Rescission of Quarterly Financial Reporting Requirements, 38211-38215 [2012-15744]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Rules and Regulations The foregoing notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507. The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents are as follows: OMB Control Number: 3060–1170. OMB Approval Date: May 16, 2012. OMB Expiration Date: May 31, 2015. Title: Section 90.209(b)(7)— Bandwidth limitations. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: New collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities. Number of Respondents and Responses: 27 respondents; 25 responses. Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 up to 8.4 hours. Frequency of Response: On occasion, third party disclosure requirement. Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Total Annual Burden: 22 hours. Total Annual Cost: $52,500. Privacy Impact Assessment: N/A. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: None. Needs and Uses: This information will be used to help ensure that 800 MHz public safety licensees are not impacted by EA-based 800 MHz SMR licensees exceeding the channel spacing and bandwidth requirement in part 90 of the Commission’s rules as modified under FCC 12–55. Pursuant to this notice, 800 MHz public safety licensees within the notice area will be able to monitor their networks for any increase in harmful interference in and around the time that an EA-based 800 MHz SMR licensee begins operations that exceed the existing channel spacing and bandwidth limitation in part 90. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012–15627 Filed 6–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES 49 CFR Part 369 [Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0020] RIN–2126–AB48 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT. AGENCY: 13:12 Jun 26, 2012 Direct final rule. By direct final rule, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) eliminates the quarterly financial reporting requirements for certain for-hire motor carriers of property (Form QFR) and forhire motor carriers of passengers (Form MP–1). This paperwork burden can be removed without an adverse impact on safety or the Agency’s ability to maintain effective commercial regulations over the for-hire trucking and passenger-carrying industries. DATES: This rule is effective August 27, 2012, unless an adverse comment, or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment, is either submitted to our online docket via https:// www.regulations.gov on or before July 27, 2012 or reaches the Docket Management Facility by that date. If an adverse comment, or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment, is received by July 27, 2012, we will withdraw this direct final rule and publish a timely notice of withdrawal in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number FMCSA– 2012–0020 using any one of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. (2) Fax: 202–493–2251. (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202–366–9329. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, email or call Ms. Vivian Oliver, Office of Research and Information Technology, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590; Telephone 202–366–2974; email Vivian.Oliver@dot.gov. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rescission of Quarterly Financial Reporting Requirements VerDate Mar<15>2010 ACTION: Jkt 226001 I. Public Participation and Comments If you would like to participate in this rulemaking, you may submit comments and related materials. All comments PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 38211 received will be posted, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. A. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (FMCSA–2012–0020), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online, or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. As a reminder, FMCSA will only consider adverse comments as defined in 49 CFR 389.39(b) and explained below. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, click on the ‘‘submit a comment’’ box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the ‘‘Document Type’’ drop down menu select ‘‘Rule’’ and insert ‘‘FMCSA– 2012–0020’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box. Click ‘‘Search,’’ then click on the balloon shape in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. B. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, click on the ‘‘read comments’’ box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the ‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘FMCSA–2012– 0020’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’ column. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may also view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. C. Privacy Act Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on E:\FR\FM\27JNR1.SGM 27JNR1 38212 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Rules and Regulations behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008 issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316). II. Regulatory Information FMCSA publishes this direct final rule under 49 CFR 389.11 and 389.39, because the Agency has determined that the rule makes non-controversial, minor amendments to 49 CFR part 369 that will reduce reporting requirements for certain for-hire motor carriers. FMCSA does not expect any adverse comments. If no adverse comments or notices of intent to submit an adverse comment are received by July 27, 2012, this rule will become effective as stated in the DATES section. In that case, approximately 30 days before the effective date, we will publish a document in the Federal Register stating that no adverse comments were received and confirming that this rule will become effective as scheduled. However, if we receive any adverse comments or notices of intent to submit an adverse comment, we will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the withdrawal of all or part of this direct final rule. If