03-4918. Request for Renewal of Currently Approved Information Collection: Certification of Enforcement of Vehicle Size and Weight Laws

AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the requirements in section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew its clearance of the currently approved information collection identified below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before May 2, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

All signed, written comments should refer to the docket number that appears in the heading of this document and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Please identify the specific collection of information that is being commented on by referencing its OMB control number. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Bob Davis, [phone], Federal Highway Administration, Office of Freight Management and Operations, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Certification of Enforcement of Vehicle Size and Weight Laws.

OMB Number: 2125-0034.

Background: Title 23, U.S.C., Section 141, requires each State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to file an annual certification that they are enforcing their size and weight laws on Federal-aid highways and that their Interstate System weight limits are consistent with Federal requirements to be eligible to receive an apportionment of Federal highway trust funds. Section 141 also authorizes the Secretary to require States to file such information as is necessary to verify that their certifications are accurate. To determine whether States are adequately enforcing their size and weight limits, each must submit an updated plan for enforcing their size and weight limits to the FHWA at the beginning of each fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year, they must submit their certifications and sufficient information to verify that the enforcement goals established in the plan have been met. Failure of a State to file a certification, adequately enforce its size and weight laws, and enforce weight laws on the Interstate System that are consistent with Federal requirements, could result in a specified reduction of its Federal highway fund apportionment for the next fiscal year. In addition, Section 123 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-599, 92 Stat. 2689, 2701) requires each jurisdiction to inventory (1) its penalties for violation of its size and weight laws, and (2) the term and cost of its oversize and overweight permits.

Respondents: The State Departments of Transportation (or equivalent) in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,160 hours. This number has not changed from the last approved OMB clearance.

Frequency: The reports must be submitted annually.

Authority: 23 U.S.C. 141; 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 23 CFR 657; sect. 123, Pub. L. 95-599, 92 Stat. 2701; 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on: February 24, 2003.

James R. Kabel,

Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.