---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 11161"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "11161"
heading: "Implementation of cost accounting principles"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/11161"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part A — Rail"
  - "Chapter 111 — Operations"
  - "Subchapter IV — Railroad Cost Accounting"
---

# §11161. Implementation of cost accounting principles


The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall periodically review its cost accounting rules and shall make such changes in those rules as are required to achieve the regulatory purposes of this part. The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall insure that the rules promulgated under this section are the most efficient and least burdensome means by which the required information may be developed for regulatory purposes. To the maximum extent practicable, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall conform such rules to generally accepted accounting principles.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 102(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 835.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11163 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

A prior section 11161, added Pub. L. 96–448, title III, § 302(a), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1934, related to Railroad Accounting Principles Board, prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.