[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33956-33957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11196]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD


30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of 
Collection: Arbitration ``Opt-In'' Notices

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent 
to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an 
extension of the collection of Arbitration ``Opt-in'' Notices, 
described below.

DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by 
June 26, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration `Opt-In' Notices.'' Written 
comments for the proposed information collection should be submitted 
via www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. This information collection can 
be accessed by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public 
Comments'' or by using the search function. As an alternative, written 
comments may be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Michael J. McManus, 
Surface Transportation Board Desk Officer: via email at 
[email protected]; by fax at (202) 395-1743; or by mail to 
Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503.
    Please also direct all comments to Chris Oehrle, PRA Officer, 
Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-
0001, or to [email protected]. When submitting comments, please refer to 
``Paperwork

[[Page 33957]]

Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration `Opt-In' Notices.'' For further 
information regarding this collection, contact Mike Higgins at (866) 
254-1792 (toll-free) or 202-245-0238, or by emailing [email protected]. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board previously published a notice 
about this collection in the Federal Register (88 FR 16515 (Mar. 17, 
2023)). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment 
period. No comments were received.
    Comments are requested concerning each collection as to (1) whether 
the particular collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the 
collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's 
burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be included and 
summarized in the Board's request for OMB approval.

Description of Collection

    Title: Arbitration ``Opt-in'' Notices.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0020.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: All regulated rail carriers.
    Number of Respondents: One (Since the ``opt-in'' notice was 
initiated ten years ago, only a limited number of notices have been 
filed. Staff estimates that one notice will be filed per year.)
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 0.5 hours.
    Total ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost: None identified. Filings are 
submitted electronically to the Board.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1108.3, rail carriers subject to the 
Board's jurisdiction may agree to participate in the Board's 
arbitration program by filing a notice with the Board to ``opt in.'' 
Once a rail carrier is participating in the Board's arbitration 
program, it may discontinue its participation only by filing a notice 
to ``opt out'' with the Board, which would become effective 90 days 
after its filing.
    Under the PRA, a Federal agency that conducts or sponsors a 
collection of information must display a currently valid OMB control 
number. A collection of information, which is defined in 44 U.S.C. 
3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c), includes agency requirements that persons 
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to the agency, 
third parties, or the public. Section 3507(b) of the PRA requires, 
concurrent with an agency's submitting a collection to OMB for 
approval, a 30-day notice and comment period through publication in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, 
including each proposed extension of an existing collection of 
information.

    Dated: May 22, 2023.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-11196 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P