Notice of Request for the Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the following currently approved information collection:

49 U.S.C. Section 5317—New Freedom Program

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before June 6, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods:

1. Web site: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) electronic docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments.

2. Fax: 202-493-2251.

3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to Internet users, without change, to www.regulations.gov . You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov . Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Danielle Nelson, FTA Office of Program Management (202) 366-2160, or email: danielle.nelson@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection.

Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5317—New Freedom Program

(OMB Number: 2132-0565)

Background: 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 subrecipients 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).

Respondents: State and local government, private non-profit organizations and public transportation authorities.

Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 201 hours for each of the respondents.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 119,229 hours.

Frequency: Annual.