[Permanency of Limitation on ICC Approval of Railroad Branchline Abandonments]

A firm and the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) requested a decision on whether legislation prohibited approval of railroad branchline abandonments, contending that the: (1) legislation specified the effective date for the restriction on ICC use of appropriated funds for such purposes; and (2) continued prohibition could lead to unreasonable applications. GAO held that: (1) since the act lacked a provision to the contrary, it took effect upon enactment; and (2) while application of the act seemed inappropriate under certain circumstances, the continued prohibition itself did not lead to unreasonable results. Accordingly, until amended or repealed, the legislation prohibits ICC from approving railroad branchline abandonments proposed by the protester.