[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45267-45268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14967]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 18)]


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 an at-
large (public interest) representative. The Board seeks nominations for 
candidates to fill this vacancy.

DATES: Nominations are due on August 14, 2023.

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. 18).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Meyer at (202) 245-0150. 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.

[[Page 45268]]

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 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 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 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 an at-large (public interest) 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 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 August 14, 2023. Members 
selected to serve on RSTAC are chosen at the discretion of the Board 
Chair. Please note that submissions will be posted on the Board's 
website under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 18) 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: July 10, 2023.


    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-14967 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P