Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate introduced bi-partisan legislation to reauthorize and reform the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) are the original co-sponsors.
The bill is largely the same as the one Senator Thune and then Chairman Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced at the end of the 113th Congress. Highlights of the bill include an expansion of the STB from three to five members, new investigatory authority, rate review timelines, a GAO study reviewing railroad rate bundling and contracting, a new arbitration process, and other significant improvements.
The biggest change is the deletion of the “Sense of Congress” provision that STB should complete work on two open rulemakings. While the list of organizations that support the bill is largely the same, one important change is the American Association of Railroads (AAR) does not object to the bill, at least publicly. This is important since AAR has led the efforts to defeat past versions of this reform initiative. On the other side of the Hill, the House of Representatives has not introduced a STB reform bill in several Congresses.
ISRI has been working with the coalition that is responsible for the development and advancement of this legislation for many years. We are excited to see the legislation reintroduced and will be working with our coalition partners to advance it in the 114th Congress. For more information on the STB legislation, please contact Billy Johnson.