[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66192-66193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27611]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket Number NHTSA-2002-13463]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comment on a previously approved collection 
of information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 December 30, 2002.

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, SW., 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 9 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 Ms. Carlita 
Ballard, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, Washington, DC 
20590. Ms. Ballard's telephone number is (202 366-0307). 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 previously approved collection of 
information:
    Title: Insurer Reporting Requirement for 49 CFR Part 544.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0547.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Form Number: The collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Abstract: This information collection supports the Department's 
strategic goal of Economic Growth and Trade. The Motor Vehicle Theft 
Law Enforcement Act of 1984, added Title VI to the Motor Vehicle and 
Information Cost Savings Act (recodified as chapter 331 of Title 49, 
United States Code) (copy attached) which mandated this information 
collection. The 1984 Theft act was amended by the Anti Car Theft Act 
(ACTA) of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-519). NHTSA is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 
33112, to collect this information. This information collection 
supports the agency's economic growth and trade goal through rulemaking 
implementation developed to help reduce the cost of vehicle ownership 
by reducing the cost of comprehensive insurance coverage. 49 U.S.C. 
33112 requires certain passenger motor vehicle insurance companies and 
rental/leasing companies to provide information to NHTSA on 
comprehensive insurance premiums, theft and recoveries and actions 
taken to address motor vehicle theft.
    Estimated Annual Burden: Based on prior years' insurer compilation 
information, the agency estimates that the time to review and compile 
information for the reports will take approximately a total of 66,300 
burden hours (56,700 man-hours for 28 insurance companies and 9,600 
man-hours for 17 rental and leasing companies). Most recent year 
insurer compilation information estimates that it takes an average cost 
of $36.00 per hour for clerical and technical staff to prepare the 
annual reports. Therefore, the agency estimates the total cost 
associated with the burden hours to be $2,386,800.
    The burden hour for rental and leasing companies is significantly 
less than that for insurance companies because rental and leasing 
companies comply with fewer reporting requirements than the insurance 
companies. The reporting burden is based on claim adjusters' salaries, 
clerical and technical expenses, and labor costs.
    Number of Respondents: 45.
    Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department,

[[Page 66193]]

including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the 
use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

    Issued on: October 24, 2002.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 02-27611 Filed 10-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P