[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67318-67322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22052]



[[Page 67317]]

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

Part V





Department of Transportation





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



Federal Transit Administration



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



 49 CFR Part 601



Organization, Functions, and Procedures; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2005 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 67318]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

49 CFR Part 601

[Docket FTA-2005-22705]
RIN 2132-AA79


Organization, Functions, and Procedures

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This final rule will amend 49 CFR Part 601 to reflect 
modifications in the organization and distribution of functions within 
the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and to document its 
rulemaking procedures. This rule has not been amended since 1999, and 
recently there has been a restructuring of offices and duties within 
FTA. Additionally, many of FTA's regional offices have physically moved 
to different locations; thus, this rule revises the addresses and phone 
numbers of the regional offices. Further, the outdated internal 
delegations of authority have been removed, the means by which the 
public can access FTA information has been updated, and FTA's 
rulemaking procedures are provided.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of this rule is November 4, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie L. Graves, Attorney-Advisor, 
Legislation and Regulations Division, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal 
Transit Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room 9316, Washington, 
DC 20590, phone: (202) 366-4011, fax: (202) 366-3809, or e-mail, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of the Final Rule

    You may download this rule from the Department's Docket Management 
System (http://dms.dot.gov) by entering docket number 22705 in the 
search field or from Government Printing Office's Federal Register Main 
Page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Users may also download 
an electronic copy of this document using a modem and suitable 
communications software from the GPO Electronic Bulletin Board Service 
at (202) 512-1661.

Justification for Immediate Adoption

    This final rule is ministerial in nature and relates only to agency 
management, organization, procedure, and practice. This is not a 
regulation or rule for the purposes of Executive Order No. 12866. 
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A), this rule is exempt from notice 
and comment rulemaking requirements. The changes made will have no 
substantive effect on the public; therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), 
this rule may become effective less than 30 days after publication in 
the Federal Register.

I. Background.

    Part 601 was most recently updated in 1999, when section 601.4, 
Responsibilities of the Administrator, was revised subsequent to 
passage of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. The rule was 
amended previously in 1982 when Subpart C, Public Availability of 
Information was added. Contact information and descriptions of the 
functions and duties of the offices within FTA has not been updated 
since 1976.
    With passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) on August 
10, 2005 (Pub. L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1144), Congress directed FTA to 
engage in significant rulemaking activities. To date, FTA has not 
formally outlined its procedures for rulemaking. Adopting these 
procedures gives the public knowledge of the rulemaking process and how 
to participate in that process. Part 601 will specify the procedures 
for notices of proposed rulemaking and adoption of final rules, as well 
as procedures by which FTA may expedite the processing of non-
controversial changes to its regulations. Rules that the Administrator 
of FTA judges to be unlikely to result in public comment would be 
published as direct final rules. Such direct final rules would advise 
the public that no adverse comment is anticipated and that, unless 
written adverse comment or notice of intent to submit such comment is 
received within a specified number of days, the rule will become 
effective 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. 
The rulemaking procedures adopted by FTA today are consistent with 
other DOT modal administrations' rulemaking procedures.

II. Rulemaking Overview/Summary of Rule Changes

    This rulemaking amends Subpart A to reflect changes in the 
organization of FTA and the physical relocation of many regional 
offices. It eliminates the Delegations of Authority in Subpart B. 
Subpart C, Public Availability of Information, is being moved to 
Subpart B, and the procedures are being updated. This rule provides a 
new Subpart C, Rulemaking Procedures.

III. Regulatory Process Matters

Executive Order 12866

    Since this final rule is ministerial in nature and relates only to 
agency management, organization, procedure and practice, FTA has 
determined that this action is not a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866 or under the Department's Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule merely makes administrative changes to FTA's internal 
policies and procedures, therefore, FTA certifies that this action will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    FTA has determined that the requirements of Title II of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to this rulemaking. 
There are no costs associated with this rule.

Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form for all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comments (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit 
``http://dms.dot.gov''.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 601

    Administrative Practice and Procedure, Organization and Functions 
(Government agencies), Freedom of Information.


0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Transit 
Administration revises 49 CFR Part 601 as set forth below:

PART 601--ORGANIZATION, FUNCTIONS, AND PROCEDURES

Subpart A--General
Sec.
601.1 Purpose
601.2 Organization of the Administration
601.3 General responsibilities
601.4 Responsibilities of the Administrator
Subpart B--Public Availability of Information
601.10 Sources of Information
Subpart C--Rulemaking Procedures
601.20 Applicability
601.21 Definitions.
601.22 General.
601.23 Initiation of rulemaking.

