[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 122 (Monday, June 24, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32411-32413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15732]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 594

[Docket No. 89-8; Notice 9]
RIN 2127-AG43


Schedule of Fees Authorized by 49 U.S.C. 30141

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes fees for Fiscal Year 1997 as authorized 
by 49 U.S.C. 30141 relating to the registration of importers and the 
importation of motor vehicles not certified as conforming to the 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS).
    NHTSA proposes that the annual fee for the registration of a new 
importer be increased from $456 to $501, and the annual fee for renewal 
of registration be increased from $240 to $332. The fee required to 
reimburse the U.S. Customs Service for bond processing costs would 
increases by $0.20, from $4.95 to $5.15 per bond.
    The fee payable for a determination that nonconforming vehicles are 
capable of conversion to meet the FMVSS would be increased from $104 to 
$199 if the determination results from a petition arguing that the 
nonconforming vehicle is substantially similar to conforming vehicles. 
With respect to vehicles that have no substantially similar 
counterpart, the fee rises from $520 to $721. In addition, the fee 
payable by the importer of each vehicle that benefits by a 
determination will be increased from $93 to $134, regardless of whether 
the determination is made pursuant to a petition or by NHTSA on its own 
initiative.

DATES: Comments are due August 8, 1996. The effective date of the final 
rule would be October 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to Docket No. 89-8; Notice x, and be 
submitted to : Docket Section, NHTSA, room 5109, 400 Seventh St., SW, 
Washington, D.C. 10590. Docket hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, Office of Safety Assurance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    On September 29, 1989, NHTSA issued 49 CFR part 594, establishing 
the initial fees authorized by section 108 of the National Traffic and 
Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended by the Imported Vehicle Safety 
Compliance Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100-562 (54 FR 40100). These fees were 
applicable in Fiscal Year 1990 (FY90). 49 U.S.C. 30141(e) (formerly 15 
U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(B)) provides that the amount or rate of fees shall be 
reviewed and, if appropriate, adjusted at least every 2 years. Further, 
the fees applicable in any fiscal year shall be established before the 
beginning of such year. The statute authorizes an annual fee to cover 
the costs of the importer registration program, an annual fee or fees 
to cover the cost of making import eligibility determinations, and an 
annual fee or fees to cover the cost of processing the bond furnished 
to the Customs Service.
    In accordance with the statutory requirements, NHTSA reviewed and 
adjusted fees for FY91 (55 FR 40664), for FY92-93 (56 FR 49427), and FY 
94-96 (58 FR 51021).
    As a general statement applicable to consideration of all fees, 
there has been a slight increase in hourly costs in the past three 
fiscal years attributable to the approximately 2 percent raise in 
salaries of employees on the General Schedule that became effective on 
January 1 in the years 1995, and 1996 (there was a locality raise only 
in 1994).

Requirements of the Fee Regulation

Section 594.6--Annual Fee for Administration of the Importer 
Registration Program

    Section 30141(a)(3) of Title 49 U.S.C. provides that registered 
importers must pay ``the annual fee the Secretary of Transportation 
establishes * * * to pay for the costs of carrying out the registration 
program for importers * * *.'' The annual fee attributable to the 
registration program is payable both by new applicants and by 
registered importers seeking to renew their registration. The reader is 
referred to the notice of September 29, 1989, for a fuller discussion 
of the fee and its components.
    In accordance with the statutory directive, NHTSA reviewed the 
existing fees and their bases in an attempt to establish appropriate 
fees for at least the next fiscal year which would be sufficient to 
recover the costs of carrying out the registration program for 
importers. The initial component of the Registration Program Fee is the 
portion of the fee attributable to processing and action upon 
registration applications. The agency has determined that this portion 
of the fee should be decreased from $356 to $301 for new applications, 
and increased from $100 to $132 for renewals. The higher initial cost 
is warranted because the average cost of processing a new application 
is substantially greater than that of its renewal.
    Other costs attributable to maintenance of the registration program 
arise from reviewing a registrant's annual statement and verifying the 
continuing validity of information already submitted. These costs also 
include costs attributable to revocation or suspension of a 
registration.
    The total portion of the fee attributable to maintenance of the 
registration program as estimated by NHTSA is approximately $200, an 
increase of $100. This reflects the fact that costs have been incurred 
for processing suspensions or revocations. When this $200 is added to 
the $301 representing the registration application component, the cost 
to an applicant equals $501, and is the fee proposed by NHTSA. It 
represents an increase of $45. When the $200 is added to the $132 
representing the renewal component, the cost to a renewing registered 
importer would be $332. This fee increase is also proposed. It 
represents an increase of $92.
    Sec. 564.6(h) recounts indirect costs that have been estimated at 
$6.71 per man-hour. This would be raised to $7.07 under the proposal.

