STAFFING

SENATOR ANDREWS: The Budget Justification states that the bulk of the workload reduction in fiscal year 1986 will occur in motor carrier regulatory functions. Yet, the rail area is cut slightly more than the motor carrier area. The "motor" dollars are reduced by 2.5 percent while the "rail" dollars are cut by 2.7 percent. Why?

ANSWER: Although funding requested for the rail and motor programs decreases by approximately the same percentage between FY 1985 and FY 1986, funding requested for the motor program has been reduced by approximately 16 percent compared to the actual expenses in FY 1984, while funding for the rail program remains relatively level over the FY 1984 to FY 1986 period. The most substantial reduction in motor program workload is expected to occur between FY 1984 and FY 1985 with a smaller reduction occurring in FY 1986.

The reduction in staff-year and funding levels for both motor and rail programs is consistent with the decline in workload.

SENATOR ANDREWS: In the budget justification (pg. 3) a reduction of 61 staff years is proposed. That assumes a fiscal year 1985 staffing level of 984. However, your revised fiscal

year 1985 supplemental request is for only 949 staff years. In view of your revised fiscal year 1985 staffing figure, are you sticking with the 923 figure for fiscal year 1986, or could you revise that figure downwards as well?

ANSWER: The budget justification for fiscal year 1985 requests a total full-time equivalent employment staffing level of 984. Of the 984 total staff-years, 949 are to be dedicated to full-time permanent positions and 35 to other than full-time permanent positions, which include part-time, temporary, expert, and intermittent employees.

The 949 staff-years in the table you cited from the supplemental budget request do not include other than full-time permanent positions. This is explained by the note at the bottom of the table on page 3. The 923 total staff-year level requested for FY 1986 is the level necessary to accomplish the projected 1986 workload. Since our workload projections have not changed, we still believe the 923 staff-year level is appropriate for FY 1986.

SENATOR ANDREWS: If the status quo is maintained for trucking and rail deregulation law, do you think your staffing level should also remain at roughly current levels or do you think more reductions can be made in future years as these acts become fully implemented?

ANSWER: Without further trucking deregulation, the Commission's staffing level should remain close to current levels. The various regulatory reform acts have now been fully implemented. Therefore, without either further legislative change or a significant change in workload, the staff requirement will remain relatively constant. As you know, we are currently reviewing our organization to determine whether major changes should be made and further economies achieved. These considerations may dictate changes in staffing levels.

SENATOR ANDREWS:

Please provide for the record a copy of your current organization chart. Include number of staff assigned

to each office.

ANSWER: As of March 30, 1985, the total number of permanent and other than full-time permanent staff assigned to each office is as follows:

TRAVEL

SENATOR ANDREWS: Please also provide for the record a listing of any official overseas travel that was conducted in fiscal years 1984 and 1985 to date, including where, why, how many employees went on each trip, and how much was spent.

ANSWER: The Commission has not had any employees engage in overseas travel in fiscal years 1984 and 1985 to date.

SENATOR ANDREWS: How are travel costs allocated?

ANSWER: Estimates of travel costs are reflective of actual expenses associated with staff and workload. During the development of the budget, each office estimates its travel costs based on past experience and anticipated workload. These estimates are then reviewed by the Managing Director, who recommends a level to the Commission, which votes on the

allocation as part of the internal budget process. These figures are incorporated into the budget request.

SENATOR ANDREWS: How much travel is allowed individual Commissioners?

ANSWER: The $45,000 requested for travel for all Commissioners for FY 1986 includes $5,500 for each of four Commissioners and $1,500 for each of the two Commissioners who would serve only one quarter of the year prior to expiration of their terms on December 31, 1985. The balance of $20,000 is requested for use by the Chairman and the satellite offices.

COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR OFFICES

SENATOR ANDREWS: On page 4 of your budget justification, you show a 10 staff-year reduction from 67 to 57 for the Commissioners and their Offices. Explain the reasons for this reduction.

ANSWER: The reduction to 57 in Commissioners' staffing for FY 1986 reflects the fact that the number of Commissioners will be reduced from seven to five beginning January 1986. The twelve individuals expected to be on board in these two offices will consume only three staff-years during the first quarter of FY 1986, resulting in a net reduction of 9 staff-years. A reduction of one additional staff-year will be achieved in the satellite offices, bringing the total reduction to 10 staff-years.

SENATOR ANDREWS: Last year, the Conference Report suggested the possibility of consolidating several of the small satellite offices that report to the Chairman. The Grace Commission also recommended consolidating these offices. What actions have you taken in this regard over the last year, and what savings have been made?

ANSWER: The Commission has consolidated the Office of Legislative Counsel and the Office of Governmental Affairs in the Office of Legislation and Governmental Affairs. This has resulted in a reduction from the 13 staff-years used in FY 1984 to a projected total staff-year usage of under 10 for FY 1985. Consideration of other potential consolidations will be

accomplished within the context of an organization study currently being carried out by the Managing Director.

SENATOR ANDREWS: Is it possible to consolidate the Small Business Assistance Office and the Special Counsel's Office? What became of that idea? If no, why not?

ANSWER: The Commission will consider the possibility of combining these Offices within the context of the Managing Director's study of the agency's organizational structure.

SENATOR ANDREWS: You are requesting $45,000 for travel. That represents an allotment of $5,500 per Commissioner. Provide for the record a breakdown of actual travel expenditures for each Commissioner in fiscal year 1984, and what is allocated for fiscal year 1985.

1/ The amounts requested for travel in FY 1985 reflect a decision made by the Commission to cut their travel allocations by 25 percent from the amounts originally included in the President's Budget. However, the Commissioners have been very conservative about their travel, and the additional savings they are creating by deferring their travel will be used to reduce the overall funding shortfall, if the full supplemental request is not approved.

2/ Commissioners Simmons, Lamboley, and Strenio were appointed in September 1984 and incurred no travel expenses.