[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3168]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

49 CFR Ch. XI

[BTS-96-1979]


Negotiated Rulemaking Committee To Revise the Motor Carrier 
Financial and Operating Data Collection Program; Rescheduling of 
Meeting and Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Establishment

AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of rescheduled meeting; Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On January 23, 1997, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics 
(BTS) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that BTS 
would hold a public meeting on its proposal to establish a negotiated 
rulemaking committee to examine the relevant issues and attempt to 
reach a consensus in developing regulations governing the collection of 
financial and operating data from motor carriers of property. The 
meeting was to take place in Washington, D.C., on February 10, 1997. 
The notice also extended to February 28, 1997, the comment period on 
the proposal to establish the negotiated rulemaking committee, on the 
proposed membership of the Committee, and on the proposed issues for 
consideration by the Committee.
    Due to scheduling conflicts with several people and entities that 
wish to participate, BTS has decided to reschedule the public meeting. 
The new meeting date is March 31, 1997, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Eastern 
Standard Time. In addition, BTS is further extending the comment period 
to April 30, 1997.

DATES: Rescheduled meeting. The meeting will be held Monday, March 31, 
1997, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
    Extended comment period. Interested parties may file comments and 
nominations for committee membership on or before April 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Meeting. The meeting will take place at the U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C., in 
conference room 2230 of the Nassif Building. Since access to the DOT 
building is controlled, all persons who plan to attend the meeting must 
notify David Mednick on (202) 366-8871 prior to March 27. Attendance is 
open to the interested public but limited to space available. Persons 
with a disability requiring special services, such as an interpreter 
for the hearing impaired, should contact Mr. Mednick at least seven 
days prior to the meeting.
    Comment Period. When sending comments and/or nominations, send the 
original plus three copies. Mail to Docket Clerk, Docket No. BTS-96-
1979, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-
401, Washington, D.C. 20590. Commenters desiring notification of 
receipt of comments must include a stamped, self-addressed postcard. 
The Docket Clerk will date stamp the postcard and mail it back to the 
commenter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Mednick, Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, K-2, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
D.C. 20590; by phone at (202) 366-8871; by e-mail at 
[email protected]; or by Fax at (202) 366-3640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 9, 1996, BTS published a notice in the Federal Register 
proposing to establish a negotiated rulemaking advisory committee (the 
Committee) under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Negotiated 
Rulemaking Act. 61 FR 64849. The Committee would consider the relevant 
issues and attempt to reach a consensus on regulations governing the 
collection of financial and operating data from motor carriers of 
property. This effort also is in response to the President's Regulatory 
Reinvention Initiative, which specifically directed agencies to 
increase use of regulatory negotiation in rulemaking proceedings. The 
Committee would be composed of people who represent the interests that 
would be substantially affected by the rule.
    On January 23, 1997, BTS published a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing it would hold a public meeting on the proposal on February 
10, 1997. 62 FR 3492. The purpose of the meeting was to better 
determine the utility of negotiating a rule on this matter. While 
negotiated rulemaking would attempt to resolve issues surrounding the 
motor carrier data collection program, several initial matters deserve 
attention. First, do we need to amend the existing rule and, if so, is 
negotiated rulemaking the best process for updating the motor carrier 
data collection program? Second, if so, what are the core issues in 
dispute and differing legitimate needs of the interested parties? 
Third, which organizations or interests should be represented on the 
Committee? Because of scheduling conflicts, the original date of the 
public meeting is being changed. This notice reschedules that meeting 
and provides an extension for submitting comments on the proposal 
published December 19, 1996.

No Other Changes to the January 23, 1996, Notice

    No other changes are made to the January 23, 1996, notice by this 
supplementary notice.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 4, 1997.
Robert A. Knisely,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
[FR Doc. 97-3168 Filed 2-5-97; 10:30 am]
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