[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18488-18489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9931]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-98-3724]


Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.
    This document describes one collection of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at 
the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, 
Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590. Please 
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is 
provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but 
not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket 
Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Michael 
Robinson, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, 400 Seventh 
Street, S.W., Room 6123, NAD-40, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr. Robinson's 
telephone number is (202) 366-9456. Please identify the relevant 
collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must 
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 
1320.8(d), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond,

including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collections of information:
    (1) Title: 23 CFR Parts 1200, 1204 and 1205 Uniform Safety Program 
Cost Summary Form (HS 217) for Highway Safety Plan.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0003.
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Abstract: The Highway Safety Act of 1966 (23 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) 
established a formula grant program to improve highway safety in the 
States. As a condition of the grant, the Act provides that the States 
must meet certain requirements contained in 23 U.S.C.

[[Page 18489]]

402. Section 402(a) requires each State to have a highway safety 
program, approved by the Secretary of Transportation, which is designed 
to reduce traffic crashes and the deaths, injuries, and property damage 
resulting from those crashes. Section 402(b) sets forth the minimum 
requirements with which each State's highway safety program must 
comply. A 1987 amendment to the Highway Safety Act required the 
Secretary to determine, through a rulemaking process, those programs 
``most effective'' in reducing crashes, injuries, and deaths, taking 
into account ``consideration of the States having a major role in 
establishing [such] programs.'' The Secretary was authorized to revise 
the rule from time to time. In accordance with this provision, the 
agencies have identified, over time, nine such programs, the ``National 
Priority Program areas: (1) Alcohol and other Drug Countermeasures, (2) 
Police Traffic Services, (3) Occupant Protection, (4) Traffic Records, 
(5) Emergency Medical Services, (6) Motor Safety, (7) Pedestrian and 
Bicycle Safety, and (8) Speed Control & (9) Roadway Safety.
    Under this program, States submit the Highway Safety Program and 
other documentation explaining how they intend to use the grant funds. 
In order to account for funds expended under these priority areas and 
other program areas, States are required to submit a Program Cost 
Summary. The Program Cost Summary is completed to reflect the State's 
proposed allocations of funds (including carry-forward funds) by 
program area, based on the projects and activities identified in the 
Highway Safety Plan. During the past several years, numerous steps have 
been taken to reduce the burden of paperwork on the States. The annual 
burden will remain low due to the minimum amount of documentation 
required to be provided has been substantially reduced. We have 
simplified this process even more by automating the Program Cost 
Summary.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 570.
    Number of Respondents: 57.

    Issued on: April 7, 1998.
Adele Derby,
Associate Administrator for State and Community Services.
[FR Doc. 98-9931 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am]
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