Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of Approved Information Collections: OMB Control Numbers 2126-0010 (Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program); 2126-0011 (Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards); and 2126-0025 (Transportation of Household Goods; Consumer Protection), 67198-67200 [E6-19564]

Download as PDF 67198 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity A Federal agency cannot retaliate against an employee or applicant because that individual exercises his or her rights under any of the Federal antidiscrimination or whistleblower protection laws listed above. If you believe that you are the victim of retaliation for engaging in protected activity, you must follow, as appropriate, the procedures described in the Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower Protection Laws sections or, if applicable, the administrative or negotiated grievance procedures in order to pursue any legal remedy. Disciplinary Actions Under the existing laws, each agency retains the right, where appropriate, to discipline a Federal employee for conduct that is inconsistent with Federal Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws up to and including removal. If OSC has initiated an investigation under 5 U.S.C. 1214, however, according to 5 U.S.C. 1214(f), agencies must seek approval from the Special Counsel to discipline employees for, among other activities, engaging in prohibited retaliation. Nothing in the No FEAR Act alters existing laws or permits an agency to take unfounded disciplinary action against a Federal employee or to violate the procedural rights of a Federal employee who has been accused of discrimination. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Additional Information For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, refer to 5 CFR part 724, as well as the appropriate offices within your agency (e.g., EEO/ civil rights office, human resources office or legal office). Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination whistleblower protection and retaliation laws can be found at the EEOC Web site-https:// www.eeoc.gov and the OSC Web site— https://www.osc.gov. Existing Rights Unchanged Pursuant to section 205 of the No FEAR Act, neither the Act nor this notice creates, expands or reduces any rights otherwise available to any employee, former employee or applicant under the laws of the United States, including the provisions of law specified in 5 U.S.C. 2302(d). Dated: November 11, 2006. Harry K. Thomas, Jr., Executive Secretary, Department of State. [FR Doc. E6–19594 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–10–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 5614] Eligibility for Participation in Summer Work Travel Programs Department of State. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of State by Public Law 105–277, foreign post-secondary students participating in a cultural exchange program may be eligible to enter the United States to work and travel during their summer vacations from studies. To be eligible for participation in these programs, foreign students must be selected, screened, placed, and monitored by Departmentdesignated organizations that are authorized to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs. These programs further the public diplomacy efforts of the United States by providing participants with the opportunity to experience the United States and its people. Participation in these programs is dependent upon student status. For the purpose of determining program eligibility, designated program sponsors may select for program participation only those potential participants who are currently enrolled and participating full-time in post-secondary studies at the time of application. This certification will be published in the Federal Register. Dated: November 9, 2006. Stanley S. Colvin, Director, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, Department of State. [FR Doc. E6–19593 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–05–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2006–26304] Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of Approved Information Collections: OMB Control Numbers 2126–0010 (Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program); 2126– 0011 (Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards); and 2126–0025 (Transportation of Household Goods; Consumer Protection) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: FMCSA invites public comment on its intent to request PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise three (3) information collections (ICs), entitled ‘‘Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program’’ (2126–0010), ‘‘Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards’’ (2126–0011), and ‘‘Transportation of Household Goods; Consumer Protection’’ (2126–0025). These ICs are necessary to ensure that motor carriers comply with changes made by various provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU). We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.10. Comments must be submitted on or before January 19, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL–401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; telefax comments to 202/ 493–2251; or submit them electronically at https://dms.dot.gov. All comments should include the docket number in this notice’s heading. All comments may be examined and copied at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you desire a receipt you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard or, if you submit your comments electronically, you may print the acknowledgment. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Frederic L. Wood, Office of Chief Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Division (MC–CCR), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Room 8201, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366–0834. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information stated below reflects the proposed changes and the new total annual burden hours for each. (1) Title: Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. FMCSA IC: OMB Control No. 2126– 0010. DATES: E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices Form No.: Forms MCSAP–1, MCSAP– 2, and MCSAP–2A. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Respondents: State Grant Applicants. Number of Respondents: 52 (per quarter). Estimated Time Per Response: 80 hours. Expiration Date: November 30, 2007. Frequency: Quarterly (reports) and Annually (grant application). Total Annual Burden: 12,264 hours. (2) Title: Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards. FMCSA IC: OMB Control No. 2126– 0011. Form No.: None. