Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015
and Related Reports

The Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-110) establishes the STB as a wholly independent federal agency. Prior to the Act, the STB was administratively aligned with the U.S. Department of Transportation, although it had been decisionally independent since its establishment in 1996.

The Act:

•  Expands the STB’s membership from three to five Board Members.

•  Allows a majority of STB Board Members to meet in private to discuss agency matters, subject to certain rules and procedures;

•  Gives the STB authority to investigate issues of national or regional significance and requires the Board to establish regulations governing such investigations;

•  Directs the STB to modify its voluntary arbitration process, including increases in the maximum damage awards;

•  Shortens timelines applicable to large rate case proceedings, including time limits for discovery and development of the evidentiary record;

•  Directs the Comptroller General of the United States (the head of the United States General Accountability Office) to begin a study of rail transportation contract proposals containing multiple origin-to-destination movements;

•  Requires STB preparation and publication of a rate case methodology report and various other reports.