ProgressiveRailroading.com, 3/20:
STB reauthorization bill would change freight-rail policiesU.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) yesterday introduced a bill that would reform and reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
The proposed Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S. 808) would reform the STB and "streamline" its procedures, according to a press release issued by Thune's office. The STB has federal regulatory jurisdiction over certain economic issues for freight railroads, including the rates they charge shippers.
Although the STB has been "working diligently" to ensure rail service delays experienced by shippers and businesses in South Dakota and other states last year don't occur again, the service "crisis" highlighted inefficiencies in the agency, said Thune.
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