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Holders of and applicants for commercial driver’s licenses. Number of Respondents: 12,523,571/ year. Estimated Time Per Response: 6 minutes. Expiration Date: April 30, 2007. Frequency: On occasion. Total Annual Burden: 1,269,856 hours. (3) Title: Transportation of Household Goods; Consumer Protection. FMCSA IC: OMB Control No. 2126– 0025. Form No.: Form MCSA–2P. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Motor Carriers and Individual Shippers of Household Goods. Number of Respondents: 6,017. Estimated Time Per Response: Varies from 5 minutes to display assigned U.S. DOT number in created advertisement to 125 minutes to distribute consumer publication. Expiration Date: August 31, 2008. Frequency: On occasion. Total Annual Burden: 4,648,370 hours. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Background Summarized below is background information for all three (3) information collection requests subject to this notice. First, the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) requires that the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) review reports submitted by the States and conduct inspections to continuously evaluate a State’s enforcement plan. Sections 401 through 404 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97–424, Jan. 6, 1983) (STAA), as amended by 49 U.S.C. 31100 et seq., established a program of financial assistance to the VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 States to implement programs to enforce Federal and compatible State rules, regulations, standards, and orders applicable to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109–59, 119 Stat. 1144, Aug. 10, 2005) (SAFETEA–LU) amended 49 U.S.C. 31102(b)(1) to modify the conditions a State must meet to qualify for grant funds through MCSAP and now requires the following conditions be addressed in the State’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan: (1) Deploying technology as part of performance-based activities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CMV safety programs; (2) disseminating as part of the CMV and non-CMV licensing examination information on best practices for driving safely in the vicinity of noncommercial and commercial motor vehicles; (3) conducting comprehensive and highly visible traffic enforcement and CMV safety inspection programs in high-risk areas; (4) ensuring that inspections of certain passenger vehicles are conducted at a station or other facility where a motor carrier may make a planned stop; and (5) allowing the use of funds to conduct documented enforcement of State traffic laws. The overall impact of these provisions increases total burden hours by an estimated 403 burden hours, chiefly as a result of non-CMV traffic enforcement activities. Second, the Commercial Driver Licensing (CDL) and Test Standards program ensures that licensed drivers are properly qualified to drive the vehicles they operate and that drivers do not have a history of high-risk safety behavior. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99– 570, Title XII, 100 Stat. 3207–170, Oct. 27, 1986), as amended by 49 U.S.C. chapter 313, required, among other things, that each driver have only one license, that States be notified of any convictions of traffic law violations, and that employers be notified within one business day of notification of suspension, revocation, or cancellation of a license or loss of the right to operate a CMV. States must comply with CDL program requirements and pass State compliance reviews, or a portion of their Federal-aid highway funds can be withheld. SAFETEA–LU made two amendments to the CDL program. Section 4102(b)(2)-(4) increased the minimum disqualification periods and civil penalties for drivers and the maximum civil penalties for employers convicted of violating an out-of-service order. Section 4124(c) modified the PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67199 State penalty for noncompliance by adding the phrase ‘‘up to’’ before the existing phrases ‘‘5 percent’’ and ‘‘10 percent,’’ respectively. This potentially reduces the penalty provisions for the first and subsequent years, respectively, for noncompliance with the Federal CDL requirements. Because of an adjustment made to reflect the net effect of an increase in the number of CDL driver records and a decrease in the number of active CDL driver records, the paperwork burden has decreased by an estimated 3,142 burden hours. This change is independent of these SAFETEA–LU provisions. Third, in the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106– 159, 113 Stat. 1749, Dec. 9, 1999) (MCSIA), Congress authorized the Agency to regulate household goods carriers engaged in interstate operations for individual shippers. In earlier legislation, Congress abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission and transferred the Commission’s jurisdiction over household goods transportation to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) (ICC Termination Act of 1995, Public Law 104–88). Prior to FMCSA’s establishment, the Secretary delegated this household goods jurisdiction to the Federal Highway Administration, FMCSA’s predecessor organization within DOT. A General Accounting Office report, ‘‘Consumer Protection: Federal Actions Are Needed to Improve Oversight of the Household Goods Moving Industry,’’ No. GAO–01–318, found that DOT needed to increase regulatory oversight of the household goods moving industry and increase consumer education. FMCSA subsequently issued rules that clarified industry requirements and continued a requirement that motor carriers provide individual shippers of household goods with the consumer pamphlet ‘‘Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move’’ (Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 375) to educate consumers on their legal rights in the moving process (70 FR 39949, July 12, 2005). Sections 4202 through 4216 of SAFETEA–LU amended various provisions of existing law regarding household goods transportation, specifically addressing: definitions (section 4202); payment of rates (section 4203); registration requirements for household goods motor carriers (section 4204); carrier operations (section 4205); enforcement of regulations (section 4206); liability of carriers under receipts and bills of lading (section 4207); arbitration requirements (section 4208); civil penalties for brokers and unauthorized transportation (section E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 67200 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices 4209); penalties for holding goods hostage (section 4210); consumer handbook (section 4211); release of broker information (section 4212); working group for Federal-State relations (section 4213); consumer complaint information (section 4214); review of liability of carriers (section 4215); and application of State laws (section 4216). These provisions require corresponding changes to the ‘‘Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move’’ consumer pamphlet. Section 4205 also requires the motor carrier to provide to the shipper a copy of the publication ‘‘Ready to Move?’’ (or its successor publication). These publications provide concise, valuable consumer protection information regarding the legal rights of individual shippers. The household goods transportation provisions of SAFETEA–LU increase total paperwork burden by an estimated 278,333 burden hours. The largest portion of this increase stems from requirements in section 4205 regarding the estimate of the transportation charges and the physical survey of the household goods. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of the information collections referenced here, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for FMCSA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The Agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. Issued on: November 9, 2006. John H. Hill, Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–19564 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2006–26367] sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Announcement of Establishment of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee; request for member nominations. AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: FMCSA announces the establishment of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee as required by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The advisory committee will provide advice and recommendations to the FMCSA Administrator on the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments of motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. This notice also solicits nominations for interested persons to serve on the advisory committee. The Administrator will appoint up to 20 members to the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee. The advisory committee will begin work in 2006. DATES: Nominations for the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee must be received on or before January 4, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Poyer, Chief, Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation Division, Office of Policy Plans and Regulation, (202) 366–6408, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Section 4144 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) (Pub. L. 109–59, August 10, 2005), requires the Secretary to establish the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments of motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. The Committee will be comprised of up to 20 members appointed by the Administrator for up to two-year terms. They will be selected from among individuals who are not employees of FMCSA and who are specially qualified to serve on the Committee based on their education, training, or experience. The members will include representatives of the motor carrier industry, safety advocates, and safety enforcement officials. Representatives of a single enumerated interest group may not constitute a majority of the Committee members. The Administrator will designate a chairman of the Committee from among the members. Committee members will not be officers or employees of the Federal Government and will serve without pay. The Administrator may allow a member, when attending PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 meetings of the Committee or a subcommittee, reimbursement of expenses authorized under Section 5703 of Title 5, United States Code and the Federal Travel Regulation, 41 CFR part 301, relating to per diem, travel and transportation. FMCSA anticipates calling Committee meetings at least four times each year (excluding the initial year). Meetings will be open to the general public, except as provided under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App 2). Notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at least 15 calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. II. Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee Charter [This Is the Text of the Charter That DOT/FMCSA Has Filed With the General Services Administration.] 1. Purpose: This charter establishes the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and provides for its operation in accordance with provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2); 41 CFR part 102–3; DOT Order 1120.3B; and Section 4144 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 109–59. The charter also sets forth the principles governing the Committee’s operation. 2. Scope and Objectives: The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. 3. Duties: The members of the Committee shall: a. attend Committee meetings; b. gather information as necessary to discuss issues presented by the Designated Federal Official (DFO); c. deliberate; and d. provide written consensus advice to the Administrator. 4. Support: The Administrator shall provide support staff for the Committee. On request of the Committee, the Administrator shall provide information, administrative services, and supplies that the Administrator considers necessary for the Committee to carry out its duties and powers. FMCSA’s Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation Division shall furnish support services for the operation of the Committee. 5. Designated Federal Officer and Sponsor: The Designated Federal Officer (DFO) for the Committee and its subcommittees is FMCSA’s Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development, or his or her designee. E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67198-67200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19564]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2006-26304]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of Approved 
Information Collections: OMB Control Numbers 2126-0010 (Motor Carrier 
Safety Assistance Program); 2126-0011 (Commercial Driver Licensing and 
Test Standards); and 2126-0025 (Transportation of Household Goods; 
Consumer Protection)

