United States · Law · HR
H.R. 2539 (104th)
ICC Termination Act of 1995
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
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
26 January 1995
Committee
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Railroads Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Source: Committee
22 February 1995
Committee
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Railroads Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Source: Committee
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
26 October 1995
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.
Source: IntroReferral
26 October 1995
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
26 October 1995
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
30 October 1995
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
Source: Committee
31 October 1995
Committee
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
31 October 1995
Committee
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Source: Committee
1 November 1995
Vote
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 22.
Source: Committee
1 November 1995
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
6 November 1995
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 163.
Source: Calendars
6 November 1995
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 104-311. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Source: Committee
6 November 1995
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 104-311. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Source: Committee
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
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
14 November 1995
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Source: Floor
14 November 1995
Passed
Rule H. Res. 259 passed House.
Source: Floor
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
14 November 1995
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
14 November 1995
Vote
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 417 - 8 (Roll no. 793).
Source: Floor
14 November 1995
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 417 - 8 (Roll no. 793).
Source: Floor
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
14 November 1995
Floor
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jack Kingston to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Source: Floor
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
14 November 1995
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 259. (consideration: CR H12253-12311)
Source: Floor
15 November 1995
Introduced
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
28 November 1995
Floor
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S17602)
Source: Floor
28 November 1995
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1396 with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Source: Floor
28 November 1995
Discharge
Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Discharge
28 November 1995
Committee
Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Committee
30 November 1995
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
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
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
30 November 1995
ResolvingDifferences
Mr. Shuster asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
30 November 1995
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
4 December 1995
Floor
Message on House action received in Senate and at the desk: House requests a conference.
Source: Floor
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
8 December 1995
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
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
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
13 December 1995
ResolvingDifferences
Conference held.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
13 December 1995
ResolvingDifferences
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 December 1995
Passed
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 December 1995
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report H. Rept. 104-422 filed. (text of conference report: CR H14993-15056)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 December 1995
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 104-422 filed.(text of conference report: CR H14993-15056)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 December 1995
Passed
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
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
20 December 1995
Passed
Rule H. Res. 312 passed House.
Source: Floor
21 December 1995
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
21 December 1995
Passed
Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S19074-19076)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
21 December 1995
Passed
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S19074-19076)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
22 December 1995
Floor
Pursuant to the provisions of S. Con. Res. 37, enrollment corrections have been made.
Source: Floor
22 December 1995
Passed
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H15604)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
22 December 1995
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
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
22 December 1995
Passed
Mr. Shuster brought up conference report H. Rept. 104-422 by previously agreed to special order.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
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
22 December 1995
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H15600-15601)
Source: IntroReferral
23 December 1995
Floor
Presented to President.
Source: Floor
23 December 1995
President
Presented to President.
Source: President
29 December 1995
Became law
Became Public Law No: 104-88.
Source: President
29 December 1995
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
29 December 1995
President
Signed by President.
Source: President
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Enrolled Bill · — · Download file
- Public Law · 30 December 1995 · Download file
- Engrossed Amendment Senate · 28 November 1995 · Download file
- Referred in Senate · 15 November 1995 · Download file
- Engrossed in House · 14 November 1995 · Download file
- Reported in House · 6 November 1995 · Download file
- Introduced in House · 26 October 1995 · Download file
Documents
16 official files
Enrolled Bill (text)
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Enrolled Bill (text)
Enrolled Bill · EN
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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Sponsors
- Rep. Shuster, Bud [R-PA-9] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Molinari, Susan [R-NY-13] · R · Sponsor
- · sscm00 · Standing
- · hspw00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → Intrastate Tow Truck Transportation Technical Correction Act of 1995
- related to → Interstate Commerce Commission Sunset Act of 1995
- related to → Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2539) to abolish the Interstate Commerce Commission, to amend subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, to reform economic regulation of transportation, and for other purposes.
- related to → Waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2539) to abolish the Interstate Commerce Commission, to amend subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, to reform economic regulation of transportation, and for other purposes.
- related to ← A concurrent resolution directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make technical changes in the enrollment of the bill (H.R. 2539) entitled "An Act to abolish the Interstate Commerce Commission, to amend subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, to reform economic regulation of transportation, and for other purposes.
- related to ← Interstate Commerce Commission Sunset Act of 1995
- amends ← An amendment to exempt small movers of household goods from intrastate economic regulation. The amendment would exempt vehicles weighing less than 13 tons from such regulations.
- amends ← An amendment directing the implementation by regulation of administrative complaint remedies with regard to contracts for transportation of agricultural commodities.
- amends ← An amendment made in order pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 259 and offered en bloc to make several technical and clarifying changes to the bill. The amendment would clarify that nothing in the bill is intended to affect the Railway Labor Act or the Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Act, retain existing requirements of the "Long Cannon factors" regarding reasonable rail rates, striking provisions that would allow the enlargement of the scope of a rail abandonment in order to improve line viability, permit a person to purchase a line proposed for abandonment up to four months after the filing date, retain the "Feeder Line Development Program," retain the current 20-day advance notice requirement for rail rate changes, names the Attorney General as the commentator in certain types of rail mergers, and other purposes.
- amends ← An amendment to retain certain labor protections for employees of small and mid-sized railroads during mergers and acquisitions.
- amends ← An amendment not preprinted in the Congressional Record to establish standards for annual level for the purposes of meeting minimum eligibility requirements for an immediate annuity.
Related across the Repo ecosystem
Direct relationships are identifier-backed. Topic context means shared TopicMembership — not a citation and not causation.
Direct relationships
- Legal framework · ICC Termination Act of 1995 · H.R. 2539 (104th) · US
- Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM
Same us record 104-hr-2539 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2539
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/104/hr/2539
- us · 104-hr-2539 · source updated 7 April 2025