E6-3220. Reports, Forms and Record Keeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on December 5, 2005 [70 FR 272501]. This is a request for an extension of an existing collection.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention NHTSA Desk Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mary Versailles, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 5320, NVS-131, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Versailles' telephone number is [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Title: 49 CFR 575—Consumer Information Regulations (sections 103 and 105).

OMB Control Number: 2127-0049.

Form Number: None.

Affected Public: Vehicle manufacturers.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.

Abstract: NHTSA must ensure that motor vehicle manufacturers comply with 49 CFR Part 575, Consumer Information Regulation § 575.103 Truck-camper loading and § 575.105 Utility Vehicles. Section 575.103, requires that manufacturers of light trucks that are capable of accommodating slide-in campers provide information on the cargo weight rating and the longitudinal limits within which the center of gravity for the cargo weight rating should be located. Section 575.105 requires that manufacturers of utility vehicles affix a sticker in a prominent location alerting drivers that the particular handling and maneuvering characteristics of utility vehicles require special driving practices when these vehicles are operated.

Estimated Annual Burden: 300 hours.

Number of Respondents: 15.

Based on prior years' manufacturer submissions, the agency estimates that 15 responses will be submitted annually. Currently 12 light truck manufacturers comply with 49 CFR part 575. These manufacturers file one response annually and submit an additional response when they introduce a new model. Changes are rarely filed with the agency, but we estimate that three manufacturers will alter their information because of model changes. The light truck manufacturers gather only pre-existing data for the purposes of this regulation. Based on previous years' manufacturer information, the agency estimates that light truck manufacturers use a total of 20 hours to gather and arrange the data in its proper format (9 hours), to distribute the information to its dealerships and attach labels to light trucks that are capable of accommodating slide-in campers (4 hours), and to print the labels and utility vehicle information in the owner's manual or a separate document included with the owner's manual (7 hours). The estimated annual burden hour is 300 hours. This number reflects the total responses (15) times the total hours (20). Prior years' manufacturer information indicates that it takes an average of $35.00 per hour for professional and clerical staff to gather data, distribute and print material. Therefore, the agency estimates that the cost associated with the burden hours is $10,500 ($35.00 per hour × 300 burden hours).

Estimated Annual Cost: $2,883,685.

The annual cost is based on light truck production. In model year 2005, light truck manufacturers produced about 8,239,100 units. By assuming that all light truck manufacturers (both large and small volume manufacturers) incur the same cost, the total annual cost to comply with statutory requirements, § 575.103 and § 575.105 = $2,883,685 (or $0.35 each unit).

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.
• Whether the Department's estimate for the burden of the proposed information collection is accurate.
• 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 most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

Issued on: March 1, 2006.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.