Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: April 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 72)]

[Notices]

[Page 18488-18489]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr15ap98-167]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-98-3724]

Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed 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 June 15, 1998.

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, S.W., 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 10 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 Mr. Michael Robinson, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 6123, NAD-40, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr. Robinson's telephone number is (202) 366-9456. 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 proposed collections of information:

(1) Title: 23 CFR Parts 1200, 1204 and 1205 Uniform Safety Program Cost Summary Form (HS 217) for Highway Safety Plan.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0003.

Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Abstract: The Highway Safety Act of 1966 (23 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) established a formula grant program to improve highway safety in the States. As a condition of the grant, the Act provides that the States must meet certain requirements contained in 23 U.S.C.

[[Page 18489]]

402. Section 402(a) requires each State to have a highway safety program, approved by the Secretary of Transportation, which is designed to reduce traffic crashes and the deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting from those crashes. Section 402(b) sets forth the minimum requirements with which each State's highway safety program must comply. A 1987 amendment to the Highway Safety Act required the Secretary to determine, through a rulemaking process, those programs ``most effective'' in reducing crashes, injuries, and deaths, taking into account ``consideration of the States having a major role in establishing [such] programs.'' The Secretary was authorized to revise the rule from time to time. In accordance with this provision, the agencies have identified, over time, nine such programs, the ``National Priority Program areas: (1) Alcohol and other Drug Countermeasures, (2) Police Traffic Services, (3) Occupant Protection, (4) Traffic Records, (5) Emergency Medical Services, (6) Motor Safety, (7) Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, and (8) Speed Control & (9) Roadway Safety.

Under this program, States submit the Highway Safety Program and other documentation explaining how they intend to use the grant funds. In order to account for funds expended under these priority areas and other program areas, States are required to submit a Program Cost Summary. The Program Cost Summary is completed to reflect the State's proposed allocations of funds (including carry-forward funds) by program area, based on the projects and activities identified in the Highway Safety Plan. During the past several years, numerous steps have been taken to reduce the burden of paperwork on the States. The annual burden will remain low due to the minimum amount of documentation required to be provided has been substantially reduced. We have simplified this process even more by automating the Program Cost Summary.

Estimated Annual Burden: 570.

Number of Respondents: 57.

Issued on: April 7, 1998. Adele Derby, Associate Administrator for State and Community Services.

[FR Doc. 98-9931Filed4-14-98; 8:45 am]

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