51. 21 December 1995

    Passed

    Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S19074-19076)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  52. 21 December 1995

    Passed

    Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S19074-19076)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  53. 22 December 1995

    Floor

    Pursuant to the provisions of S. Con. Res. 37, enrollment corrections have been made.

    Source: Floor

  54. 22 December 1995

    Passed

    On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H15604)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  55. 22 December 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  56. 22 December 1995

    Passed

    Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H15604)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  57. 22 December 1995

    Passed

    Mr. Shuster brought up conference report H. Rept. 104-422 by previously agreed to special order.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  58. 22 December 1995

    Passed

    CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION - Mr. Shuster asked unanimous consent to call up the conference report on the bill, and that an associated Senate Concurrent Resolution (S. Con. Res. 37) be considered as having been agreed to. Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  59. 22 December 1995

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H15600-15601)

    Source: IntroReferral

  60. 23 December 1995

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  61. 23 December 1995

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  62. 29 December 1995

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-88.

    Source: President

  63. 29 December 1995

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  64. 29 December 1995

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

16 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 30 December 1995

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 30 December 1995

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  • Conference report filed in House

    summary · EN · 18 December 1995

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 28 November 1995

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 28 November 1995

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 15 November 1995

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 15 November 1995

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 14 November 1995

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 14 November 1995

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 6 November 1995

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 6 November 1995

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 26 October 1995

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 26 October 1995

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 26 October 1995

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