STB initiates streamlined procedure

The Surface Transportation Board announced Monday that, beginning Dec. 15 ,it will implement a “grant stamp” procedure for “routine, unopposed decisions” issued by the Director of the Board’s Office of Proceedings.

STB said the new procedure, which was suggested by attorney Fritz Khan, will “streamline the agency’s processes, maximize efficient use of its resources, speed service to stakeholders, and better serve the public.”

The Director has delegated authority to issue decisions addressing routine procedural matters.

“Some of these decisions, in matters such as unopposed motions for extensions of time or requests for a procedural schedule to which all parties have agreed to, require little, if any, discussion by the Director,” said STB. “In such cases, rather than preparing a separate decision, the Director will apply a stamp to the filed pleading, and the stamped pleading will constitute the Board’s decision granting the relief sought.”