we decide to proceed with a rulemaking following receipt of any adverse comments, we will publish a separate notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and provide a new opportunity for comment. A comment is considered ‘‘adverse’’ if the comment explains why this rule or a part of this rule would be inappropriate, including a challenge to its underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. III. Background emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES Annual Financial Reporting Requirements Section 14123 of title 49, United States Code, requires the filing of annual financial reports by certain for-hire motor carriers of property and household goods (Form M). The annual reporting program was implemented on Dec. 24, 1938 (3 FR 3158) (the first annual report for 1938 was due by Mar. 31, 1939) and subsequently was transferred from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) on January 1, 1996. The Secretary of DOT delegated to BTS the responsibility for the program on December 17, 1996 (61 FR 68162–02). Responsibility for collection of Form M (for-hire property VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:12 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 carriers, including household goods carriers) and Form MP–1 (for-hire passenger carriers), including quarterly reporting requirements for such forms (Form QFR), was transferred from the BTS to the FMCSA on August 17, 2004 (69 FR 51009), and the regulations were redesignated as 49 CFR part 369 on August 10, 2006 (71 FR 45740). FMCSA has continued to collect carriers’ annual reports and to furnish copies of the reports requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Quarterly Financial Reporting Subsection 14123(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, allows the Agency to require quarterly financial reports from for-hire property and passenger carriers, but it does not mandate that the Agency require these reports to be submitted. These requirements are included in 49 CFR Part 369 and apply to Class I (average annual gross transportation operating revenues of $10 million or more) and Class II (average annual gross transportation operating revenues of $3 million dollars or more, but less than $10 million) for-hire motor carriers of property. The requirements also apply to Class I (average annual gross transportation operating revenues of $5 million or more) for-hire motor carriers of passengers. E.O. 13563 Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review On January 18, 2011, the President issued Executive Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review’’ (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011), which required agencies, among other things, to prepare plans for reviewing existing rules. On February 16, 2011, DOT published a notice requesting comments on its regulatory review plan (76 FR 8940). A public meeting on this issue was held on March 14, 2011. DOT placed all of the comments it received in docket DOT–OST–2011–0025, along with a transcript of the March 14 meeting. DOT received 102 comments, many offering multiple suggestions. One person argued that the financial reporting requirements transferred from the ICC to FMCSA provide no discernible benefits to the government or industry. FMCSA rescinds the quarterly financial reporting requirements for certain for-hire motor carriers of property (Form QFR) and for-hire motor carriers of passengers (Form MP–1). This burden can be removed without an adverse impact on safety or the Agency´s ability to maintain effective commercial regulations over the for-hire trucking and passenger-carrying industries. FMCSA does not currently PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 use the quarterly reports because the reports cover a small subset of the motor carriers of property and motor carriers of passengers that are subject to the Agency’s safety oversight and the financial reporting data is not necessary to monitor carriers’ safety performance. The information collected does not currently support any Agency regulatory function, nor does it have practical utility for the Agency or for those carriers who must comply with the reporting requirement. This direct final rulemaking is noncontroversial because it ‘‘Make[s] minor changes to rules regarding statistics and reporting requirements, such as a change in reporting period (for example, from quarterly to annually) or eliminat[es] a type of data collection no longer necessary’’ 49 CFR 389.39(a)(5). Elimination of the outdated and unnecessary quarterly reporting requirement falls squarely within the intended purpose of a direct final rule. FMCSA, therefore, finds there is good cause to dispense with the normal notice and comment procedures since reducing the reporting requirement is not likely to be controversial. Consequently, receipt of public comments prior to finalizing this action is unnecessary. 49 CFR 389.11. IV. Discussion of the Rule For the reasons discussed in the Background section, above, FMCSA amends 49 CFR part 369 by eliminating the quarterly reporting requirement under 49 CFR 369.1 and 369.4. In addition, FMCSA makes other conforming technical amendments to 49 CFR 369.8, 369.9, and 369.11. In the course of redesignating 49 CFR part 1420 as 49 CFR part 369 in 2006 (August 10, 2006, 71 FR 45740), the authority citation for part 369 was inadvertently corrupted by adding references to (1) 5 U.S.C. 553 and 559 of the Administrative Procedure Act relating to rulemaking and administrative law judges, and (2) 16 U.S.C. 1456, a provision of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972. These statutes provide no authority for part 369 and the references have therefore been removed. V. Regulatory Analyses When developing this direct final rule, FMCSA considered numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. The Agency’s analyses are summarized below. A. Regulatory Planning and Review Under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) as supplemented by E.O. 13563 (76 FR E:\FR\FM\27JNR1.SGM 27JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 3821, January 18, 2011), FMCSA must determine whether a regulatory action is ‘‘significant’’ and, therefore, subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and the requirements of the E.O. The Order defines ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ as one that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities. (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof. (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President’s priorities, or the principles set forth in the E.O. This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed it under that Order. This rule will not have a significant economic impact. In fact, elimination of the reporting requirement will, if anything, have a beneficial economic impact on industry. B. