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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 [www.gpo.gov]
[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 www.stb.gov. 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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