2016-23772. Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on May 9, 2016 (81 FR 28158).

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before November 2, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tia Swain, Office of Administration, Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop TAD-10, Washington, DC 20590 [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, Section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On May 9, 2016, FTA published a 60-day notice (81 FR 28158) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments after issuing this 60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12(c).

Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.

The summaries below describe the nature of the information collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by the PRA.

Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5339, Bus and Bus Facilities Program.

OMB Control Number: 2132-0576.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: 49 U.S.C. Section 5339, the Bus and Bus Facilities Program, was originally authorized by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). The program was reauthorized under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Section 3017. This program authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide funding to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities.

Funding is provided through formula allocations and competitive grants. With the passing of the FAST Act, two competitive grant programs were added: 5339(b) for bus and bus facility projects and 5339(c) for bus and bus facility projects that support low and zero-emission vehicles. Eligible recipients include 5307 Direct Recipients, States and Federally Recognized Tribes. Eligible sub-recipients include those recipients that that receive a grant under the formula or discretionary programs and may allocate amounts from the grant to sub-recipients that are public agencies or private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation. Recipients apply for grants electronically and FTA collects milestone and financial status reports from designated recipients and states on a quarterly basis. The information submitted ensures FTA's compliance with applicable federal laws.

Annual Estimated Total Burden Hours: 60,650 hours.

ADDRESSES:

All written comments must refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk Officer. Alternatively, comments may be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget, at the following address: [e-mail].

Comments are Invited On: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

William Hyre,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Administration.