Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Request for public comment on a previously approved collection of information.

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 December 30, 2002.

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. 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 9 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 Ms. Carlita Ballard, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Ballard's telephone number is (202 366-0307). 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;

(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 previously approved collection of information:

Title: Insurer Reporting Requirement for 49 CFR Part 544.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0547.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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

Abstract: This information collection supports the Department's strategic goal of Economic Growth and Trade. The Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984, added Title VI to the Motor Vehicle and Information Cost Savings Act (recodified as chapter 331 of Title 49, United States Code) (copy attached) which mandated this information collection. The 1984 Theft act was amended by the Anti Car Theft Act (ACTA) of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-519). NHTSA is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 33112, to collect this information. This information collection supports the agency's economic growth and trade goal through rulemaking implementation developed to help reduce the cost of vehicle ownership by reducing the cost of comprehensive insurance coverage. 49 U.S.C. 33112 requires certain passenger motor vehicle insurance companies and rental/leasing companies to provide information to NHTSA on comprehensive insurance premiums, theft and recoveries and actions taken to address motor vehicle theft.

Estimated Annual Burden: Based on prior years' insurer compilation information, the agency estimates that the time to review and compile information for the reports will take approximately a total of 66,300 burden hours (56,700 man-hours for 28 insurance companies and 9,600 man-hours for 17 rental and leasing companies). Most recent year insurer compilation information estimates that it takes an average cost of $36.00 per hour for clerical and technical staff to prepare the annual reports. Therefore, the agency estimates the total cost associated with the burden hours to be $2,386,800.

The burden hour for rental and leasing companies is significantly less than that for insurance companies because rental and leasing companies comply with fewer reporting requirements than the insurance companies. The reporting burden is based on claim adjusters' salaries, clerical and technical expenses, and labor costs.

Number of Respondents: 45.

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.