2019-25496. 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, 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 ICR describe the nature of the information collection and their expected burdens.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before December 26, 2019.

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.

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] or [e-mail].

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 July 18, 2019, FTA published a 60-day notice (84 FR 34474) 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 5310 Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities & Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program.

OMB Control Number: 2132-0500.

Type of Request: Renewal of a previously approved information collection.

Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program provides financial assistance for the specialized transportation service needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities in large urban, small urban and rural areas. Formula funding is apportioned to direct recipients: States for rural (under 50,000 population) and small urban areas (50,000-200,000); and designated recipients chosen by the Governor of the State for large urban areas (populations or 200,000 or more); or a State or local governmental entity that operates a public transit service. Section 3006(b) of Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), Public Law 114-94 authorized a pilot program for innovative coordinated access and mobility. 49 U.S.C. 5311—Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program provides financial assistance for the provision of public transportation services in rural areas. This program is administered by States. The Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program or Tribal Transit Program (TTP), is authorized as 49 U.S.C. 5311(j). The TTP is a set-aside from the Rural Area Formula Program (Section 5311), and consists of a $30 million formula program and a $5 million competitive grant program. These funds are apportioned directly to Indian tribes. Eligible recipients of TTP program funds include federally recognized Indian tribes, or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 49 U.S.C. 5310 and 5311 authorize FTA to review applications for federal financial assistance to determine eligibility and compliance with statutory and administrative requirements. The applications must contain sufficient information to enable FTA to make the findings required by law to enforce the requirements of the programs. Information collected during the project management stage provides a basis for monitoring approved projects to ensure timely and appropriate expenditure of federal funds by grant recipients.

Respondents: State or local governmental entities that operates a public transportation service.

Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 523 respondents.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 54,727 hours.

Frequency: Annual.

Nadine Pembleton,

Director Office of Management Planning.