Sections 594.7, 594.8--Fees to Cover Agency Costs in Making Importation 
Eligibility Determinations

    Section 30141(a)(3) also requires registered importers to pay 
``other fees the Secretary of Transportation establishes to pay for the 
costs of * * * (B) making the decisions under this subchapter.'' 
Pursuant to part 593, these

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decisions are whether the vehicle sought to be imported is 
substantially similar to a motor vehicle originally manufactured for 
import into and sale in the United States, and certified as meeting the 
FMVSS, and whether it is capable of being readily altered to meet those 
standards. Alternatively, where there is no substantially similar U.S. 
motor vehicle, the decision is whether the safety features of the 
vehicle comply with or are capable of being altered to comply with the 
FMVSS. These decisions are made in response to petitions submitted by 
registered importers or manufacturers, or pursuant to the 
Administrator's initiative. Because a substantially different procedure 
was adopted for the second year of this program, FY91, the reader is 
referred to the notice appearing at 55 FR 40664 for a fuller discussion 
of the cost factors of such determinations.
    For FY94-96, NHTSA continued the restructured fee schedule that was 
adopted for FY91. Under the restructuring, which continues in effect, 
the fee for a vehicle imported under a decision made on the agency's 
initiative is payable by the importer of any vehicle covered by that 
decision. The fee for a vehicle imported under a decision pursuant to a 
petition is payable in part by the petitioner and in part by importers. 
However, the fee to be charged for a vehicle is a pro rata share of the 
costs in making all the eligibility determinations in the fiscal year.
    The fees that were adopted in FY91 were retained unchanged for FY92 
and FY93; the fees adopted for FY94 were retained unchanged for FY95 
and FY96. As the agency noted in the final rule adopting the fees for 
FY94, only one petition had been granted for a vehicle which is not 
``substantially similar'' to a certified model, and there was not yet 
an average cost figure for this category. Since that time, at least 
half a dozen other petitions have been received and NHTSA has found 
that these require noticeably more analysis and, at times, further 
correspondence with the petitioner in order to have a sufficient data 
to reach a decision.
    Inflation and the small raises under the General Schedule also must 
be taken into count in the computation of costs.
    Accordingly, NHTSA proposes that there be an increase from $104 to 
$199 in the fee required to accompany a ``substantially similar'' 
petition, and from $520 to $721 for petitions for vehicles that are not 
substantially similar and that have no certified counterpart. In the 
event that a petition requests an inspection of a vehicle, under each 
petition, that fee will remain at $550.
    The importer of each vehicle covered by a petition currently must 
pay $93 upon its importation, the same fee applicable to those whose 
vehicles covered by a determination on the agency's initiative (other 
than Canadian vehicles covered by code VSA-1). This fee would be 
increased to $134, based upon an increase in administrative costs.
    The fee for inspection of a vehicle to verify its conformance 
status would remain unchanged.

