[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 79070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26935]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. EP 730 (Sub-No.1)]


Roster of Arbitrators--Annual Update

    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 11708, the Board's regulations establish a 
voluntary and binding arbitration process to resolve rail rate and 
practice complaints that are subject to the Board's jurisdiction. 
Section 11708(f) provides that, unless parties otherwise agree, an 
arbitrator or panel of arbitrators shall be selected from a roster 
maintained by the Board. Accordingly, the Board's rules establish a 
process for creating and maintaining a roster of arbitrators. 49 CFR 
1108.6(b).
    The Board most recently updated its roster of arbitrators by 
decision served February 13, 2020. The roster is published on the 
Board's website at https://www.stb.gov/ (click the ``Resources'' tab, 
select ``Litigation Alternatives'' from the dropdown menu, and then 
click on the ``arbitration'' link).
    As provided under 49 CFR 1108.6(b), the Board updates the roster of 
arbitrators annually. Accordingly, the Board is now requesting the 
names and qualifications of new arbitrators who wish to be placed on 
the roster. Current arbitrators who wish to remain on the roster must 
notify the Board of their continued availability and confirm that the 
biographical information on file with the Board remains accurate and, 
if not, provide any necessary updates. Arbitrators who do not confirm 
their continued availability will be removed from the roster. This 
decision will be served on all current arbitrators.
    Any person who wishes to be added to the roster should file an 
application describing his or her experience with rail transportation 
and economic regulation, as well as professional or business 
experience, including agriculture, in the private sector. Each 
applicant should also describe his or her training in dispute 
resolution and/or experience in arbitration or other forms of dispute 
resolution, including the number of years of experience. Lastly, the 
applicant should provide his or her contact information and fees.
    This year, all comments--including filings from new applicants, 
updates to existing arbitrator information, and confirmations of 
continued availability--should be submitted via e-filing on the Board's 
website by January 15, 2021.\1\ The Board will assess each new 
applicant's qualifications to determine which individuals can ably 
serve as arbitrators based on the criteria established under 49 CFR 
1108.6(b). The Board will then establish an updated roster of 
arbitrators by no-objection vote. The roster will include a brief 
biographical sketch of each arbitrator, including information such as 
background, area(s) of expertise, arbitration experience, and 
geographical location, as well as contact information and fees. The 
roster will be published on the Board's website.
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    \1\ Persons who have informally indicated an interest in being 
included on the arbitrator roster (e.g., correspondence to Board 
members) should submit a comment pursuant to this decision.
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    It is ordered:
    1. Applications from persons interested in being added to the 
Board's roster of arbitrators, and confirmations of continued 
availability (with updates, if any, to existing arbitrator information) 
from persons currently on the arbitration roster, are due by January 
15, 2021.
    2. This decision will be served on all current arbitrators and 
published in the Federal Register.
    3. This decision is effective on the date of service.

    Decided: December 2, 2020.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Tammy Lowery,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-26935 Filed 12-7-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P