00-777. Petition of the Port of Houston Authority for the Institution of a Rulemaking Proceeding; Notice of Filing of Petition

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2177-2178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-777]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Petition No. P1-00]


Petition of the Port of Houston Authority for the Institution of 
a Rulemaking Proceeding; Notice of Filing of Petition

    Notice is given that a petition for rulemaking has been filed by 
the Port of

[[Page 2178]]

Houston Authority (``Petitioner''). Petitioner requests the Federal 
Maritime Commission to institute a rulemaking proceeding for the 
purpose of promulgating a rule addressing the lawfulness of unilateral 
provisions which provide for the collection of attorney's fees in 
contracts or tariffs of marine terminal operators under the provisions 
of the Shipping Act of 1984 as amended. Specifically, Petitioner seeks 
a rule which confirms that it is not illegal under the Shipping Act for 
marine terminal operators to contract with their customers, by tariff 
or otherwise, to permit the collection of attorneys fees and litigation 
cost in the event the marine terminal operator is required to sue in 
court to collect fees for services that have been rendered. Petitioner 
has proposed a provision that it submits should be made the subject of 
a Commission rulemaking proceeding.
    Interested persons are requested to reply to the petition no later 
than February 7, 2000. Replies shall be directed to the Secretary, 
Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573-0001, shall consist 
of an original and 15 copies, and shall be served on counsel for 
petitioner, Amy Loeserman Klein, Esq., 7301 Burdette Court, Bethesda, 
Maryland 20817. In addition to the official paper filing, a party may 
also provide the Commission with a copy of its filing by diskette or by 
e-mail at [e-mail].
    Copies of the petition are available for examination at the Office 
of the Secretary of the Commission, 800 N. Capitol Street, NW, Room 
1046, Washington, DC.
Bryant L. VanBrakle,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-777 Filed 1-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-M