Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 110th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

D KohlSponsor

11 cosponsors · 9 D, 2 R

4 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

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 of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

What it does: CRS summary · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Dec 19, 2007

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 (FTC) to regulate, and engage in antitrust enforcement regarding, collective rate agreements and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions.

Permits treble damages against a railroad common carrier in an antitrust suit to parties injured by antitrust violations without regard to whether such railroads have filed rates or whether a complaint challenging rates has been filed.

Amends federal transportation law to terminate the exemptions from antitrust laws for collective ratemaking agreements.

Requires the STB, 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. Provides an exception with respect to any transaction relating to the pooling of railroad cars approved by the STB or its predecessor agency.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007

Latest action (Dec 19, 2007): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 551.

Policy area: Commerce · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Mar 6, 2007

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.