[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84665-84666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24576]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 22)]
Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council
Vacancy
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board (Board).
ACTION: Notice of vacancy on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation
Advisory Council (RSTAC) and solicitation of nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Board hereby gives notice of a vacancy on RSTAC for a
small shipper representative. The Board seeks nominations for
candidates to fill this vacancy.
DATES: Nominations are due on November 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted via e-filing on the Board's
website at www.stb.gov. Submissions will be posted to the Board's
website under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 22).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Dalton at (771) 201-1070. If you
require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act,
please call (202) 245-0245.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, created in 1996 to take over many
of the functions previously performed by the Interstate Commerce
Commission, exercises broad authority over transportation by rail
carriers, including regulation of railroad rates and service (49 U.S.C.
10701-47, 11101-24), the construction, acquisition, operation, and
abandonment of rail lines (49 U.S.C. 10901-07), as well as railroad
line sales, consolidations, mergers, and common control arrangements
(49 U.S.C. 10902, 11323-27).
The ICC Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA), enacted on December 29,
1995, established RSTAC to advise the Board's Chair; the Secretary of
Transportation; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives with respect to rail transportation
policy issues RSTAC considers significant. RSTAC focuses on issues of
importance to small shippers and small railroads, including car supply,
rates, competition, and procedures for addressing claims. ICCTA
instructs RSTAC to endeavor to develop private sector mechanisms to
prevent, or identify and address, obstacles to the most effective and
efficient transportation system practicable. The members of RSTAC also
prepare an annual report concerning RSTAC's activities. RSTAC is not
subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
RSTAC's 15 appointed members consist of representatives of small
and large shippers, and small and large railroads. These members are
appointed by the Board's Chair. In addition, members of the Board and
the Secretary of Transportation serve as ex officio members. Of the 15
appointed members, nine are voting members and are appointed from
senior executive officers of organizations engaged in the railroad and
rail shipping industries. At least four of the voting members must be
representatives of small shippers as determined by the Board's Chair,
and at least four of the voting members must be representatives of
Class II or III railroads. The remaining voting member has
traditionally been an at-large representative. The other six members--
three representing Class I railroads and three representing large
shipper organizations--serve in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, but may
participate in RSTAC deliberations.
Meetings of RSTAC are required by statute to be held at least semi-
annually. RSTAC typically holds meetings quarterly at the Board's
headquarters in Washington, DC, although some meetings are held
virtually or in other locations.
The members of RSTAC receive no compensation for their services and
are required to provide for the expenses incidental to their service,
including travel expenses. Currently, RSTAC members have elected to
submit annual dues to pay for RSTAC expenses.
RSTAC members must be citizens of the United States and represent
as broadly as practicable the various segments of the railroad and rail
shipper industries. They may not be full-time employees of the United
States Government. According to revised guidance issued by the Office
of Management and Budget, it is permissible for federally registered
lobbyists to serve on advisory committees, such as RSTAC, as long as
they do so in a representative capacity, rather than an individual
capacity. See
[[Page 84666]]
Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Fed. Advisory Comms.,
Bds., & Comm'ns, 79 FR 47,482 (Aug. 13, 2014). Members of RSTAC are
appointed to serve in a representative capacity.
Each RSTAC member is appointed for a term of three years. No member
will be eligible to serve in excess of two consecutive terms. However,
a member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a
successor has taken office.
Due to the expiration of an RSTAC member's term, a vacancy exists
for a small shipper representative. Nominations for candidates to fill
the vacancy should be submitted in letter form, identifying the name of
the candidate, providing a summary of why the candidate is qualified to
serve on RSTAC, and containing representations that the candidate is
willing to serve as an RSTAC member effective immediately upon
appointment. Candidates may nominate themselves. The Board's Chair is
committed to having a committee reflecting diverse communities and
viewpoints and strongly encourages the nomination of candidates from
diverse backgrounds. RSTAC candidate nominations should be filed with
the Board by November 18, 2024. Members selected to serve on RSTAC are
chosen at the discretion of the Board's Chair.
Please note that submissions will be posted on the Board's website
under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 22) and can also be obtained by
contacting the Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and
Compliance at [email protected] or (202) 245-0238.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1325.
Decided: October 18, 2024.
By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2024-24576 Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P