E6-7657. Reports, Forms and Record Keeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT

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 February 10, 2006, (71 FR 7113).

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before June 19, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lori Summers, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Rulemaking, NVS-112, [phone], 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Title: Part 585—Advanced Air Bag Phase-In Reporting Requirements.

OMB Number: 2127-0599.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30111 authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and regulations. The agency, in prescribing a FMVSS or regulation, considers available relevant motor vehicle safety data, and consults with other agencies, as it deems appropriate. Further, the statute mandates that in issuing any FMVSS or regulation, the agency considers whether the standard or regulation is “reasonable, practicable and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed,” and whether such a standard will contribute to carrying out the purpose of the Act. The Secretary is authorized to invoke such rules and regulations as deemed necessary to carry out these requirements.

Using this authority, the agency issued FMVSS No. 208, “Occupant crash protection,” to aid the agency in achieving many of its safety goals. This notice requests comments on the extension of the phase-in reporting requirements of this FMVSS related to the implementation of advanced air bags. Phase 1 of the advanced air bag phase-in began September 1, 2003 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2005. Phase 2 of the advanced air bag phase-in begins September 1, 2006 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2009.

NHTSA needs this information to ensure that vehicle manufacturers are certifying their applicable vehicles as meeting the new advanced air bag requirements of FMVSS No. 208. NHTSA will use this information to determine whether a manufacturer has complied with the amended requirements during the phase-in period.

Affected Public: Individuals, households, business, other for-profit, not-for-profit, farms, Federal Government and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,281 hours (21 affected manufacturers × 61 hours).

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.

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 most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2006.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.