USC Subchapter III

in effect

49 U.S.C. § 11141 Definitions

In this subchapter— (1) the terms “rail carrier” and “lessor” include a receiver or trustee of a rail carrier and lessor, respectively; (2) the term “lessor” means a person owning a railroad that is leased to and operated by a carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part; and (3) the term “association” means an organization maintained by or in the interest of a group of rail carriers providing transportation or service subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part that performs a service, or engages in activities, related to transportation under this part.

49 U.S.C. § 11142 Uniform accounting system

The Board may prescribe a uniform accounting system for classes of rail carriers providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part. To the maximum extent practicable, the Board shall conform such system to generally accepted accounting principles, and shall administer this subchapter in accordance with such principles.

49 U.S.C. § 11143 Depreciation charges

The Board shall, for a class of rail carriers providing transportation subject to its jurisdiction under this part, prescribe, and change when necessary, those classes of property for which depreciation charges may be included under operating expenses and a rate of depreciation that may be charged to a class of property. The Board may classify those rail carriers for purposes of this section. A rail carrier for whom depreciation charges and rates of depreciation are in effect under this section for any class of property may not— (1) charge to operating expenses a depreciation charge on a class of property other than that prescribed by the Board; (2) charge another rate of depreciation; or (3) include other depreciation charges in operating expenses.

49 U.S.C. § 11144 Records: form; inspection; preservation

(a) The Board may prescribe the form of records required to be prepared or compiled under this subchapter—(1) by rail carriers and lessors, including records related to movement of traffic and receipts and expenditures of money; and (2) by persons furnishing cars to or for a rail carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part to the extent related to those cars or that service. (b) The Board, or an employee designated by the Board, may on demand and display of proper credentials—(1) inspect and examine the lands, buildings, and equipment of a rail carrier or lessor; and (2) inspect and copy any record of—(A) a rail carrier, lessor, or association; (B) a person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a rail carrier if the Board considers inspection relevant to that person’s relation to, or transaction with, that rail carrier; and (C) a person furnishing cars to or for a rail carrier if the Board prescribed the form of that record. (c) The Board may prescribe the time period during which operating, accounting, and financial records must be preserved by rail carriers, lessors, and persons furnishing cars.

49 U.S.C. § 11145 Reports by rail carriers, lessors, and associations

(a) The Board may require—(1) rail carriers, lessors, and associations, or classes of them as the Board may prescribe, to file annual, periodic, and special reports with the Board containing answers to questions asked by it; and (2) a person furnishing cars to a rail carrier to file reports with the Board containing answers to questions about those cars. (b)(1) An annual report shall contain an account, in as much detail as the Board may require, of the affairs of the rail carrier, lessor, or association for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of each year. (2) An annual report shall be filed with the Board by the end of the third month after the end of the year for which the report is made unless the Board extends the filing date or changes the period covered by the report. The annual report and, if the Board requires, any other report made under this section, shall be made under oath.