Notice2025-22689
Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council Vacancies
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
December 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Surface Transportation Board
Abstract
The Board hereby gives notice of vacancies on RSTAC for two large shipper representatives and one small shipper representative. The Board seeks nominations for candidates to fill these vacancies.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 237 (Friday, December 12, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 237 (Friday, December 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 57806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22689]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 24)]
Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council
Vacancies
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board (Board).
ACTION: Notice of vacancies on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation
Advisory Council (RSTAC) and solicitation of nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Board hereby gives notice of vacancies on RSTAC for two
large shipper representatives and one small shipper representative. The
Board seeks nominations for candidates to fill these vacancies.
DATES: Nominations are due on January 12, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted via e-filing on the Board's
website at <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a> or in writing addressed to: Surface
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001.
Submissions will be posted to the Board's website under Docket No. EP
526 (Sub-No. 24).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Lyons at (202) 997-7813. If
you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act,
please call (202) 245-0245.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board exercises broad authority over
transportation by rail carriers, including regulation of railroad
rates, practices, and service issues, (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).
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 1325, RSTAC was established to advise the
Board's Chairman; 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 shippers and
railroads. The ICC Termination Act of 1995 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 include representatives of small and
large shippers, and small and large railroads. These members are
appointed by the Chairman of the Board. 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 Chairman of
the Board, 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 certain 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 the terms of two large shipper
representatives and one small shipper representative, the Board is
seeking to fill three RSTAC positions. Nominations for candidates to
fill a vacancy should be submitted in letter form, identifying the name
of the candidate and the vacancy for which the candidate is being
nominated, 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. RSTAC candidate
nominations should be filed with the Board by January 12, 2026. Members
selected to serve on RSTAC are chosen at the discretion of the Board's
Chairman.
Please note that submissions will be posted on the Board's website
under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 24) and can also be obtained by
contacting the Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and
Compliance at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#095b4a5948497a7d6b276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6032233021201314024e070f16">[email protected]</span></a> or (202) 245-0238.
(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1325.)
Decided: December 10, 2025.
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief
Counsel.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2025-22689 Filed 12-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 12, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.