[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10753-10754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3008]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No.: NHTSA-2005-23700]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections 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 (PRA), before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must 
solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, 
including extensions and reinstatements 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 May 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Department of 
Transportation Dockets, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 401, Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Rusnak, Office of Chief 
Counsel, NCC-113, telephone (202) 366-1834, fax (202) 366-3820, NHTSA, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, 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. 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 collection of information:
    Title: Motorcyclist Safety Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: N/A.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the 
approval date.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Affected Public: State Governments.
    Form Number: HS-217.
    Abstract: Section 2010 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), 
Pub. L. 109-59, authorizes a grant program for States that adopt and 
implement effective motorcycle safety programs. Eligibility for the 
section 2010 grants is based on 6 grant criteria: (1) Motorcycle Rider 
Training Courses; (2) Motorcyclists Awareness Program; (3) Reduction of 
Fatalities and Crashes Involving Motorcycles; (4) Impaired Driving

[[Page 10754]]

Program; (5) Reduction of Fatalities and Accidents Involving Impaired 
Motorcyclists; and (6) Fees Collected from Motorcyclists. To qualify 
for a section 2010 grant for the first fiscal year the State seeks to 
qualify, it must demonstrate compliance with at least 1 of the 6 grant 
criteria. To qualify for a section 2010 grant for the second and 
subsequent fiscal years it seeks to qualify, a State must demonstrate 
compliance with at least 2 of the 6 grant criteria.
    The information collected for this grant program is to include 
application submissions and various reporting requirements. A State 
that seeks to qualify in the first fiscal year must submit an 
application containing information demonstrating that it satisfies 1 of 
the 6 grant criteria. For the second and subsequent fiscal years that 
it seeks to qualify, a State must submit an application containing 
information demonstrating that it satisfies 2 of the 6 grant criteria.
    A State's application would identify under which of the 6 grant 
criteria it intends to qualify for a section 2010 grant. With respect 
to each of the criteria selected, the proposed rule would require 
certain supporting submissions from the State to demonstrate that it 
meets grant criteria.
    A State that receives grant funds also must indicate to NHTSA how 
it intends to expend grant funds for each fiscal year and how grant 
funds were expended each fiscal year. It is important for NHTSA to be 
notified about these activities so that it can effectively administer 
the grant program and account for the expenditure of funds. To reduce 
burdens, A State will document these activities largely by making use 
of mechanisms that have received PRA clearance for other similar 
highway safety programs. A State will first notify NHTSA of its 
obligation of funds in accordance with the applicable provisions of 
SAFETEA-LU by submitting a Program Cost Summary (HS-217), a form with 
existing PRA clearance, within 30 days of the award notification. A 
State will also report to NHTSA, as part of its annual Highway Safety 
Plan under 23 U.S.C. 402, on how it intends to expend grant funds for 
each fiscal year. This reporting requirement, however, will not be a 
significant extra burden for the States because they are already 
required by statute to submit an annual Highway Safety Plan. Finally, a 
State that receives grants funds must submit each fiscal year, as part 
of the Annual Report for its highway safety program pursuant to 23 CFR 
1200.33, a report indicating how grant funds were expended and 
identifying the programs carried out with the grant funds. Again, this 
reporting requirement will not be a significant extra burden for the 
States because they are already required by regulation to submit an 
Annual Report for their highway safety program.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1560 hours.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 (fifty States, the District of 
Columbia, and Puerto Rico).
    Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, 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: February 27, 2006.
John Donaldson,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Legislation and General Law.
[FR Doc. E6-3008 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P