(a) In General.—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.

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(b) Qualifications.—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) Role of Committee.—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.