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, 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 ICR describes the nature of the information collection and their expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 31, 2018.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before October 9, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tia Swain, Office of Administration, Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail Stop TAD-10, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-0354 or tia.swain@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, Section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On May 31, 2018, FTA published a 60-day notice (83 FR 25103) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments from this publication. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12(c).

Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30-day notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.

The summaries below describe the nature of the information collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by the PRA.

Title: Job Access and Reverse Commute Program.

OMB Control Number: 2132-0563.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, provided grants for filling gaps in employment transportation. The primary beneficiaries of this program were low-income families and families coming off welfare assistance who otherwise would have a difficult time getting to jobs and related services, such as child care and training. The program was begun in 1999 and was continued under Section 5316 of the federal transportation legislation, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), passed by Congress in 2005. The JARC program authorized two kinds of grants: Job Access grants (aimed at developing new transportation services for low-income workers and/or filling in gaps in existing services) and Reverse Commute projects (intended to provide transportation to suburban jobs from urban, rural and other suburban locations—but not necessarily just for low-income people). The JARC program was repealed under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Although the program has expired, JARC activities are eligible for funding under FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants (Section 5307) and the Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311) programs. However, funds previously authorized for the program 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.

Respondents: States and public bodies are eligible designated recipients. Eligible sub-recipients are private non-profit organizations, State or local governments, and operators of public transportation services including private operators of public transportation services.

Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 160 respondents.

Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 1,805 responses.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,971 hours.

Frequency: Annually.

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. Alternatively, comments may be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget, at the following address: oira_submissions@omb.eop.gov.

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. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.