# 47 U.S.C. § 205: Commission authorized to prescribe just and reasonable charges; penalties for violations

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s205

## Section

- **Citation:** 47 U.S.C. § 205
- **Heading:** Commission authorized to prescribe just and reasonable charges; penalties for violations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 9, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 47—TELECOMMUNICATIONS > CHAPTER 5—WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION > SUBCHAPTER II—COMMON CARRIERS > Part I—Common Carrier Regulation

## Text

Whenever, after full opportunity for hearing, upon a complaint or under an order for investigation and hearing made by the Commission on its own initiative, the Commission shall be of opinion that any charge, classification, regulation, or practice of any carrier or carriers is or will be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Commission is authorized and empowered to determine and prescribe what will be the just and reasonable charge or the maximum or minimum, or maximum and minimum, charge or charges to be thereafter observed, and what classification, regulation, or practice is or will be just, fair, and reasonable, to be thereafter followed, and to make an order that the carrier or carriers shall cease and desist from such violation to the extent that the Commission finds that the same does or will exist, and shall not thereafter publish, demand, or collect any charge other than the charge so prescribed, or in excess of the maximum or less than the minimum so prescribed, as the case may be, and shall adopt the classification and shall conform to and observe the regulation or practice so prescribed.

( June 19, 1934, ch. 652 , title II, § 205, 48 Stat. 1072 ; Pub. L. 101–239, title III, § 3002(c) , Dec. 19, 1989 , 103 Stat. 2131 .)

## Nearby sections

- [47 U.S.C. § 201 Service and charges](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s201.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 202 Discriminations and preferences](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s202.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 203 Schedules of charges](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s203.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 204 Hearings on new charges; suspension pending hearing; refunds; duration of hearing; appeal of order concluding hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s204.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 205 Commission authorized to prescribe just and reasonable charges; penalties for violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s205.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 206 Carriers’ liability for damages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s206.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 207 Recovery of damages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s207.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 208 Complaints to Commission; investigations; duration of investigation; appeal of order concluding investigation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s208.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 209 Orders for payment of money](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s209.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 210 Franks and passes; free service to governmental agencies in connection with national defense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s210.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 211 Contracts of carriers; filing with Commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s211.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 212 Interlocking directorates; officials dealing in securities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s212.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 213 Valuation of property of carrier](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s213.md)
- [47 U.S.C. § 214 Extension of lines or discontinuance of service; certificate of public convenience and necessity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s214.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t47_s205. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.