Section 594.9--Fee To Recover the Costs of Processing the Bond

    Section 30141(a)(3) also requires a registered importer to pay 
``any other fees the Secretary of Transportation establishes * * * to 
pay for the costs of- (A) processing bonds provided to the Secretary of 
the Treasury'' upon the importation of a nonconforming vehicle to 
ensure that the vehicle will be brought into compliance within a 
reasonable time or if the vehicle is not brought into compliance within 
such time, that it is exported, without cost to the United States, or 
abandoned to the United States.
    The statute contemplates that NHTSA make a reasonable determination 
of the cost for the United States Customs Service of processing the 
bond. In essence, the cost to Customs is based upon an estimate of the 
time that a GS 9 Step 5 employee spends on each entry, which was judged 
to be 20 minutes. For a fuller discussion of these costs, the reader is 
again referred to prior notices of Docket 89-8.
    Because of the modest salary and locality raises in the General 
Schedule that were effective at the beginning of 1994, 1995, and 1996, 
NHTSA proposes that the current processing fee be increased by $0.20, 
from $4.95 per bond to $5.15.

Effective Date

    The effective date of the final rule would be October 1, 1996.

Rulemaking Analyses

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This rulemaking action was not reviewed under Executive Order 
12886. Further, NHTSA has determined that the action is not significant 
under Department of Transportation regulatory policies and procedures. 
NHTSA currently anticipates that the costs of the final rule would be 
so minimal as not to warrant preparation of a full regulatory 
evaluation. The action does not involve any substantial public interest 
or controversy. There is no substantial effect upon State and local 
governments. There is no substantial impact upon a major transportation 
safety program. Both the number of registered importers and 
determinations are estimated to be comparatively small. A regulatory 
evaluation analyzing the economic impact of the final rule adopted on 
September 29, 1989, was prepared, and is available for review in the 
docket.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The agency has also considered the effects of this action in 
relation to the Regulatory Flexibility Act. I certify that this action 
will not have a substantial economic impact upon a substantial number 
of small entities. Although entities that currently modify 
nonconforming vehicles are small businesses within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, the agency has no reason to believe that a 
substantial number of these companies could not pay the fees proposed 
by this action which would be only modestly increased from those now 
being paid, and which can be recouped through their customers. The cost 
to owners or purchasers of altering nonconforming vehicles to conform 
with the FMVSS may be expected to increase to the extent necessary to 
reimburse the registered importer for the fees payable to the agency 
for the cost of carrying out the registration program and making 
eligibility decisions, and to compensate Customs for its bond 
processing costs. Governmental jurisdictions will not be affected at 
all since they are generally neither importers nor purchasers of 
nonconforming motor vehicles.

C. Executive Order 12612 (Federalism)

    The agency has analyzed this action in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 
``Federalism'' and determined that the action does not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.

D. National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this action for purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The action will not have a significant effect 
upon the environment because it is anticipated that the annual volume 
of motor vehicles imported through registered importers will not vary 
significantly from that existing before promulgation of the rule.

E. Civil Justice

    This rule will not have any retroactive effect. Under 49 U.S.C. 
30103(b),

[[Page 32413]]

whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in effect, a state 
may not adopt or maintain a safety standard applicable to the same 
aspect of performance which is not identical to the Federal standard. 
Section 30161 sets forth a procedure for judicial review of final rules 
establishing, amending or revoking Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards. That section does not require submission of a petition for 
reconsideration or other administrative proceedings before parties may 
file suit in court.

Request for Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposal. 
It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.
    All comments must not exceed 15 pages in length (49 CFR 553.21). 
Necessary attachments may be appended to these submissions without 
regard to the 15-page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage 
commenters to detail their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
    If a commenter wishes to submit certain information under a claim 
of confidentiality, three copies of the complete submission including 
purportedly confidential business information, should be submitted to 
the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the street address given above, and seven 
copies from which the purportedly confidential information has been 
deleted should be submitted to the Docket Section. A request for 
confidentiality should be submitted accompanied by a cover letter 
setting forth the information specified in the agency's confidential 
business information regulation, 49 CFR Part 512.
    All comments received on or before the closing date indicated above 
for the proposal will be considered, and will be available for 
examination in the docket at the above address both before and after 
that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing 
date will also be considered. Comments received too late for 
consideration in regard to the final rule will be considered as 
suggestions for further rulemaking action. It is recommended that 
interested persons continue to examine the docket for new material.
    Those persons desiring to be notified upon receipt of their 
comments in the docket must enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard 
in the envelope with their comments. Upon receiving the comments, the 
docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 594

    Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles.