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA invites public comment on its intent to request approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise three (3) 
information collections (ICs), entitled ``Motor Carrier Safety 
Assistance Program'' (2126-0010), ``Commercial Driver Licensing and 
Test Standards'' (2126-0011), and ``Transportation of Household Goods; 
Consumer Protection'' (2126-0025). These ICs are necessary to ensure 
that motor carriers comply with changes made by various provisions of 
the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A 
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). We are required to publish this notice 
in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.10.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; telefax comments to 202/493-
2251; or submit them electronically at https://dms.dot.gov. All comments 
should include the docket number in this notice's heading. All comments 
may be examined and copied at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you desire a receipt 
you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard or, if 
you submit your comments electronically, you may print the 
acknowledgment.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Frederic L. Wood, Office of Chief 
Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Division (MC-CCR), Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Administration, Room 8201, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590; telephone (202) 366-0834. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information stated below reflects the 
proposed changes and the new total annual burden hours for each.

    (1) Title: Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.
    FMCSA IC: OMB Control No. 2126-0010.

[[Page 67199]]

    Form No.: Forms MCSAP-1, MCSAP-2, and MCSAP-2A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: State Grant Applicants.
    Number of Respondents: 52 (per quarter).
    Estimated Time Per Response: 80 hours.
    Expiration Date: November 30, 2007.
    Frequency: Quarterly (reports) and Annually (grant application).
    Total Annual Burden: 12,264 hours.

    (2) Title: Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards.
    FMCSA IC: OMB Control No. 2126-0011.
    Form No.: None.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Holders of and applicants for commercial driver's 
licenses.
    Number of Respondents: 12,523,571/year.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 6 minutes.
    Expiration Date: April 30, 2007.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Annual Burden: 1,269,856 hours.

    (3) Title: Transportation of Household Goods; Consumer Protection.
    FMCSA IC: OMB Control No. 2126-0025.
    Form No.: Form MCSA-2P.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Motor Carriers and Individual Shippers of Household 
Goods.
    Number of Respondents: 6,017.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Varies from 5 minutes to display 
assigned U.S. DOT number in created advertisement to 125 minutes to 
distribute consumer publication.
    Expiration Date: August 31, 2008.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Annual Burden: 4,648,370 hours.

