Transportation Equity Act for 21st Century; implementation: Engineering services; State transportation departments; administrative costs eligibility,
[Federal Register: November 23, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 226)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 58665-58667]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23no01-4]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
RIN 2125-AE73
Engineering Services
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This document amends the regulation for engineering services by removing a sentence that defined expenditures for the establishment, maintenance, general administration, supervision, and other overhead of the State highway department, or other instrumentality or entity referred to in the regulation, as ineligible for Federal participation. This amendment to the regulation stems from a provision in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) that changed statutory requirements to allow for eligibility of administrative costs for State transportation departments.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective December 24, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Max Inman, Federal-aid Financial Management Division, (202) 366-2853 or Mr. Steve Rochlis, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1395, Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service (202) 512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's homepage at http:/ /www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
Background
Prior to the TEA-21 (Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107 (1998), expenditures for the establishment, maintenance, general administration, supervision, and other overhead of the State highway department, or other instrumentality or entity referred to in paragraph (b) of 23 CFR 1.11, were not eligible for Federal participation. Section 302 of title 23, U.S. Code, requires a State to have a functioning transportation department as a condition for receiving Federal-aid highway funds. The FHWA has interpreted this provision, in accordance with legislative intent, to mean that the costs of operating the State transportation department were not eligible for Federal highway funds. This policy was inconsistent with general government policy issued in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A- 87 \1\ which allows Federal participation in a State's indirect or overhead costs.
\1\ OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, is available at the following URL: http:/ /www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars.
Section 1212 (a) of the TEA-21 amended section 302, clarifying that the requirement to maintain a suitably equipped and organized transportation department did not effect a State's eligibility to be reimbursed for costs (including costs for indirect rates).
The purpose for this statutory change was to provide for a consistent policy for cost reimbursement, specifically among Federal transportation agencies.
Therefore, the FHWA is amending the regulation for engineering services. In 23 CFR 1.11 (a), the first paragraph is amended by removing the last sentence of the paragraph, ``Expenditures for the
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establishment, maintenance, general administration, supervision, and other overhead of the State highway department, or other instrumentality or entity referred to in paragraph (b) of this section shall not be eligible for Federal participation.''
Discussion of Comments
The Federal Highway Administration did not receive any comments to the docket of the notice of proposed rulemaking published on July 26, 2000, at 65 FR 45941.
Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
This final rule makes only minor technical corrections to our existing regulation. The rule amends outdated statutory language that stems from a provision in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) that changed statutory requirements to allow for eligibility of administrative costs for State transportation departments. As a result of the revised statutory requirements, the FHWA is amending its regulation at 23 CFR 1.11 (a) to reflect that costs of engineering services performed by the State highway department may be eligible for Federal participation to the extent that such costs are directly attributable to specific projects.
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
The FHWA has considered the impact of this action and has determined that it is not a significant rulemaking action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 or significant within the meaning of the U.S. Department of Transportation regulatory policies and procedures. Since this action merely amends a regulation it is anticipated that its economic impact is minimal, therefore, a full regulatory evaluation is not required.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601- 612), the FHWA has evaluated the effects of this action on small entities. Based on the evaluation and the fact that this rulemaking action merely removes an outdated regulation, the FHWA hereby certifies that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This action does not impose a Federal mandate resulting in the expenditure by State, local, tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the sector, of $100 million or more in any year. (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)
This action meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children)
We have analyzed this action under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This action is not economically significant and does not concern an environmental risk to health of safety that may disproportionately affect children.
Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property)
This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132 dated August 4, 1999, and it has been determined that this action does not have a substantial direct effect or sufficient federalism implications on States that would limit policymaking discretion of the States. Nothing in this document directly preempts any State law or regulation.
Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)
Catalog of Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation of Federal programs and activities apply to this program.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not create a collection of information requirement for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
National Environmental Policy Act
The FHWA has analyzed this action for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and has determined that it would not have any effect on the quality of the environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement is not required.
Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)
The FHWA has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13175, dated November 6, 2000, and believes that the proposed action will not have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes; will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments; and will not preempt tribal law. Therefore, a tribal summary impact statement is not required.
Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects)
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a significant energy action under that order because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Therefore, a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211 is not required.
Regulatory Identification Number
A regulation identification number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the heading of this document can be used to cross-reference this action with the Unified Agenda.
List of Subjects in 23 CFR Part 1
Administration, Conflicts of interest, Engineering services, Grant programs-transportation, Highways and roads, Rights-of-way.
Issued on: November 13, 2001. Mary E. Peters, Federal Highway Administrator.
In consideration of the foregoing, the FHWA amends, title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, part 1, as set forth below.
PART 1--[AMENDED]
-
The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48 (b).
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Revise Sec. 1.11 (a) to read as follows:
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Sec. 1.11 Engineering services.
(a) Federal participation. Costs of engineering services performed by the State highway department or any instrumentality or entity referred to in paragraph (b) of this section may be eligible for Federal participation only to the extent that such costs are directly attributable and properly allocable to specific projects. * * * * *
[FR Doc. 01-29258Filed11-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
