2023-20135. Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Title VI as It Applies to Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant Programs

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Title VI as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before November 17, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods:

1. Website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) electronic docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments.

2. Fax: [phone].

3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001.

4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Golba at (202) 366–1065, or email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection.

Title: Title VI as It Applies to FTA Grant Programs OMB Number: 2132–0540.

Background: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) states:

“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

To achieve this purpose, each Federal department and agency which provides financial assistance for any program or activity is authorized and directed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to effectuate provisions of Title VI for each program or activity by issuing generally applicable regulations or requirements. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued its regulations implementing this DOJ mandate.

In this regard, the responsibility of the FTA is to ensure that federally supported transit services and benefits are distributed by applicants, recipients, and subrecipients of FTA assistance in a manner consistent with Title VI. The employment practices of a grant applicant, recipient, or sub-recipient are also covered under Title VI if the primary purpose of the FTA-supported program is to provide employment or if those employment practices would result in discrimination against beneficiaries of FTA-assisted services and benefits.

FTA policies and requirements are designed to clarify and strengthen Title VI (service equity) procedures for FTA grant recipients by requiring submission of written plans and approval of such plans by the agency. All project sponsors receiving financial assistance pursuant to an FTA-funded project shall not discriminate in the provision of services because of race, color, or national origin. Experience has demonstrated that a program requirement at the application stage is necessary to assure that benefits and services are equitably distributed by grant recipients. The requirements prescribed by the Office of Civil Rights are designed to accomplish this objective and diminish possible vestiges of discrimination among FTA grant recipients. FTA's assessment of the requirements indicated that the formulation and implementation of the Title VI Program should occur with a decrease in costs to such applicants and recipients.

Respondents: Transit agencies, States, and metropolitan planning organizations

Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 284 (45 hours for each of the 100 more specific Title VI Program submissions; 1 hour for each of the 183 general Title VI Program submissions).

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,684 hours.

Frequency: Annual.

Emily Anderson,

Director, Office of Management Planning.