§ 70201 — State Freight Advisory Committees

(a) The Secretary of Transportation shall encourage each State to establish a freight advisory committee consisting of a representative cross-section of public and private sector freight stakeholders, including representatives of— (1) ports, if applicable; (2) freight railroads, if applicable; (3) shippers; (4) carriers; (5) freight-related associations; (6) third-party logistics providers; (7) the freight industry workforce; (8) the transportation department of the State; (9) metropolitan planning organizations; (10) local governments; (11) the environmental protection department of the State, if applicable; (12) the air resources board of the State, if applicable; (13) economic development agencies of the State; and (14) not-for-profit organizations or community organizations. (b) Each member of a freight advisory committee established under subsection (a) shall have qualifications sufficient to serve on a freight advisory committee, including, as applicable— (1) general business and financial experience; (2) experience or qualifications in the areas of freight transportation and logistics; (3) experience in transportation planning; (4) experience representing employees of the freight industry; (5) experience representing a State, local government, or metropolitan planning organization; or (6) experience representing the views of a community group or not-for-profit organization. (c) A freight advisory committee of a State described in subsection (a) shall— (1) advise the State on freight-related priorities, issues, projects, and funding needs; (2) serve as a forum for discussion for State transportation decisions affecting freight mobility; (3) communicate and coordinate regional priorities with other organizations; (4) promote the sharing of information between the private and public sectors on freight issues; and (5) participate in the development of the freight plan of the State described in section 70202, including by providing advice regarding the development of the freight investment plan.