((a)) ** .—** The Secretary of Transportation shall encourage each State to establish a freight advisory committee consisting of a representative cross-section of public and private sector freight stakeholders, including representatives of—

((1)) ports, if applicable;

((2)) freight railroads, if applicable;

((3)) shippers;

((4)) carriers;

((5)) freight-related associations;

((6)) third-party logistics providers;

((7)) the freight industry workforce;

((8)) the transportation department of the State;

((9)) metropolitan planning organizations;

((10)) local governments;

((11)) the environmental protection department of the State, if applicable;

((12)) the air resources board of the State, if applicable;

((13)) economic development agencies of the State; and

((14)) not-for-profit organizations or community organizations.

((b)) ** .—** Each member of a freight advisory committee established under subsection (a) shall have qualifications sufficient to serve on a freight advisory committee, including, as applicable—

((1)) general business and financial experience;

((2)) experience or qualifications in the areas of freight transportation and logistics;

((3)) experience in transportation planning;

((4)) experience representing employees of the freight industry;

((5)) experience representing a State, local government, or metropolitan planning organization; or

((6)) experience representing the views of a community group or not-for-profit organization.

((c)) ** .—** A freight advisory committee of a State described in subsection (a) shall—

((1)) advise the State on freight-related priorities, issues, projects, and funding needs;

((2)) serve as a forum for discussion for State transportation decisions affecting freight mobility;

((3)) communicate and coordinate regional priorities with other organizations;

((4)) promote the sharing of information between the private and public sectors on freight issues; and

((5)) participate in the development of the freight plan of the State described in section 70202, including by providing advice regarding the development of the freight investment plan.