[[Page 67319]]

601.24 Contents of notices of proposed rulemaking.
601.25 Participation by interested persons.
601.26 Petitions for extension of time to comment.
601.27 Contents of written comments.
601.28 Consideration of comments received.
601.29 Additional rulemaking proceedings.
601.30 Hearings.
601.31 Adoption of final rules.
601.32 Petitions for rulemaking or exemptions.
601.33 Processing of petition.
601.34 Petitions for reconsideration.
601.35 Proceedings on petitions for reconsideration.
601.36 Procedures for direct final rulemaking.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. Sec.  552; 49 U.S.C. 5334; 49 U.S.C. 1657, 
1659; Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1968 (82 Stat. 1369); 49 CFR 
1.51.

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  601.1  Purpose.

    This part describes the organization of the Federal Transit 
Administration (``FTA''), an operating administration within the U.S. 
Department of Transportation. This part also describes general 
responsibilities of the various offices of which FTA is comprised. In 
addition, this part describes the sources and locations of available 
FTA program information, and provides information regarding FTA's 
rulemaking procedures.


Sec.  601.2  Organization of the Administration

    (a) The headquarters organization of FTA is comprised of eight 
principal offices which function under the overall direction of the 
Federal Transit Administrator (``the Administrator'') and Deputy 
Administrator. These offices are:
    (1) Office of Administration.
    (2) Office of Budget and Policy.
    (3) Office of Chief Counsel.
    (4) Office of Civil Rights.
    (5) Office of Communications and Congressional Affairs.
    (6) Office of Planning and Environment.
    (7) Office of Program Management.
    (8) Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation.
    (b) FTA has ten regional offices, each of which function under the 
overall direction of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator, and 
under the general direction of a Regional Administrator. In addition, 
FTA has established a Lower Manhattan Recovery Office, which is under 
the general direction of the Director for this office.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Region/States              Office/address        Telephone No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Connecticut, Maine,         FTA Regional               (617) 494-2055
 Massachusetts, New             Administrator,
 Hampshire, Rhode Island, and   Kendall Square, 55
 Vermont.                       Broadway, Suite 920,
                                Cambridge, MA 02142-
                                1093.
II. New York, New Jersey, and  FTA Regional               (212) 668-2170
 U.S. Virgin Islands.           Administrator, One
                                Bowling Green, Room
                                429, New York, NY
                                10014-1415.
III. Delaware, District of     FTA Regional               (215) 656-7100
 Columbia, Maryland,            Administrator, 1760
 Pennsylvania, Virginia, and    Market Street, Suite
 West Virginia.                 500, Philadelphia,
                                PA 19103-4124.
IV. Alabama, Florida,          FTA Regional               (404) 562-3500
 Georgia, Kentucky,             Administrator,
 Mississippi, North Carolina,   Atlanta Federal
 Puerto Rico, South Carolina,   Center, Suite 17T50,
 and Tennessee.                 61 Forsyth Street,
                                SW., Atlanta, GA
                                30303.
V. Illinois, Indiana,          FTA Regional               (312) 353-2789
 Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio,     Administrator, 200
 and Wisconsin.                 West Adams Street,
                                Suite 320, Chicago,
                                IL 60606.
VI. Arkansas, Louisiana, New    FTA Regional              (817) 978-0550
 Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.   Administrator, 819
                                Taylor Street, Room
                                8A36, Fort Worth, TX
                                76102.
VII. Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,   FTA Regional               (816) 329-3920
 and Nebraska.                  Administrator, 901
                                Locust Street, Suite
                                404, Kansas City, MO
                                64106.
VIII. Colorado, Montana,       FTA Regional               (720) 963-3300
 North Dakota, South Dakota,    Administrator, Dept.
 Utah, and Wyoming.             of Transportation,
                                FTA, 12300 W. Dakota
                                Ave., Suite 310,
                                Lakewood, CO 80228-
                                2583.
IX. Arizona, California,       FTA Regional               (415) 744-3133
 Hawaii, Nevada, Guam,          Administrator, 201
 American Samoa, and Northern   Mission Street,
 Mariana Islands.               Suite 310, San
                                Francisco, CA 94105.
X. Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and  FTA Regional               (206) 220-7954
 Washington.                    Administrator,
                                Jackson Federal
                                Building, 915 Second
                                Avenue, Suite 3142,
                                Seattle, WA 98174-
                                1002.
Lower Manhattan Recovery       FTA LMRO Director,         (212) 668-1770
 Office.                        One Bowling Green,
                                Room 436, New York,
                                NY 10004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  601.3  General Responsibilities.

