[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 53 (Thursday, April 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3534. Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and Mr. Thune) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3464 submitted by Mr. 
Thune (for himself and Mr. Nelson) to the bill H.R. 636, to amend the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased expensing 
limitations, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. NATIONAL MULTIMODAL FREIGHT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
     establish a national multimodal freight advisory committee 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Committee'') in the 
     Department of Transportation, which shall consist of a 
     balanced cross-section of public and private freight 
     stakeholders representative of all freight transportation 
     modes, including--
       (1) airports, highways, ports and waterways, rail, and 
     pipelines;
       (2) shippers;
       (3) carriers;
       (4) freight-related associations;
       (5) the freight industry workforce;
       (6) State departments of transportation;
       (7) local governments;
       (8) metropolitan planning organizations;
       (9) regional or local transportation authorities, such as 
     port authorities;
       (10) freight safety organizations; and
       (11) university research centers.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Committee shall be to 
     promote a safe, economically efficient, and environmentally 
     sustainable national freight system.
       (c) Duties.--The Committee, in consultation with State 
     departments of transportation and metropolitan planning 
     organizations, shall provide advice and recommendations to 
     the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to freight 
     transportation in the United States, including--
       (1) the implementation of freight transportation 
     requirements;
       (2) the establishment of a National Multimodal Freight 
     Network under section 70103 of title 49, United States Code;
       (3) the development of the national freight strategic plan 
     under section 70102 of such title;
       (4) the development of measures of conditions and 
     performance in freight transportation;
       (5) the development of freight transportation investment, 
     data, and planning tools; and
       (6) recommendations for Federal legislation.
       (d) Qualifications.--Each member of the Committee shall be 
     sufficiently qualified to represent the interests of the 
     member's specific stakeholder group, such as--
       (1) general business and financial experience;
       (2) experience or qualifications in the areas of freight 
     transportation and logistics;
       (3) experience in transportation planning, safety, 
     technology, or workforce issues;
       (4) experience representing employees of the freight 
     industry;
       (5) experience representing State or local governments or 
     metropolitan planning organizations in transportation-related 
     issues; or
       (6) experience in trade economics relating to freight 
     flows.
       (e) Support Staff, Information, and Services.--The 
     Secretary of Transportation shall provide support staff for 
     the Committee. Upon the request of the Committee, the 
     Secretary shall provide such information, administrative 
     services, and supplies as the Secretary considers necessary 
     for the Committee to carry out its duties under this section.
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