00-870. Highway Motor Fuel Reporting Reassessment; Public Workshops

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 2222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-870]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Highway Motor Fuel Reporting Reassessment; Public Workshops

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; Public workshops.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA Office of Highway Policy Information is sponsoring 
two one-day workshops to discuss the reporting of motor fuel 
information. The purpose of these workshops is to provide information 
on the reporting of motor fuel data from the States to the FHWA, the 
process by which the FHWA attributes Federal revenue to the States 
using the State-provided data, and to discuss and gather input on 
potential changes to the reporting procedures. The FHWA invites Federal 
and State Government agencies and interested public groups and 
individuals to attend.

DATES: The workshops will be conducted between 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. 
(local times). The locations and dates are listed below:
    1. January 27, 2000, Marriott Philadelphia Downtown, 1201 Market 
St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, tel: [phone]. The hotel is offering a 
government rate of $113 per night for a single room, plus taxes. Please 
contact the hotel as soon as possible, but not later than January 21, 
2000, to reserve your room and receive the government rate. Refer to 
the Federal Highway Motor Fuel Workshop when making your reservation.
    2. February 24, 2000, Adams Mark Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, 
CO 80202, tel: [phone]. The hotel is offering a government rate of 
$83 per night for a single room, plus taxes. Please contact the hotel 
as soon as possible, but not later than January 23, 2000, to reserve 
your room and receive the government rate. Refer to the Federal Highway 
Motor Fuel Workshop when making your reservation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Specifics on registration and hotel 
accommodation information are available by calling Ms. Evangeline 
Pappas of Harrington-Hughes and Associates, Inc; at [phone]. For 
workshop issues, contact Ms. Marsha Reynolds at [phone], or Mr. 
Ralph C. Erickson at [phone], Office of Highway Policy 
Information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at 
[phone]. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal 
Register's home page at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government 
Printing Office's web page at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara. The 
``Guide to Reporting Highway Statistics,'' is electronically available 
for review at the URL: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/ghwystat.htm.

Background

    The current motor-fuel reporting structure has served apportionment 
and information needs very well. (See chapter 2 of the ``Guide to 
Reporting Highway Statistics,'' which is electronically available as 
provided above.) However, the more extensive use of motor fuel data for 
apportionments under Federal legislation suggests that updating and 
improving the current reporting structure is necessary. While 
improvements in the current structure have been made, a number of 
reporting issues remain.
    The FHWA, in conjunction with the American Association of State 
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federation of Tax 
Administrators (FTA), has initiated a review of its motor-fuel 
reporting process. As part of this review, the FHWA has held two 
meetings of a committee composed of representatives from State 
departments of transportation and revenue, and others, to discuss and 
develop recommendations for motor fuel reporting improvements. The FHWA 
has begun to consolidate these recommendations, but is seeking further 
information from State data reporters and other experts in the subject 
matter.
    Many States have expressed a strong interest in better 
understanding the attribution process, and in reporting motor fuel data 
to support each State's fair share of the attribution. About $11 
billion annually in funds are apportioned based on State-reported motor 
fuel as provided in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, 
Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107 (1998). The workshops on highway 
motor fuel reporting will provide an opportunity for States to achieve 
a better understanding of this process and provide input on reporting 
improvements.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; sections 1103 and 1104 of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Pub. L. 105-178, 112 
Stat. 107 (1998); and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: January 10, 2000.
Walter L. Sutton, Jr.,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 00-870 Filed 1-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P