Background

    Summarized below is background information for all three (3) 
information collection requests subject to this notice.
    First, the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) requires 
that the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) review reports 
submitted by the States and conduct inspections to continuously 
evaluate a State's enforcement plan. Sections 401 through 404 of the 
Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-424, Jan. 6, 
1983) (STAA), as amended by 49 U.S.C. 31100 et seq., established a 
program of financial assistance to the States to implement programs to 
enforce Federal and compatible State rules, regulations, standards, and 
orders applicable to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety. The Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy 
for Users (Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, Aug. 10, 2005) (SAFETEA-LU) 
amended 49 U.S.C. 31102(b)(1) to modify the conditions a State must 
meet to qualify for grant funds through MCSAP and now requires the 
following conditions be addressed in the State's Commercial Vehicle 
Safety Plan: (1) Deploying technology as part of performance-based 
activities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CMV safety 
programs; (2) disseminating as part of the CMV and non-CMV licensing 
examination information on best practices for driving safely in the 
vicinity of noncommercial and commercial motor vehicles; (3) conducting 
comprehensive and highly visible traffic enforcement and CMV safety 
inspection programs in high-risk areas; (4) ensuring that inspections 
of certain passenger vehicles are conducted at a station or other 
facility where a motor carrier may make a planned stop; and (5) 
allowing the use of funds to conduct documented enforcement of State 
traffic laws. The overall impact of these provisions increases total 
burden hours by an estimated 403 burden hours, chiefly as a result of 
non-CMV traffic enforcement activities.
    Second, the Commercial Driver Licensing (CDL) and Test Standards 
program ensures that licensed drivers are properly qualified to drive 
the vehicles they operate and that drivers do not have a history of 
high-risk safety behavior. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 
1986 (Pub. L. 99-570, Title XII, 100 Stat. 3207-170, Oct. 27, 1986), as 
amended by 49 U.S.C. chapter 313, required, among other things, that 
each driver have only one license, that States be notified of any 
convictions of traffic law violations, and that employers be notified 
within one business day of notification of suspension, revocation, or 
cancellation of a license or loss of the right to operate a CMV. States 
must comply with CDL program requirements and pass State compliance 
reviews, or a portion of their Federal-aid highway funds can be 
withheld. SAFETEA-LU made two amendments to the CDL program. Section 
4102(b)(2)-(4) increased the minimum disqualification periods and civil 
penalties for drivers and the maximum civil penalties for employers 
convicted of violating an out-of-service order. Section 4124(c) 
modified the State penalty for noncompliance by adding the phrase ``up 
to'' before the existing phrases ``5 percent'' and ``10 percent,'' 
respectively. This potentially reduces the penalty provisions for the 
first and subsequent years, respectively, for noncompliance with the 
Federal CDL requirements. Because of an adjustment made to reflect the 
net effect of an increase in the number of CDL driver records and a 
decrease in the number of active CDL driver records, the paperwork 
burden has decreased by an estimated 3,142 burden hours. This change is 
independent of these SAFETEA-LU provisions.
    Third, in the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 
106-159, 113 Stat. 1749, Dec. 9, 1999) (MCSIA), Congress authorized the 
Agency to regulate household goods carriers engaged in interstate 
operations for individual shippers. In earlier legislation, Congress 
abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission and transferred the 
Commission's jurisdiction over household goods transportation to the 
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) (ICC Termination Act of 1995, 
Public Law 104-88). Prior to FMCSA's establishment, the Secretary 
delegated this household goods jurisdiction to the Federal Highway 
Administration, FMCSA's predecessor organization within DOT. A General 
Accounting Office report, ``Consumer Protection: Federal Actions Are 
Needed to Improve Oversight of the Household Goods Moving Industry,'' 
No. GAO-01-318, found that DOT needed to increase regulatory oversight 
of the household goods moving industry and increase consumer education. 
FMCSA subsequently issued rules that clarified industry requirements 
and continued a requirement that motor carriers provide individual 
shippers of household goods with the consumer pamphlet ``Your Rights 
and Responsibilities When You Move'' (Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 375) to 
educate consumers on their legal rights in the moving process (70 FR 
39949, July 12, 2005).
    Sections 4202 through 4216 of SAFETEA-LU amended various provisions 
of existing law regarding household goods transportation, specifically 
addressing: definitions (section 4202); payment of rates (section 
4203); registration requirements for household goods motor carriers 
(section 4204); carrier operations (section 4205); enforcement of 
regulations (section 4206); liability of carriers under receipts and 
bills of lading (section 4207); arbitration requirements (section 
4208); civil penalties for brokers and unauthorized transportation 
(section

[[Page 67200]]

4209); penalties for holding goods hostage (section 4210); consumer 
handbook (section 4211); release of broker information (section 4212); 
working group for Federal-State relations (section 4213); consumer 
complaint information (section 4214); review of liability of carriers 
(section 4215); and application of State laws (section 4216). These 
provisions require corresponding changes to the ``Your Rights and 
Responsibilities When You Move'' consumer pamphlet. Section 4205 also 
requires the motor carrier to provide to the shipper a copy of the 
publication ``Ready to Move?'' (or its successor publication). These 
publications provide concise, valuable consumer protection information 
regarding the legal rights of individual shippers.
    The household goods transportation provisions of SAFETEA-LU 
increase total paperwork burden by an estimated 278,333 burden hours. 
The largest portion of this increase stems from requirements in section 
4205 regarding the estimate of the transportation charges and the 
physical survey of the household goods.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
the information collections referenced here, including: (1) Whether the 
proposed collection is necessary for FMCSA's performance; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the 
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. The Agency will summarize and/or include 
your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information 
collection.

    Issued on: November 9, 2006.
John H. Hill,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-19564 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.