    In consideration of the foregoing, it is proposed that 49 CFR part 
594 be amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for part 594 would be revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141, 30166; delegation of authority at 49 
CFR 1.50.

    2. The title of part 594 would be changed to read as follows:

PART 594--SCHEDULE OF FEES AUTHORIZED BY 49 U.S.C. 30141

    3. Section 594.1 would be revised to read as follows:


Sec. 594.1   Scope.

    This part establishes the fees authorized by 49 U.S.C. 30141.
    4. Section 594.4 would be amended by revising its introductory 
paragraph to read as follows:


Sec. 594.4   Definitions.

    All terms used in this part that are defined in 49 U.S.C. 30102 are 
used as defined in that section.
* * * * *
    5. Section 594.6 would be amended by;
    (a) changing the year ``1993'' in paragraphs (d) and to read 
``1996,'' and
    (b) revising the introductory language in paragraph (a), (c) 
revising paragraph (b),
    (c) revising the final sentence of paragraph (h); and
    (d) revising paragraph (i)

to read as follows:


Sec. 594.6   Annual fee for administration of the registration program.

    (a) Each person filing an application to be granted the status of a 
Registered Importer pursuant to part 592 of this chapter on or after 
October 1, 1996, shall pay an annual fee of $501, as calculated below, 
based upon the direct and indirect costs attributable to: * * *
* * * * *
    (b) That portion of the initial annual fee attributable to the 
processing of the application for applications file on and after 
October 1, 1996, is $301. The sum of $301, representing this portion, 
shall not be refundable if the application is denied or withdrawn.
* * * * *
    (h) * * * This cost is $7.07 per man-hour for the period beginning 
October 1, 1996.
    (i) Based upon the elements, and indirect costs of paragraphs (f), 
(g), and (h) of this section, the component of the initial annual fee 
attributable to administration of the registration program, covering 
the period beginning October 1, 1996, is $200. When added to the costs 
of registration of $301, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the costs per applicant to be recovered through the annual fee are 
$501. The annual renewal registration fee for the period beginning 
October 1, 1996, is $332.
    6. Section 594.7 would be amended by revising the first two 
sentences of paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec. 594.7   Fee for filing petition for a determination whether a 
vehicle is eligible for importation.

* * * * *
    (e) For petitions filed on and after October 1, 1996, the fee 
payable for a petition seeking a determination under paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section is $199. The fee payable for a petition seeking a 
determination under paragraph (a)(2) of this section is $721. * * *
* * * * *
    7. Section 594.8 would be amended by revising the first sentence in 
paragraph (b) and in paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 594.8   Fee for importing a vehicle pursuant to a determination by 
the Administrator.

* * * * *
    (b) If a determination has been made pursuant to a petition, the 
fee for each vehicle is $134. * * *
    (c) If a determination has been made pursuant to the 
Administrator's initiative, the fee for each vehicle is $134. * * *
    8. Section 594.9(c) would be revised to read as follows:


Sec. 594.9   Fee for reimbursement of bond processing costs.

* * * * *
    (c) The bond processing fee for each vehicle imported on and after 
October 1, 1996, for which a certificate of conformity is furnished, is 
$5.15.

    Issued on: June 14, 1996.
Michael B. Brownlee,
Associate Administrator for Safety Assurance.
[FR Doc. 96-15732 Filed 6-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P