[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61231-61232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16691]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2024-0010]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its 
implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding 
the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes

[[Page 61232]]

the information collection and its expected burden. On May 28, 2024, 
FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on 
the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
August 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting 
``Currently under Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the 
search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (571) 609-1285; or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (757) 897-9908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 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. See 44 U.S.C. 
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On May 28, 2024, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public 
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 89 FR 
46298. FRA has received no comments related to the proposed collection 
of information.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of 
information, it must provide 30 days' notice for public comment. 
Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages 
between 30 and 60 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. The 30-day notice informs the regulated community of their 
opportunity to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate 
time to consider 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.
    Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) whether 
the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of 
the information collection activities, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (3) ways 
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
being collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of information 
collection activities on the public, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Conductor Certification.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0596.
    Abstract: FRA's conductor certification regulation (49 CFR part 
242) requires railroads to have a formal program for certifying 
conductors. As part of that program, railroads are required to have a 
process for determining competency to serve as a conductor through 
training, testing, and qualifying prospective and existing conductors 
before issuing each person certification or recertification. The 
regulation is intended to ensure that only those persons who meet 
minimum Federal safety standards serve as conductors.
    FRA collects information to ensure that railroads and their 
employees fully comply with all the requirements of part 242, including 
a conductor certification/recertification program, fitness 
requirements, initial and periodic testing, and territorial 
qualifications.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).
    Form(s):
    Respondent Universe: 784.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 219,123.\1\
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    \1\ FRA has updated the Total Estimated Annual Responses (from 
220,123 to 219,123 responses) and the Total Estimated Annual Burden 
(from 46,858 to 46,608 hours) to correct an arithmetic error.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 46,608 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$4,265,843.
    FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection 
of information that does not display a currently valid OMB control 
number.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-16691 Filed 7-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P