To establish a national multimodal freight advisory committee in the Department of Transportation.

SA 3534. Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and Mr. Thune) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3464 submitted by Mr.
Thune (for himself and Mr. Nelson) to the bill H.R. 636, to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased expensing
limitations, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the
table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. NATIONAL MULTIMODAL FREIGHT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
establish a national multimodal freight advisory committee
(referred to in this section as the ``Committee'') in the
Department of Transportation, which shall consist of a
balanced cross-section of public and private freight
stakeholders representative of all freight transportation
modes, including--
(1) airports, highways, ports and waterways, rail, and
pipelines;
(2) shippers;
(3) carriers;
(4) freight-related associations;
(5) the freight industry workforce;
(6) State departments of transportation;
(7) local governments;
(8) metropolitan planning organizations;
(9) regional or local transportation authorities, such as
port authorities;
(10) freight safety organizations; and
(11) university research centers.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Committee shall be to
promote a safe, economically efficient, and environmentally
sustainable national freight system.
(c) Duties.--The Committee, in consultation with State
departments of transportation and metropolitan planning
organizations, shall provide advice and recommendations to
the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to freight
transportation in the United States, including--
(1) the implementation of freight transportation
requirements;
(2) the establishment of a National Multimodal Freight
Network under section 70103 of title 49, United States Code;
(3) the development of the national freight strategic plan
under section 70102 of such title;
(4) the development of measures of conditions and
performance in freight transportation;
(5) the development of freight transportation investment,
data, and planning tools; and
(6) recommendations for Federal legislation.
(d) Qualifications.--Each member of the Committee shall be
sufficiently qualified to represent the interests of the
member's specific stakeholder group, such as--
(1) general business and financial experience;
(2) experience or qualifications in the areas of freight
transportation and logistics;
(3) experience in transportation planning, safety,
technology, or workforce issues;
(4) experience representing employees of the freight
industry;
(5) experience representing State or local governments or
metropolitan planning organizations in transportation-related
issues; or
(6) experience in trade economics relating to freight
flows.
(e) Support Staff, Information, and Services.--The
Secretary of Transportation shall provide support staff for
the Committee. Upon the request of the Committee, the
Secretary shall provide such information, administrative
services, and supplies as the Secretary considers necessary
for the Committee to carry out its duties under this section.
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