    The general responsibilities of each of the offices which comprise 
the headquarters organization of FTA are:
    (a) Office of Administration. Directed by an Associate 
Administrator for Administration, this office develops and administers 
comprehensive programs to meet FTA's resource management and 
administrative support requirements in the following areas: 
Organization and management planning, information resources management, 
human resources, contracting and procurement, and administrative 
services.
    (b) Office of Budget and Policy. Directed by an Associate 
Administrator for Budget and Policy, this office is responsible for 
policy development and performance measurement, strategic and program 
planning, program evaluation, budgeting, and accounting. The office 
provides policy direction on legislative proposals and coordinates the 
development of regulations. The office formulates and justifies FTA 
budgets within the Department of Transportation, to the Office of 
Management and Budget, and Congress. The office establishes 
apportionments and allotments for program and administrative funds, 
ensures that all funds are expended in accordance with Administration 
and congressional intent, and prepares and coordinates statutory 
reports to Congress. The office coordinates with and supports the 
Department of Transportation Chief Financial Officer on all FTA 
accounting and financial management matters. This office also serves as 
the audit liaison in responding to the Office of the Inspector General 
and the Government Accountability Office.
    (c) Office of Chief Counsel. Directed by a Chief Counsel, this 
office provides legal advice and support to the Administrator and FTA 
management. The office is responsible for reviewing development and 
management of FTA-sponsored projects; representing the Administration 
before civil courts and administrative agencies; drafting and reviewing 
legislation and regulations to implement the Administration's programs; 
and working to ensure that the agency upholds the highest ethical 
standards. The office coordinates with and supports the U.S. Department 
of

[[Page 67320]]

Transportation's General Counsel on FTA legal matters.
    (d) The Office of Civil Rights. Directed by a Director for Civil 
Rights, this office ensures full implementation of civil rights and 
equal opportunity initiatives by all recipients of FTA assistance, and 
ensures nondiscrimination in the receipt of FTA benefits, employment, 
and business opportunities. The office advises and assists the 
Administrator and other FTA officials in ensuring compliance with 
applicable civil rights regulations, statutes and directives, including 
but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) 
participation, and Equal Employment Opportunity, within FTA and in the 
conduct of Federally-assisted public transportation projects and 
programs. The office monitors the implementation of and compliance with 
civil rights requirements, investigates complaints, conducts compliance 
reviews, and provides technical assistance to recipients of FTA 
assistance and members of the public.
    (e) Office of Communications and Congressional Affairs. Directed by 
an Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional 
Affairs, this office is the agency's lead office for media relations, 
public affairs, and Congressional relations, providing quick response 
support to the agency, the public, and Members of Congress on a daily 
basis. The office distributes information about FTA programs and 
policies to the public, the transit industry, and other interested 
parties through a variety of media. This office also coordinates the 
Administrator's public appearances and is responsible for managing 
correspondence and other information directed to and issued by the 
Administrator and Deputy Administrator.
    (f) Office of Planning and Environment. Directed by an Associate 
Administrator for Planning and Development, this office administers a 
national program of planning assistance that provides funding, 
guidance, and technical support to State and local transportation 
agencies. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration 
(FHWA), this office oversees a national program of planning assistance 
and certification of metropolitan and statewide planning organizations, 
implemented by FTA Regional Offices and FHWA Divisional Offices. The 
office provides national guidance and technical support in emphasis 
areas including planning capacity building, financial planning, transit 
oriented development, joint development, project cost estimation, 
travel demand forecasting, and other technical areas. This office also 
oversees the Federal environmental review process as it applies to 
transit projects throughout the country, including implementation of 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act, and 
related laws and regulations. The office provides national guidance and 
oversight of planning and project development for proposed major 
transit capital fixed guideway projects, commonly referred to as the 
New Starts program. In addition, this office is responsible for the 
evaluation and rating of proposed projects based on a set of statutory 
criteria, and applies these ratings as input to the Annual New Starts 
Report and funding recommendations submitted to Congress, as well as 
for FTA approval required for projects to advance into preliminary 
engineering, final design, and full funding grant agreements.
    (g) Office of Program Management. Directed by an Associate 
Administrator for Program Management, this office administers a 
national program of capital and operating assistance by managing 
financial and technical resources and by directing program 
implementation. The office coordinates all grantee directed guidance, 
in the form of circulars and other communications, develops and 
distributes procedures and program guidance to assist the field staff 
in grant program administration and fosters responsible stewardship of 
Federal transit resources by facilitating and assuring consistent grant 
development and implementation nationwide (Statutory, Formula, 
Discretionary and Earmarks). This office manages the oversight program 
for agency formula grant programs and provides national expertise and 
direction in the areas of capital construction, rolling stock, and risk 
assessment techniques. It also assists the transit industry and State 
and local authorities in providing high levels of safety and security 
for transit passengers and employees through technical assistance, 
training, public awareness, drug and alcohol testing and state safety 
oversight.
    (h) Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation. Directed by 
an Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration and Innovation, 
this office provides transit industry leadership in delivery of 
solutions that improve public transportation. The office undertakes 
research, development, and demonstration projects that help to increase 
ridership; improve capital and operating efficiencies; enhance safety 
and emergency preparedness; and better protect the environment and 
promote energy independence. The office leads FTA programmatic efforts 
under the National Research Programs (49 U.S.C. 5314).


