PUBLIC LAW 96-448—OCT. 14, 1980
94 STAT. 1909
similar conditions to the contract at issue, and that shipper was ready, willing, and able to enter into such a contract at a time essentially contemporaneous with the period during which the contract at issue was offered; or "(ii) the proposed contract constitutes a destructive competitive practice under this subtitle. In making a determination under clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the Commission shall consider the difference between contract rates and published single car rates. "(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'unreasonable discrimination* has the same meaning as such term has under section 10741 of this title. "(3)(A) Within 30 days after the date a proceeding is commenced under paragraph (1) of this subsection, or within such shorter time period after such date as the Commission may establish, the Commission shall determine whether the contract that is the subject of such proceeding is in violation of this section. "(B) If the (Dommission determines, on the basis of a complaint filed under paragraph (2)(B)(i) of this subsection, that the grounds for a complaint described in such paragraph have been established with respect to a carrier, the Commission shall, subject to the provisions of this section, order such carrier to provide rates and service substantially similar to the contract at issue with such differentials in terms and conditions as are justified by the evidence. "(e) Approval of a contract filed under this section shall be effective— "(1) on the date the Commission expressly approves such contract, but in no event before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date such contract is filed or after the end of the 60-day period beginning on such date; or "(2) if the Commission has not disapproved such contract by the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date such contract is filed, at the end of such 60-day period. "(f) The Commission may limit the right of a rail carrier to enter into future contracts under this section following a determination that additional contracts would impair the ability of the rail carrier to fulfill its common carrier obligations under section 11101 of this title. "(g) The Commission may not require a rail carrier to violate the terms of a contract that has been approved under this section, except to the extent necessary to comply with section 11128 of this title. "(h) A party to a contract entered into under this section shall have no duty in connection with services provided under such contract other than those duties specified by the terms of the contract. "(i)(1) A contract that is approved by the Commission under this section, and transportation under such contract, shall not be subject to this subtitle, and may not be subsequently challenged before the Commission or in any court on the grounds that such contract violates a provision of this subtitle. "(2) The exclusive remedy for any alleged breach of a contract entered into under this section shall be an action in an appropriate State court or United States district court, unless the parties otherwise agree. "(j) The provisions of this section shall not affect the status of any lawful contract between a rail carrier and one or more purchasers of rail service that is in effect on the effective date of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. Any such contract shall hereafter have the same force and effect as if it had been entered into in accordance with the
"Unreasonable discrimination.' 49 USC 10741.
Rates and service.
Effective dates.
Future contracts.
49 USC 11101.
49 USC 11128.
Ante, p. 1895.
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