Last week the House followed the Senate’s lead and passed legislation reauthorizing the Surface Transportation Board.  The original bill was introduced in March by South Dakota Senator John Thune.  South Dakota Corn Grower’s Executive Director Lisa Richardson says this rail reform bill which gives more power to the STB to deal with price disputes and is an important measure for corn growers.

She says the legislation increases the number of STB board members from 3 to 5 which is an important provision.

Richardson says this measure should help prevent future rail disruptions that are costly for agriculture.

The rail reform measure came about following recent price hikes, rail car availability problems and service disruptions.