Sec.  601.4  Responsibilities of the Administrator.

    The Administrator is responsible for the planning, direction and 
control of the activities of FTA and has authority to approve Federal 
transit grants, loans, and contracts. The Deputy Administrator is the 
``first assistant'' for purposes of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 
1998 (Pub. L. 105-277) and shall, in the event of the absence or 
disability of the Administrator, serve as the Acting Administrator, 
subject to the limitations in that Act. In the event of the absence or 
disability of both the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator, 
officials designated by the agency's internal order on succession shall 
serve as Acting Deputy Administrator and shall perform the duties of 
the Administrator, except for any non-delegable statutory and/or 
regulatory duties.

Subpart B--Public Availability of Information


Sec.  601.10  Sources of information.

    (a) FTA guidance documents. (1) Circulars and other guidance/policy 
information are available on FTA's Web site: http://www.fta.dot.gov.
    (2) Single copies of any guidance document may be obtained without 
charge by calling FTA's Administrative Services Help Desk, at (202) 
366-4865.
    (3) Single copies of any guidance document may also be obtained 
without charge upon written request to the Associate Administrator for 
Administration, Federal Transit Administration, 400 7th Street SW., 
Room 9107, Washington, DC, 20590, or to any FTA regional office listed 
in Sec.  601.2.
    (b) DOT Docket Management System. Unless a particular document says 
otherwise, the following rulemaking documents in proceedings started 
after February 1, 1997, are available for public review and copying at 
the Department of Transportation's Docket Management System, Room PL 
401, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20590, or for review and 
downloading through the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov:
    (1) Advance notices of proposed rulemaking;
    (2) Notices of proposed rulemaking;
    (3) Comments received in response to notices;
    (4) Petitions for rulemaking and reconsideration;

[[Page 67321]]

    (5) Denials of petitions for rulemaking and reconsideration; and
    (6) Final rules.
    (c) Any person may examine docketed material, at any time during 
regular business hours after the docket is established, and may obtain 
a copy of such material upon payment of a fee, except material ordered 
withheld from the public under section 552(b) of Title 5 of the United 
States Code.
    (d) Any person seeking documents not described above may submit a 
request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by following the 
procedures outlined in 49 CFR Part 7.

Subpart C--Rulemaking Procedures


Sec.  601.20  Applicability.

    This part prescribes rulemaking procedures that apply to the 
issuance, amendment and revocation of rules under an Act.


Sec.  601.21  Definitions.

    Act means statutes granting the Secretary authority to regulate 
public transportation.
    Administrator means the Federal Transit Administrator, the Deputy 
Administrator or the delegate of either of them.


Sec.  601.22  General.

    (a) Unless the Administrator, for good cause, finds a notice is 
impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and 
incorporates such a finding and a brief statement of the reasons for it 
in the rule, a notice of proposed rulemaking must be issued, and 
interested persons are invited to participate in the rulemaking 
proceedings involving rules under an Act.
    (b) For rules for which the Administrator determines that notice is 
unnecessary because no adverse public comment is anticipated, the 
direct final rulemaking procedure described in Sec.  601.36 of this 
subpart may be followed.


Sec.  601.23  Initiation of rulemaking.

