Sens. Thune and Nelson introduce bill to streamline STB process

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015.

 

“While the STB has been working diligently to ensure the major rail service issues experienced last year by shippers and businesses in South Dakota and other states across the U.S. don’t happen again, last year’s crisis highlighted some of the inefficiencies that currently exist at the agency,” said Sen. Thune. “Oversight efforts have identified causes of wasteful and unnecessary delays in adjudicating cases that harm rail shippers, freight operators and, ultimately, consumers who pay higher costs. These reforms will help make the STB a more efficient, effective and accountable agency for the benefit of shippers and railroads alike.”

The bill would allow board members to work together in a more streamlined approach. It would expand the STB board membership from three to five members and allow for board members to discuss pending matters without issuing a public meeting notice, but with later public disclosure. The bill would also allow the board to initiate some investigations, not just respond to complaints and would require the STB to establish a database of complaints and prepare quarterly reports on them.

Sen. Thune and Sen. Nelson’s bill would also change the case review process by requiring the board to establish timelines for stand-alone rate cases and a report on rate case methodology. The bill would codify an arbitration process for certain rate disputes and carrier complaints.

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