Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007

To amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads.

3/22/2007--Introduced.
Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against a common carrier that is not a rail common carrier subject to the jurisdiction the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Revises provisions prohibiting anticompetitive transactions except for those approved by specified federal agencies acting under certain statutes to eliminate the exemption for certain STB approved transactions. Provides that, in any civil action against a rail common carrier, the U.S. district court shall not be required to defer to the primary jurisdiction of the STB. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to regulate, and engage in antitrust enforcement regarding, collective rate agreements and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions. Applies to rail common carriers subject to STB jurisdiction requirements governing the amount of recovery or prejudgment interest (treble damages) by injured persons, without regard to whether:
(1) such railroads have filed rates; or
(2) a complaint has been filed that challenges a rate. Amends federal transportation law to terminate the exemptions from antitrust laws for collective ratemaking agreements. Requires the STB, and other reviewing agencies, when reviewing a proposed agreement, to take into account its impact upon shippers, consumers, and affected communities. Revises STB authority to provide that a rail carrier, corporation, or a person participating in an approved transaction is not exempt from specified antitrust laws.


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Sponsor

• Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D, WI-2]
• and 28 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Rodney Alexander [R, LA-5]
  • Richard Baker
  • Rep. Robert Berry [D, AR-1]
  • Rep. Jo Bonner [R, AL-1]
  • Rep. Dan Boren [D, OK-2]
  • Rep. Bruce Braley [D, IA-1]
  • Rep. George Butterfield [D, NC-1]
  • Donald Cazayoux
  • Rep. Keith Ellison [D, MN-5]
  • Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen [R, NJ-11]
  • Rep. Scott Garrett [R, NJ-5]
  • Paul Gillmor
  • Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
  • Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [D, SD-0]
  • Rep. Bob Inglis [R, SC-4]
  • Rep. Steve Kagen [D, WI-8]
  • Rep. Ronald Kind [D, WI-3]
  • Rep. John Kline [R, MN-2]
  • Rep. Charles Melancon [D, LA-3]
  • Rep. Brad Miller [D, NC-13]
  • Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO-7]
  • Rep. Collin Peterson [D, MN-7]
  • Rep. Earl Pomeroy [D, ND-0]
  • Rick Renzi
  • Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
  • Rep. Victor Snyder [D, AR-2]
  • Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1]
  • Rep. Zach Wamp [R, TN-3]
  close

Committees

• House Judiciary
• 4 more
  • House Energy and Commerce
  • House Energy and Commerce
  • House Transportation and Infrastructure
  • House Transportation and Infrastructure
  close

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.1650

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
March 22, 2007

Show All Actions (14 actions)Hide Actions

All Bill Actions

• Sep 18, 2008: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
• Sep 18, 2008: Committee on Transportation discharged.
• Added to calendar on Sep 18, 2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 556..
• Sep 18, 2008: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-860, Part I.
• Apr 30, 2008: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
• Added to calendar on Apr 30, 2008: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote..
• Feb 25, 2008: Hearing Held by the Task Force on Antitrust and Competition Policy.
• Mar 23, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
• Mar 23, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
• Mar 22, 2007: Referred to House Judiciary
• Mar 22, 2007: Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
• Mar 22, 2007: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• Introduced on Mar 22, 2007.
• Mar 22, 2007: Referred to House Energy and Commerce

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Related Bills:

• S.772

Related Issue Areas:

• Business
• Actions and defenses
• Antitrust law
• Damages
• 7 more
• Injunctions
• Law
• Limitation of actions
• Railroad freight operations
• Railroad mergers
• Railroad rates
• Transportation

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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In the News

January 05, 2009 Ag groups urge end to railroad antitrust exemptions

...the nations agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Their letter recommended including the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act, H.R.1650, in any economic stimulus package. The legislation, which would represent a first step in protecting consumers and bu

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Source: Delta Farm Press

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May 06, 2008 ‘Broken monopoly’

By MARVIN BAKER, Staff Writer mbaker@minotdailynews.com The Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007 (HR 1650 and companion bill S. 772) repeals the ...

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Source: Minot Daily News, ND

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May 02, 2008 Railroad antritrust legislation passed by House Judiciary Committee

The legislation, entitled, HR 1650: The Railroad Enforcement Act of 2007, would create a dual regulatory system for our nation’s railroad industry and ...

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Source: Logistics Management, MA

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Blog Coverage

December 16, 2008 Progressive Railroading | CURE prioritizes rail reforms for next ...

CURE supports the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act (H.R. 1650/S. 772), which previously passed the House and Senate judiciary committees. The legislation proposes to eliminate railroads' antitrust exemptions, permit the U.S. Justice ...

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Source: Progressive Railroading.com News

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December 15, 2008 illinoisreview: House starts impeachment, blocks special election

For some observers, the discussion surrounding HR 1650 revealed how Democratic committee members may be forced to hold tight reins, and how concerned some may be that an impeachment hearing of Rod Blagojevich may end up opening an ...

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December 15, 2008 dld1717’s blog » So Illinois Democrats Begin To Stall On Special ...

They did vote on HR 1650 which begin impeachment proceeding and vote was 113 to 0, with four Republicans and one Democrat excused for the day. Sphere: Related Content · RSS feed | Trackback URI ...

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