01-3551. Agency Information Collection Activities; Request for Comments; Renewed Approval of Information Collection; Drug Offender's Drivers' License Suspension Certification

AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves annual certifications submitted by the Governors of the States indicating their compliance with regulations which require revocation or suspension of drivers' licenses of individuals convicted of drug offenses (23 U.S.C. 159(a)(3)(A)). The information to be collected will be used to assess the States' role in meeting the legal Federal requirements of certain safety programs. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Please submit comments by April 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

You may mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; telefax comments to 202/493-2251; or submit electronically at http://dmses.dot.gov/​submit. All comments should include the docket number in this notice's heading. All comments may be examined and copied at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you desire a receipt you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard or, if you submit your comments electronically, you may print the acknowledgment page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Byron E. Dover, 202-366-2161, Office of Safety, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No: 2125-0579 (Expiration Date: June 30, 2001)

Title: Drug Offender's Drivers' License Suspension Certification

Background: States are legally required to enact and enforce laws that revoke or suspend the drivers' licenses of any individual convicted of a drug offense and to make annual certifications to the FHWA on their actions. The implementing regulations of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1993 (Pubic Law 102-388, October 6, 1992) require annual certifications by the Governors. In this regard, the State must submit by January 1 of each year either a written certification, signed by the Governor, stating that the State is in compliance with 23 U.S.C. 159; or a written certification stating that the Governor is opposed to the enactment or enforcement, and that the State legislature has adopted a resolution expressing its opposition to 23 U.S.C. Section 159.

Beginning in fiscal year 1996, States' failure to comply by October 1 of each fiscal year will result in a withholding penalty of 10 percent from major categories of Federal-aid funds (i.e., National Highway System, Surface Transportation Program and Interstate) from States' apportionments for the fiscal year. Any funds withheld in FY 1996 and thereafter cannot be restored and will be redistributed.

Respondents: 50 States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: Annual average of 5 hours for each respondent; 260 total annual burden hours

Public Comments Invited

You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burdens could be minimized, including use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

Electronic Access

Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL): http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and help. An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office Electronic Bulletin Board Service at telephone number 202-512-1661. Internet users may reach the Federal Register's home page at http://www.nara.gov/​fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at http://www.access.gpo.gov/​nara.

Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on: February 7, 2001.

James R. Kabel,

Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.