Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 87.djvu/1023

 87 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 93-236-JAN. 2, 1974

991

likely to be moved by rail in the future; the extent to which available alternative moaes of tmnsportation could move such traffic as is now carried by railroads in reorganization; the relative economic, social, and environmental costs that would be involved in the use of such available alternative modes, including energy resource costs; and the competitive or other effects on profitable railroads; (3) prepare a study of rail passenger services in the region, in terms of scope and quality; (4) consider the views of the Office and of all government officials and persons who submit views, reports, or testimony under section 205(d)(1) of this title or in the course of proceedings conducted by the Office; (5).consider methods of achieving economies in the cost of rail system operations in the region including consolidation, pooling, and joint use or operation of lines, facilities, and operating equipment; relocation; rehabilitation and modernization of equipment, track, and other facilities; and abandonment of lines consistent with meeting needs and service requirements; together with the anticipated economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of each such method; (6) consider the effect on railroad employees of any restructuring of rail services in the region; (7) make available to the Secretary, the Director of the Office and appropriate committees of the Congress all studies, data, and other information acquired or developed by the Association. (c) INVESTMENT OF FUNDS.—Uncommitted funds of the Association shall be kept in cash on hand or on deposit, or invested in obligations of the United States or guaranteed thereby, or in obligations, participations, or other investments which are lawful investments for fiduciary, trust, or public funds. (d) EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.—The Association, including its franchise, capital reserves, surplus, security holdings, and income shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the United States, any commonwealth, territory, dependency, or possession thereof, or by any State or political subdivision thereof, except that any real property of the Association shall be subject to taxation to the same extent according to its value as other real property is taxed. (e) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Association shall transmit to the Con- gres7°and°pfe°s"~ gress and the President, not later than 90 days after the end of each dent. fiscal year, a comprehensive and detailed report on all activities of the Association during the preceding fiscal year. Each such report shall include (1) the Association's statement of specific and detailed objectives for the activities and programs conducted and assisted under this Act; (2) statements of the Association's conclusions as to the effectiveness of such activities and programs in meeting the stated objectives and the purposes of this Act, measured through the end of the preceding fiscal year; (3) recommendations with respect to any legislation or administrative action which the Association deems necessary or desirable; (4) a statistical compilation of the obligations issued and loans made under this Act; (5) a summary of outstanding problems confronting the Association, in order of priority; (6) all other information required to be submitted to the Congress pursuant to any other provision of this Act; and (7) the Association's projections and f)lans for its activities and programs during the next fiscal year. (f) BUDGET.—The receipts and disbursements of the Association (other than administrative expenses referred to in subsection (g) of

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