[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 497-498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28989]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. EP 774 (Sub-No. 1)]


Notice of Passenger Rail Advisory Committee Vacancies

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of vacancies on federal advisory committee and 
solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice 
of vacancies on its newly formed Passenger Railroad Advisory Committee 
(PRAC). The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for 
candidates to fill these vacancies.

DATES: Nominations for candidates for membership on the PRAC are due by 
February 5, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing 
format or in paper format. Any person using e-filing should attach a 
document and otherwise comply with the instructions at the E-FILING 
link on the Board's website, at http://www.stb.gov. Any person 
submitting a filing in paper format should send the original and 10 
copies to: Surface Transportation Board, Attn: Docket No. EP 774 (Sub-
No. 1), 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian O'Boyle at 202-245-0364. If you 
require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
please call (202) 245-0245.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By notice served on November 13, 2023, and 
published in the Federal Register on Nov. 13, 2023 (88 FR 77655), the 
Board announced the formation of the PRAC as a federal advisory 
committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Board on issues 
relating to passenger rail service. See Establishment of the Passenger 
Rail Advisory Comm., EP 774 (STB served Nov. 13, 2023). Matters on 
which the PRAC will advise the Board include improving efficiency on 
passenger rail routes; reducing disputes between passenger rail 
carriers and freight rail hosts regarding the use of freight rail 
carrier-owned facilities and infrastructure for passenger service, 
including passenger on-time performance issues; and improving 
regulatory processes related to intercity passenger rail to the benefit 
of the public, the communities served by passenger rail, and the 
environment. The PRAC operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. chapter 10).
    The PRAC will consists of 18 voting members who comprise a balanced 
representation of individuals knowledgeable regarding passenger rail 
transportation, freight rail transportation, commuter rail operations, 
and transportation public policy. Members are selected by the Chair of 
the Board with the concurrence of a majority of the Board. The Chair of 
the Board may invite representatives from the U.S. Department of 
Transportation to serve on the PRAC in advisory capacities as ex 
officio (non-voting) members. The members of the Board also serve as ex 
officio members

[[Page 498]]

of the Committee. The PRAC will meet at least twice a year, and 
meetings are open to the public, consistent with the Government in the 
Sunshine Act, Public Law 94-409 (1976).
    The PRAC was officially formed on November 29, 2023, and currently 
has no members. The Board is therefore soliciting nominations from the 
public for candidates to fill every PRAC vacancy. The members of the 
PRAC will regularly serve a term of three years. However, under the 
PRAC charter,\1\ half of the initial PRAC members will serve a term of 
two years as designated by the Chair of the Board at the time of 
appointment. See PRAC Charter art. 12.a.vii.\2\ By letter dated 
December 28, 2023, the Chair of the Board has designated which initial 
PRAC members will serve for three-year and two-year terms. A copy of 
this letter is available on the PRAC website. Members of the PRAC are 
appointed to serve in a representative capacity.
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    \1\ A copy of the PRAC charter is available on the Board's 
website at: https://www.stb.gov/resources/stakeholder-committees/prac/.
    \2\ Under the PRAC charter, members may serve an additional term 
with approval from the Chair of the Board, without needing to be 
renominated for that additional term. See PRAC Charter art. 
12.a.viii. Any member of the PRAC who has served for two consecutive 
terms will be required to be renominated for membership and 
appointed by the Chair of the Board should they wish to serve for 
additional terms. If reappointed, that individual may serve two 
additional terms before being required to be renominated. See id., 
art. 12.a.ix.
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    The vacancies and initial term lengths are as follows:
     Two representatives from the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation (Amtrak).
    [cir] One representative will serve an initial three-year term. The 
other representative will serve an initial two-year term.
     Two representatives from commuter rail operators whose 
operations use facilities owned and/or utilized by (i) Amtrak, (ii) 
other intercity passenger rail operators, or (iii) rail freight 
operators (for purposes of ensuring geographic diversity within PRAC's 
membership, these representatives cannot be from the same state as any 
of the state representatives described below and cannot be from the 
same state as each other).
    [cir] One representative will serve an initial three-year term. The 
other representative will serve an initial two-year term.
     Two representatives from existing intercity passenger rail 
operators other than Amtrak, or developers of new intercity passenger 
rail lines other than Amtrak.
    [cir] One representative will serve an initial three-year term. The 
other representative will serve an initial two-year term.
     One representative from a state that provides funding for 
intercity passenger rail (for purposes of ensuring geographic diversity 
within PRAC's membership, this representative cannot be from the same 
state as any of the representatives of the commuter rail operators 
described above, or the representative from a state in which the 
intercity passenger rail stations are served only by long-distance 
trains described below).
    [cir] This representative will serve an initial three-year term.
     One representative from a state in which the intercity 
passenger rail stations are served only by long-distance trains, i.e., 
passenger trains serving the entirety of routes of more than 750 miles 
between endpoints (for purposes of ensuring geographic diversity within 
PRAC's membership, this representative cannot be from the same state as 
any of the representatives of the commuter rail operators described 
above or the representative from the state that provides funding for 
intercity passenger rail described above).
    [cir] This representative will serve an initial two-year term.
     Two representatives from Class I freight railroads.
    [cir] One representative will serve an initial three-year term. The 
other representative will serve an initial two-year term.
     One representative from a Class II or Class III freight 
railroad.
    [cir] This representative will serve an initial three-year term.
     One representative from an organized rail labor 
association.
    [cir] This representative will serve an initial three-year term.
     Two representatives from rail passenger advocacy 
organizations.
    [cir] One representative will serve an initial three-year term. The 
other representative will serve a two-year term.
     One representative from a rail shipper or customer 
advocacy organization or an individual shipper or customer.
    [cir] This representative will serve an initial two-year term.
     Three at-large representatives with relevant experience 
(including, but not limited to, individuals involved in the design or 
construction of passenger rail equipment or infrastructure, in the 
provision of passenger rail analytic or consulting services, in 
transportation planning, or in transportation-related public policy 
work).
    [cir] One representative will serve an initial three-year term. The 
other two representatives will each serve an initial two-year term.
    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 the PRAC, 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). No honoraria, salaries, 
travel or per diem are available to members of the PRAC; however, 
reimbursement for travel expenses may be sought from the Board in cases 
of hardship.
    Nominations for candidates to fill the vacancies should be 
submitted in letter form and should include: (1) the name, position, 
and business contact information of the candidate to include email 
address and phone number; (2) the interest the candidate will 
represent; (3) a summary of the candidate's experience and 
qualifications for the position; (4) a representation that the 
candidate is willing to serve as a member of the PRAC; and, (5) a 
statement that the candidate agrees to serve in a representative 
capacity. 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. Nominations for candidates for membership on the PRAC 
should be filed with the Board by February 5, 2024. Please note that 
submissions will be posted publicly on the Board's website under Docket 
No. EP 774 (Sub-No. 1).
    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1321; 49 U.S.C. 24101.

    Decided: December 29, 2023.

    By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Eden Besera,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-28989 Filed 1-3-24; 8:45 am]
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