    The Administrator initiates rulemaking on his/her own motion. 
However, in so doing, he/she may, in his/her discretion, consider the 
recommendations of his/her staff or other agencies of the United States 
or of other interested persons.


Sec.  601.24  Contents of notices of proposed rulemaking.

    (a) Each notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal 
Register, unless all persons subject to it are named and are personally 
served with a copy of it.
    (b) Each notice, whether published in the Federal Register or 
personally served, includes:
    (1) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the proposed 
rulemaking proceeding;
    (2) A reference to the authority under which it is issued;
    (3) A description of the subjects and issues involved or the 
substance and terms of the proposed rule;
    (4) A statement of the time within which written comments must be 
submitted; and
    (5) A statement of how and to what extent interested persons may 
participate in the proceeding.


Sec.  601.25  Participation by interested persons.

    (a) Any interested person may participate in rulemaking proceedings 
by submitting comments in writing containing information, views, or 
arguments.
    (b) In his/her discretion, the Administrator may invite any 
interested person to participate in the rulemaking procedures described 
in Sec.  601.29.


Sec.  601.26  Petitions for extension of time to comment.

    A petition for extension of the time to submit comments must be 
received not later than three (3) days before expiration of the time 
stated in the notice. The filing of the petition does not automatically 
extend the time for petitioner's comments. Such a petition is granted 
only if the petitioner shows good cause for the extension, and if the 
extension is consistent with the public interest. If an extension is 
granted, it is granted to all persons, and it is published in the 
Federal Register.


Sec.  601.27  Contents of written comments.

    All written comments must be in English and submitted in five (5) 
legible copies, unless the number of copies is specified in the notice. 
Any interested person must submit as part of his/her written comments 
all material that he/she considers relevant to any statement of fact 
made by him/her. Incorporation of material by reference is to be 
avoided. However, if such incorporation is necessary, the incorporated 
material shall be identified with respect to document and page.


Sec.  601.28  Consideration of comments received.

    All timely comments are considered before final action is taken on 
a rulemaking proposal. Late filed comments may be considered so far as 
practicable.


Sec.  601.29  Additional rulemaking proceedings.

    The Administrator may initiate any further rulemaking proceedings 
that he/she finds necessary or desirable. For example, interested 
persons may be invited to make oral arguments, to participate in 
conferences between the Administrator or his/her representative at 
which minutes of the conference are kept, to appear at informal 
hearings presided over by officials designated by the Administrator at 
which a transcript or minutes are kept, or participate in any other 
proceeding to assure informed administrative action and to protect the 
public interest.


Sec.  601.30  Hearings.

    (a) Sections 556 and 557 of Title 5, United States Code, do not 
apply to hearings held under this part. Unless otherwise specified, 
hearings held under this part are informal, non-adversary, fact-finding 
procedures at which there are no formal pleadings or adverse parties. 
Any rule issued in a case in which an informal hearing is held is not 
necessarily based exclusively on the record of the hearing.
    (b) The Administrator designates a representative to conduct any 
hearing held under this part. The Chief Counsel of the Federal Transit 
Administration designates a member of his/her staff to serve as legal 
officer at the hearing.


Sec.  601.31  Adoption of final rules.

    Final rules are prepared by representatives of the office concerned 
and the Office of Chief Counsel. The rule is then submitted to the 
Administrator for his/her consideration. If the Administrator adopts 
the rule, it is published in the Federal Register, unless all persons 
subject to it are named and are personally served a copy of it.


Sec.  601.32  Petitions for rulemaking or exemptions.

    (a) Any interested person may petition the Administrator to 
establish, amend, or repeal a rule, or for a permanent or temporary 
exemption from FTA rules as allowed by law.
    (b) Each petition filed under this section must:
    (1) Be submitted in duplicate to the Administrator, Federal Transit 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590;
    (2) State the name, street and mailing addresses, and telephone 
number of the petitioner; if the petitioner is not an individual, state 
the name, street and mailing addresses and telephone number of an 
individual designated as an agent of the petitioner for all purposes 
related to the petition;

[[Page 67322]]

    (3) Set forth the text or substance of the rule or amendment 
proposed, or of the rule from which the exemption is sought, or specify 
the rule that the petitioner seeks to have repealed, as the case may 
be;
    (4) Explain the interest of the petitioner in the action requested, 
including, in the case of a petition for an exemption, the nature and 
extent of the relief sought and a description of the persons to be 
covered by the exemption;
    (5) Contain any information and arguments available to the 
petitioner to support the action sought; and
    (6) In the case of a petition for exemption, except in cases in 
which good cause is shown, the petition must be submitted at least 120 
days before the requested effective date of the exemption.


