STB Suspends Operations Due to Government Shutdown

STB Press Releases

Published February 2nd, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has suspended operations due to a lapse in federal appropriations. During the shutdown, the STB will not process filings, issue decisions, or conduct hearings, and all submission deadlines will be tolled.

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What changed

Due to a partial lapse in federal appropriations, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has suspended most of its operations. This means the STB will not accept or process filings, issue decisions, hold hearings, or litigate cases, except for essential emergency services. FOIA requests will also not be processed, and website and email accounts will be unattended.

All deadlines requiring submissions to the STB during the shutdown period will be tolled, effectively pausing regulatory timelines. Regulated entities should be aware that normal STB functions are suspended and plan accordingly. For urgent matters requiring immediate Board action, a specific phone number is provided, but general inquiries will not receive responses until appropriations are restored.

What to do next

Note that all filing and submission deadlines to the STB are tolled during the government shutdown.
Identify any critical filings or actions that would normally be submitted to the STB and plan for their delayed processing.
Contact the STB emergency line if an urgent matter requires immediate Board action.

Source document (simplified)

Home » News & Communications » Latest News » Public Advisory Regarding Partial Lapse in Appropriations

Public Advisory Regarding Partial Lapse in Appropriations

For Release
02/02/2026 (Monday)
No. 26-03
[PDF Version]

Contact:

(202) 245-0245

Due to a lapse in appropriations causing the federal government to partially shut down its operations, Surface Transportation Board (STB) functions will be suspended. Accordingly, during any lapse in appropriations, the STB will not:

Accept or process any filings or submissions;
Process cases, issue decisions, or hold public hearings, oral arguments, or voting conferences, except to the extent work has been determined to be an excepted function (e.g., an emergency service order);
Litigate and appear in court, except to the extent work on a particular litigation matter has been determined to be an excepted function;
Conduct ex parte meetings in informal rulemaking proceedings; or
Respond to FOIA requests. All deadlines requiring the submission of material to the STB during the pendency of the shutdown will be tolled. The Board’s website and email accounts will be unattended for the duration of the partial government shutdown.

If you believe you have an emergency that requires immediate Board action, please call 202-245-0245 and leave a message.