Section 696.4 - Rail Freight Advisory Committee(a) Creation.--There is hereby created a Rail Freight Advisory Committee, which shall consist of 24 members. The members shall be as follows: (1) The Secretary of Transportation, ex officio.(2) The Secretary of Commerce, ex officio.(3) The Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, ex officio.(4) The Chairman and Minority Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.(5) The Chairman and Minority Chairman of the Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.(6) Seventeen members of the public representing the areas of concern specified who shall have extensive experience and knowledge of rail freight transportation activities throughout the Commonwealth to be appointed by the Governor as follows: (i) Two representatives of Class I railroad companies.(ii) Three representatives of regional railroad/short line operation.(iii) Six representative rail shippers, each to represent one of the following areas:(F) Food products/agriculture.(iv) One representative from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce.(v) Two representatives of regional/local economic development groups.(vi) Two representatives of regional/local planning commissions.(vii) One representative of rail contractors/suppliers. Each member may designate a representative to serve in his or her stead. A member who designates a representative shall notify the chairman, in writing, of the designation.
(b) Terms of appointees.--The term of all members of the committee appointed by the Governor shall be for three years, however, the initial terms of these members shall be as follows:(1) One year for the representative of a Class I railroad.(2) Two years for the representative of a Class III railroad.(3) Three years for the representative of a railroad shipper. Any member of the committee may be reappointed for an additional term or terms. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term.
(c) Meetings and expenses.--The committee shall meet at least four times every 12 months, but may hold such additional meetings as are called by the chairman or by petition of at least seven committee members. The public members of the committee shall be allowed per diem expenses, to be set by the committee, but not to exceed $75. The department shall provide appropriate staff support to enable the committee to properly carry out its functions.(d) Powers and duties.-- The power and duty of the committee shall be to advise and comment on the comprehensive rail freight study, to advise and comment on all phases of the rail freight transportation program activities being undertaken or financially assisted by the department, and to propose methods, strategies or technologies for improving rail freight transportation services systems or facilities within the Commonwealth. The committee shall periodically submit reports of its deliberations and conclusions to the Governor, members of the General Assembly and the State Transportation Commission. The committee and its statutory functions and duties shall terminate and go out of existence on December 31, 1993, unless reestablished or continued by the General Assembly. Evaluation and review, termination, reestablishment and continuation of the agency shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the act of December 22, 1981 (P.L. 508, No. 142), known as the Sunset Act.(e) Chairperson.--The members of the committee shall annually elect a chairperson, a vice chairperson and a secretary from among the public members appointed to the committee.1984, July 5, P.L. 587, No. 119, §4, effective in 60 days. Amended 1988, Dec. 21, P.L. 1898, No. 188, § 2, imd. effective.