Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 1.djvu/843

 PUBLIC LAW 96-296—JULY 1, 1980

94 STAT. 793

Public Law 96-296 96th Congress An Act To amend subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, to provide for more effective regulation of motor carriers of property, and for other purposes.

July 1, 1980 [S. 2245]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Motor Carrier United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be Act of 1980. cited as the "Motor Carrier Act of 1980". PURPOSE OF THE ACT

49 USC 10101 note.

SEC. 2. This Act is part of the continuing effort by Congress to 49 USC 10101 note. reduce unnecessary regulation by the Federal Government. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS

SEC. 3. (a) The Congress hereby finds that a safe, sound, competitive, and fuel efficient motor carrier system is vital to the maintenance of a strong national economy and a strong national defense; that the statutes governing Federal r e l a t i o n of the motor carrier industry are outdated and must be revised to reflect the transportation needs and realities of the 1980's; that historically the existing regulatory structure has tended in certain circumstances to inhibit market entry, carrier growth, maximum utilization of equipment and energy resources, and opportunities for minorities and others to enter the trucking industry; that protective r^ulation has resulted in some operating inefficiencies and some anticompetitive pricing; that in order to reduce the uncertainty felt by the Nation's transportation industry, the Interstate Commerce Commission should be given explicit direction for r^ulation of the motor carrier industry and well-defined parameters within which it may act pursuant to congressional policy; that the Interstate Commerce Commission should not attempt to go beyond the powers vested in it by the Interstate Commerce Act and other legislation enacted by Congress; and that legislative and resulting changes should be implemented with the least amount of disruption to the transportation system consistent with the scope of the reforms enacted. (b) The appropriate authorizing committees of Congress shall conduct periodic oversight hearings on the effects of this legislation, no less than annually for the first 5 years following the date of enactment of this Act, to ensure that tms Act is being implemented according to congressional intent and purpose. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION POLICY

SEC. 4. Section 10101(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (5); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (6) and inserting in lieu thereof "; and"; and

49 USC 10101 note.

49 USC prec. 1 note.

Periodic oversight hearings.

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