Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Request for public comment on an extension of a currently approved collection.

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 November 29, 2004.

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, SW., Washington, DC 20590 by any of the following methods.

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Agency Web Site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the Docket Management System.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
• Mail: Dockets, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Plaza Level Room 401, (PL #401), of Nassif Building, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, telephone: 1-800-647-5527.

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 Carlita Ballard, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-131, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Ballard's telephone number is (202) 366-0846. 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; and

(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:

Title: Procedures for Selecting Lines to be Covered by the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR 542).

OMB Control Number: 2127-0539.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard forms.

Abstract: The Anti Car Theft Act of 1992 amended the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-547) and requires this collection of information. One component of the theft prevention legislation required the Secretary of Transportation (delegated to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)) to promulgate a theft prevention standard for the designation of high-theft vehicle lines. Provisions delineating the information collection requirements include § 33104, which requires NHTSA to promulgate a rule for the identification of major component parts for vehicles having or expected to have a theft rate above the median rate for all new passenger motor vehicles sold in the United States, as well as with major component parts that are interchangeable with those having high-theft rates.

The specific lines and parts to be identified are to be selected by agreement between the manufacturer and the agency. If there is a disagreement of the selection, the statute states that the agency shall select such lines and parts, after notice to the manufacturer and an opportunity for written comment.

In a final rule published on April 6, 2004, the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard was extended to include all passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less, and to light duty trucks with major parts that are interchangeable with a majority of the covered major parts of multipurpose passenger vehicles. The final rule becomes effective September 1, 2006.

Estimated Annual Burden: 40.

Number of Respondents: 7.