STATE AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS PUSH RAILROAD REFORMS

News Date February 25, 2008

       NASDA is urging lawmakers in the House and Senate to quickly pass legislation that will ensure agriculture has access to safe, reliable, and competitive railroad service in the ever increasingly competitive global marketplace. State agriculture leaders approved a resolution supporting railroad reform, which was offered by Montana Agriculture Director Ron de Yong, during NASDA's recent midyear meeting. 
       NASDA's statement and letters support the Railroad Competition and Improvement Act, introduced as H.R. 2125 in the House and S. 953 in the Senate, and the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act, introduced as H.R. 1650 in the House and S 772 in the Senate. 
       H.R. 2125 and S. 953 ensure that rail customers have access to competitive rail service and that rail customers without access to competition are protected from unreasonable railroad rates and practices and have access to reliable rail service. The legislation also includes provisions such as final offer arbitration, which are especially important to the agriculture industry. 
       H.R. 1650 and S. 772 would expand provisions of federal antitrust laws and eliminate exemptions that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has placed S. 772 on the Senate calendar for possible early action. 
       NASDA noted that rail transportation remains a critical component to the agriculture industry as it moves commodities to domestic and international markets from producers in rural America. The legislation is supported by the Alliance for Rail Competition, which includes the Agricultural Ocean Transportation Industry, the American Chemistry Council, American Public Power Association, Consumers United for Rail Equity, the Edison Electric Institute, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Petroleum Refiners Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Paper and Forest Industry Transportation Committee, and the United Transportation Union. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)