7 U.S.C. § 1291 : US Code - Section 1291: Adjustments in freight rates

Search 7 U.S.C. § 1291 : US Code - Section 1291: Adjustments in freight rates

(a) Complaints by Secretary of Agriculture; notice of hearings
The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make complaint to
the Surface Transportation Board with respect to rates, charges,
tariffs, and practices relating to the transportation of farm
products, and to prosecute the same before the Board. Before
hearing or disposing of any complaint (filed by any person other
than the Secretary) with respect to rates, charges, tariffs, and
practices relating to the transportation of farm products, the
Board shall cause the Secretary to be notified, and, upon
application by the Secretary, shall permit the Secretary to appear
and be heard.
(b) Secretary as party to proceedings
If such rate, charge, tariff, or practice complained of is one
affecting the public interest, upon application by the Secretary,
the Board shall make the Secretary a party to the proceeding. In
such case the Secretary shall have the rights of a party before the
Board and the rights of a party to invoke and pursue original and
appellate judicial proceedings involving the Board's determination.
The liability of the Secretary in any such case shall extend only
to liability for court costs.
(c) Utilization of records, services, etc., of Department of
Agriculture
For the purposes of this section, the Surface Transportation
Board is authorized to avail itself of the cooperation, records,
services, and facilities of the Department of Agriculture.
(d) Cooperation with complaining farm associations
The Secretary is authorized to cooperate with and assist
cooperative associations of farmers making complaint to the Surface
Transportation Board with respect to rates, charges, tariffs, and
practices relating to the transportation of farm products.