[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42751-42752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17497]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this 30-day notice announces that the Information 
Collection Requirement (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting comments on the following collections of information was 
published on May 18, 2000 (65 FR 31624).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 11, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning 
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6292), or Dian Deal, Office of Information Technology and 
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6133). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Pub. L. No. 104-13, Sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised 
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public 
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve 
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 C.F.R. 1320.5, 
1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On February 9, 2000, FRA published a 60-day 
notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the 
agency was seeking OMB approval. 65 FR 6438. FRA received no comments 
in response to this notice.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or 
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60

[[Page 42752]]

days after the 30 day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 
CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB 
believes that the 30 day notice informs the regulated community to file 
relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public 
comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. 
Therefore respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB 
within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full effect. 
5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The revised 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Hours of Service Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0005.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.3.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad 
hours of service regulations set forth in 49 CFR Part 228 which require 
railroads to collect hours of duty for covered employees, and records 
of train movements. Railroads whose employees have exceeded maximum 
duty limitations must report the circumstances. Also, a railroad that 
has developed plans for construction or reconstruction of sleeping 
quarters (Subpart C of 49 CFR Part 228) must obtain approval of the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by filing a petition conforming 
to the requirements of Sections 228.101, 228.103, and 228.105.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 4,067,432.
    Title: Railroad Operating Rules.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0035.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad 
operating rules set forth in 49 CFR Part 217 which require Class I and 
Class II railroads to file with FRA copies of their operating rules, 
timetables, and timetable special instructions, and subsequent 
amendments thereto. Class III railroads are required to retain copies 
of these documents at their system headquarters. Also, 49 CFR 220.21(b) 
prescribes the collection of information which requires railroads to 
retain one copy of their current operating rules with respect to radio 
communications and one copy of each subsequent amendment thereto. These 
documents must be made available to FRA upon request.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 131,192.
    Title: State Safety Participation Regulations and Remedial Actions.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0509.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.10/29/29A/33 /61/67/68/68A/69/96/96A/96B
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
Part 212, and requires qualified state inspectors to provide various 
reports concerning state investigative, inspection, and surveillance 
activities regarding railroad compliance with Federal railroad safety 
laws and regulations to FRA for monitoring and enforcement purposes. 
Additionally, railroads are required to report to FRA actions taken to 
remedy certain alleged violations of law.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 9,467.
    Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
Part 221 which requires railroads to furnish a detailed description of 
the type of marking device to be used for the trailing end of rear cars 
in order to ensure rear cars meet minimum standards for visibility and 
display. Railroads are required to furnish a certification that the 
device has been tested in accordance with current ``Guidelines for 
Testing of FRA Rear End Marking Devices.'' Additionally, railroads are 
required to furnish detailed test records which include the testing 
organizations, description of tests, number of samples tested, and the 
test results in order to demonstrate compliance with the performance 
standard.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 8.
    Title: Certification of Glazing Materials.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0525.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.3.
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
Part 223 which requires the certification and permanent marking of 
glazing materials by the manufacturer along with the responsibility of 
the manufacturer to make available test verification data to railroads 
and FRA upon request.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 1,010.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding these information collections to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, D.C., 20503. 
Attention: FRA Desk Officer.
    Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed 
collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of FRA, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the 
proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB 
receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. Secs. 3501-3520.

Margaret B. Reid,
Acting Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, 
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-17497 Filed 7-10-00; 8:45 am]
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