Notice2025-02049
Notice of Passenger Rail Advisory Committee Vacancy
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 31, 2025
Issuing agencies
Surface Transportation Board
Abstract
The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice of a vacancy on the PRAC for a representative from a state that provides funding for intercity passenger rail. The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates to fill this vacancy.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8732-8733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02049]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. EP 774 (Sub-No. 1)]
Notice of Passenger Rail Advisory Committee Vacancy
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
ACTION: Notice of vacancy on the Passenger Railroad Advisory Committee
(PRAC) and solicitation of nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice
of a vacancy on the PRAC for a representative from a state that
provides funding for intercity passenger rail. The Board is soliciting
nominations from the public for candidates to fill this vacancy.
DATES: Nominations are due by February 27, 2025.
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 <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a>. 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: The Board established the PRAC in 2023 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 advise the Board
[[Page 8733]]
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).
When all vacancies are filled, the PRAC consists of at least 18
voting members \1\ 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 of the Committee. The PRAC meets 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).
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\1\ There are currently 20 voting members serving on the PRAC,
plus one vacancy.
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A vacancy currently exists on the PRAC for a representative from a
state that provides funding for intercity passenger rail. The Board is
therefore soliciting nominations from the public for candidates to fill
this vacancy. Pursuant to the PRAC charter, this representative cannot
be from the same state as any of the representatives of the commuter
rail operators, or the representative from a state in which the
intercity passenger rail stations are served only by long-distance
trains.\2\ See PRAC Charter art. 12.a.ii.4. The new member will serve
the remainder of the representative's current 3-year term, which ends
in March 2027. Members may serve an additional term with approval from
the Chair of the Board, without needing to be renominated for that
additional term.\3\ Members of the PRAC are appointed to serve in a
representative capacity.
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\2\ The current commuter rail representatives are from Illinois
and California and the current representative from a state in which
the intercity passenger rail stations are served only by long-
distance trains is from Colorado.
\3\ Under the PRAC Charter, 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, they may serve
two additional terms before being required to be renominated.
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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 47482 (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 current vacancy should be
submitted in letter form and should include: (1) the name, position,
and business contact information (including email address and phone
number) of the candidate; (2) a summary of the candidate's experience
and qualifications for the position; (3) a representation that the
candidate is willing to serve as a member of the PRAC; and, (4) a
statement that the candidate agrees to serve in a representative
capacity. Candidates may nominate themselves. Nominations for
candidates for the current vacancy on the PRAC should be filed with the
Board by February 27, 2025. 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: January 28, 2025.
By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Aretha Laws-Byrum,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2025-02049 Filed 1-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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