Sec.  601.33  Processing of petitions.

    (a) Each petition received under Sec.  601.32 of this part is 
referred to the head of the office responsible for the subject matter 
of that petition. Unless the Administrator otherwise specifies, no 
public hearing, argument or other proceeding is held directly on a 
petition before its disposition under this section.
    (b) Grants. If the Administrator determines the petition contains 
adequate justification, he/she initiates rulemaking action under this 
Subpart C or grants the exemption, as the case may be.
    (c) Denials. If the Administrator determines the petition does not 
justify rulemaking or granting the exemption, he/she denies the 
petition.
    (d) Notification. Whenever the Administrator determines that a 
petition should be granted or denied, the office concerned and the 
Office of Chief Counsel prepare a notice of that grant or denial for 
issuance to the petitioner, and the Administrator issues it to the 
petitioner.


Sec.  601.34  Petitions for reconsideration.

    (a) Any interested person may petition the Administrator for 
reconsideration of a final rule issued under this part. The petition 
must be in English and submitted in duplicate to the Administrator, 
Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC, 20590, and received not later than thirty (30) days after 
publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. Petitions filed 
after that time will be considered as petitions filed under Sec.  
601.32. The petition must contain a brief statement of the complaint 
and an explanation as to why compliance with the final rule is not 
practicable, is unreasonable, or is not in the public interest.
    (b) If the petitioner requests the consideration of additional 
facts, he/she must state the reason the facts were not presented to the 
Administrator within the prescribed comment period of the rulemaking.
    (c) The Administrator does not consider repetitious petitions.
    (d) Unless the Administrator otherwise provides, the filing of a 
petition under this section does not stay the effectiveness of the 
final rule.


Sec.  601.35  Proceedings on petitions for reconsideration.

    The Administrator may grant or deny, in whole or in part, any 
petition for reconsideration without further proceedings. In the event 
he/she determines to reconsider any rule, he/she may issue a final 
decision on reconsideration without further proceedings, or he/she may 
provide such opportunity to submit comment or information and data as 
he/she deems appropriate. Whenever the Administrator determines that a 
petition should be granted or denied, he/she prepares a notice of the 
grant or denial of a petition for reconsideration and issues it to the 
petitioner. The Administrator may consolidate petitions relating to the 
same rule.


Sec.  601.36  Procedures for direct final rulemaking.

    (a) Rules the Administrator judges to be non-controversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse public comment may be published as direct 
final rules. These include non-controversial rules that:
    (1) Affect internal procedures of FTA, such as filing requirements 
and rules governing inspection and copying of documents;
    (2) Are non-substantive clarifications or corrections to existing 
rules;
    (3) Update existing forms;
    (4) Make minor changes in the substantive rule regarding statistics 
and reporting requirements;
    (5) Make changes to the rule implementing the Privacy Act; and
    (6) Adopt technical standards set by outside organizations.
    (b) The Federal Register document will state that any adverse 
comment or notice of intent to submit adverse comment must be received 
in writing by FTA within the specified time after the date of 
publication and that, if no written adverse comment or written notice 
of intent to submit adverse comment is received, the rule will become 
effective a specified number of days after the date of publication.
    (c) If no written adverse comment or written notice of intent to 
submit adverse comment is received by FTA within the specified time of 
publication in the Federal Register, FTA will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register indicating that no adverse comment was received and 
confirming that the rule will become effective on the date that was 
indicated in the direct final rule.
    (d) If FTA receives any written adverse comment or written notice 
of intent to submit adverse comment within the specified time of 
publication in the Federal Register, a notice withdrawing the direct 
final rule will be published in the final rule section of the Federal 
Register and, if FTA decides a rulemaking is warranted, a notice of 
proposed rulemaking will be published in the proposed rule section of 
the Federal Register.
    (e) An ``adverse'' comment for the purpose of this subpart means 
any comment that FTA determines is critical of the rule, suggests that 
the rule should not be adopted, or suggests a change that should be 
made in the rule. A comment suggesting that the policy or requirements 
of the rule should or should not also be extended to other Departmental 
programs outside the scope of the rule is not adverse.

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 1st day of November 2005.
Jennifer L. Dorn,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-22052 Filed 11-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P