[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 2720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00550]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 14)]


Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council 
Vacancies; Solicitation of Nominations

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board (Board).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Board hereby gives notice of vacancies on RSTAC for two 
small railroad representatives. The Board seeks suggestions for 
candidates to fill these vacancies.

DATES: Nominations are due on February 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be submitted via e-filing on the Board's 
website at http://www.stb.gov. Submissions will be posted to the 
Board's website under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 14).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Coral Torres at (202) 245-0286. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

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 Chairman, 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. 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 
Chairman, and at least four of the voting members must be 
representatives of Class II or III railroads. The remaining six members 
to be appointed--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 in 
other locations. During the coronavirus pandemic, RSTAC has been 
holding virtual meetings weekly and now bi-weekly with the Board 
Members and the Federal Railroad Administration Administrator to report 
on the status of rail service and operations.
    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. 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 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. A member 
may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a successor has 
taken office. No member will be eligible to serve in excess of two 
consecutive terms.
    Due to the expiration of two small railroad representatives' second 
terms, the Board is seeking to fill those RSTAC positions. Suggestions 
for candidates to fill the vacancies 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 a 
representation that the candidate is willing to serve as an RSTAC 
member effective immediately upon appointment. RSTAC candidate 
suggestions should be filed with the Board by February 12, 2021. 
Members selected to serve on RSTAC are chosen at the discretion of the 
Board Chairman. Please note that submissions will be posted on the 
Board's website under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 14) 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: January 8, 2021.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Regena Smith-Bernard,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2021-00550 Filed 1-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P