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S 772 110th Congress Senate Commerce Antitrust law Civil actions and liability Damages Injunctions Law Limitation of actions Railroad freight operations Railroad mergers Railroad rates Transportation and Public Works

Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007

Introduced: March 6, 2007 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 19, 2007
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 551.
Dec 19, 2007
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. With written report No. 110-252.
Oct 23, 2007
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-886.
Oct 3, 2007
Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-199.
Sep 20, 2007
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Mar 7, 2007
Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. Hearings held.
Mar 6, 2007
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2708-2709)
Mar 6, 2007
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2708)
Mar 6, 2007
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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).

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 railroad common carriers in antitrust suits 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, 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.

What's happening now December 19, 2007

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 551.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4