Commission staff schedules rail safety stakeholder meeting for May 21; NDSU expected to attend

Conrad, a staff member for the Public Service Commissioners, told commissioners that the commission has scheduled a rail safety and stakeholder meeting for May 21 at 1:30 p.m., occupying the informal slot following the commission meeting. Conrad said the session is typically about two hours long and that staff have contacted rail stakeholders and railroads to invite them.

Conrad said the timetable and participant list are set and that Dr. Tolliver from North Dakota State University will attend this year. Commissioner Kringstedt was listed as a collaborator on scheduling efforts.

Commissioners noted the extra time could allow broader discussion; one commissioner observed that expanding the meeting length gives stakeholders more opportunity to share information. The chair also flagged a pending bill that could be discussed at the stakeholder meeting — characterized in the transcript as a bill that would allow certain records to remain confidential and permit inspectors on-site for accident reports — but the transcript does not identify the bill by number or give statutory language.

Staff indicated no formal vote was required to set the meeting; the announcement functioned as an informational scheduling update and commissioners signaled approval by brief comments.