Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burdens.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tia Swain, Office of Administration, Office of Management Planning, (202) 366-0354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

49 U.S.C. Section 5317—New Freedom Program (OMB Number 2132-0565)

Abstract: The purpose of the New Freedom program was to make grants available to assist states and designated recipients to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The New Freedom program was repealed in 2012 with the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). However, funds previously authorized for programs repealed by MAP-21 remain available for their originally authorized purposes until the period of availability expires, the funds are fully expended, the funds are rescinded by Congress, or the funds are otherwise reallocated. To meet program oversight responsibilities, FTA must continue to collect information until the period of availability expires, the funds are fully expended, the funds are rescinded by Congress, or the funds are otherwise reallocated. Grant recipients are required to make information available to the public and to publish a program of projects which identifies the sub-recipients and projects for which the State or designated recipient is applying for financial assistance. FTA uses the information to monitor the grantees' progress in implementing and completing project activities. FTA collects performance information annually from designated recipients in rural areas, small urbanized areas, other direct recipients for small urbanized areas, and designated recipients in urbanized areas of 200,000 persons or greater. FTA collects milestone and financial status reports from designated recipients in large urbanized areas on a quarterly basis. The information submitted ensures FTA's compliance with applicable federal laws and OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements (Super Circular). The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments for the 49 U.S.C. Sections 5317—New Freedom Program was published on April 5, 2016 (Vol. 81, No. 65) pages 19710-1971). No comments were received from that notice.

Estimated Total Burden: 14,640 hours.

ADDRESSES:

All written comments must refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk Officer.

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.