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat. 857), FMCSA is not required to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis under 5 U.S.C. 604(a) for this final rule because the agency has not issued an NPRM prior to this action. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES C. Paperwork Reduction Act This rule eliminates two quarterly reporting requirements that are currently reported to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520). Form QFR Quarterly for property carriers, authorized by OMB under information collection 2126–0033, is two pages long and takes approximately 27 minutes for each of the approximately 111 carriers to complete. This report is filed 4 times per year, so the total burden hour impact per filer per year is 4 × 27/60 = 1.8 hours. Multiplying this figure by the 111 carriers that file quarterly reports VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:12 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 yields a total burden estimate of 200 hours. FMCSA assumes that completion and submission of Form QFR is performed by an accountant designated by the business entity. The median salary of an accountant in the truck transportation industry is $25.90 per hour (BLS, May 2010).1 Two adjustments are made to this hourly compensation estimate. First, employee benefits are estimated at 50.0 percent of the employee wage.2 Second, employee wage and benefits are increased by 27 percent to include relevant firm overhead.3 Applying the estimated 50.0 percent factor for employee benefits and 27 percent for overhead results in $49.34 in hourly compensation for the accountant ($25.90 × (1 + 0.50) × (1 + 0.27) = $49.34). The total annual salary cost burden associated with the filings is $9,868 ($49.34 × 200 hours = $9,868.00). The Class I passenger carrier financial quarterly survey (MP–1 Quarterly), which is two pages long and takes about 18 minutes to complete for the estimated 2 participating carriers is authorized by OMB under information collection 2126–0031. Since this report is also filed 4 times per year, the total burden hours associated with the requirement are 4 × 18/60 × 2 = 2.4 hours. FMCSA believes the completion and submission of Form MP–1 is typically performed by a business and financial operations expert designated by the business entity because of the level of detail in the financial reports. The median salary of a business and financial operations expert in the interurban and rural bus transportation industry is $26.41 per hour (BLS, May 2010).4 Two adjustments are made to 1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‘‘Occupational Employment Survey’’. May 2010. https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_484000.htm (accessed December 15, 2011). North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 484000, Truck Transportation, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 13–2011, Accountants and Auditors. 2 FMCSA estimates this 50% employee benefit rate by using the private industry average wage ($16.03 per hour) and benefit information ($8.01 per hour) for production, transportation, and moving material workers. Benefits thus amount to 50.0 percent of wages (0.500 = $8.01/$16.03). From ‘‘Employer Costs for Employee Compensation— September 2010’’. Accessed on 23–August–2011 at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf. 3 Berwick, Farooq. ‘‘Truck Costing Model for Transportation Managers’’. Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University (2003) accessed on 23–August–2011 at https://ntl.bts.gov/lib/24000/24200/24223/ 24223.pdf. 4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‘‘Occupational Employment Survey’’. May 2010. https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_485200.htm (accessed December 15, 2011). North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 485200, PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 38213 this hourly estimate. First, employee benefits are estimated at 50.0 percent of the employee wage.5 Second, employee wage and benefits are increased by 27 percent to include relevant firm overhead.6 Applying the estimated 50.0 percent factor for employee benefits and 27 percent for overhead results in $50.31 in hourly compensation for the business and financial operations expert ($26.41 × (1 + 0.50) × (1 + 0.27) = $50.31). The total annual salary cost burden associated with the filings is $121 ($50.31 × 2.4 hours = $120.74, rounded to the nearest dollar). Collectively, eliminating these reporting requirements reduces the burden to industry by 202.4 hours and $9,989. The PRA requires that each agency ‘‘shall certify * * * that each collection of information * * * is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including that the information has practical utility.’’ 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(3)(A); 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(1)(iii). FMCSA can no longer certify that the quarterly requirements are ‘‘necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency.’’ Therefore, FMCSA is discontinuing the quarterly reporting requirements. D. Federalism A rule has federalism implications under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on the States. FMCSA has analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have federalism implications. E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 13–2000, Business and Financial Operations Occupations. 5 FMCSA estimates this 50% employee benefit rate by using the private industry average wage ($16.03 per hour) and benefit information ($8.01 per hour) for production, transportation, and moving material workers. Benefits thus amount to 50.0 percent of wages (0.500 = $8.01/$16.03). From ‘‘Employer Costs for Employee Compensation— September 2010’’. Accessed on 23–August–2011 at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf. 6 Berwick, Farooq. ‘‘Truck Costing Model for Transportation Managers’’. Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University (2003) accessed on 23–August–2011 at https://ntl.bts.gov/lib/24000/24200/24223/ 24223.pdf. E:\FR\FM\27JNR1.SGM 27JNR1 38214 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Rules and Regulations State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $143.1 million (which is the value of $100,000,000 in 2010 after adjusting for inflation) or more in any 1 year. This rule would not result in such an expenditure. F. Taking of Private Property This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights. G. Civil Justice Reform This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. H. Protection of Children FMCSA has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not economically significant and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES I. Energy Effects FMCSA has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. The Agency has determined that it is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under that order because it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866 and will not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211. J. Environment The Agency analyzed this direct final rule for the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and determined under our environmental procedures Order 5610.1, published March 1, 2004 (69 FR 9680), that this action is categorically excluded under two categorical exclusions (CEs) in the Order from further environmental documentation. These are found in Appendix 2, paragraph 4, which covers data and information gathering, and Appendix 2, paragraph 6(y)(2) concerning reports provided by motor carriers. This direct final rulemaking VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:12 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 makes minor changes to rules regarding ‘‘a change in reporting period (for example, from quarterly to annually) or eliminating a type of data collection no longer necessary,’’ as authorized by 49 CFR 389.39(a)(5). The action involves no extraordinary circumstances that would have any effect on the quality of the environment. Thus, the action does not require an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. FMCSA also analyzed this rule under the Clean Air Act, as amended (CAA), section 176(c), (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and implementing regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Approval of this action is exempt from the CAA’s general conformity requirement since it does not result in any potential increase in emissions that are above the general conformity rule’s de minimis emission threshold levels (40 CFR 93.153(c)(2)). This action merely eliminates a reporting requirement. The Categorical Exclusion Determination is available for inspection or copying in the regulations.gov Web site listed under ADDRESSES. List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 369 Motor carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. In consideration of the foregoing, FMCSA amends 49 CFR part 369 in title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter III, subchapter B, as follows: PART 369—[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 369 is revised to read as follows. ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 14123; 49 CFR 1.73. 2. Amend § 369.1, by removing paragraph (b) and redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (b) and revising it to read as follows. ■ § 369.1 Annual reports of motor carriers of property, motor carriers of household goods, and dual property carriers. * * * * * (b) Where to file report. Carriers must file the annual reports with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at the address in § 369.6. You can obtain blank copies of the report forms from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Web site https:// www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/reporting/ mcs_info.htm#fos. ■ 3. Revise § 369.4 to read as follows. § 369.4 Annual reports of Class I carriers of passengers. (a) All Class I motor carriers of passengers shall complete and file PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Motor Carrier Annual Report Form MP– 1 for Motor Carriers of Passengers (Form MP–1). (b) Accounting period. (1) Motor Carrier Annual Report Form MP–1 shall be used to file annual selected motor carrier data. (2) The annual accounting period shall be based either: (i) On the 31st day of December in each year, or (ii) An accounting year of thirteen 4-week periods ending at the close of the last 7 days of each calendar year. (3) A carrier electing to adopt an accounting year of thirteen 4-week periods shall file with the FMCSA a statement showing the day on which its accounting year will close. A subsequent change in the accounting period may not be made except by authority of the FMCSA. (c) The annual report shall be filed on or before March 31 of the year following the year to which it relates. The annual report shall be filed in duplicate with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at the address in § 369.6. Copies of Form MP–1 may be obtained from the FMCSA. ■ 4. Amend § 369.8 by revising paragraph (d) and removing the table following it, to read as follows. § 369.8 filing. Requests for exemptions from * * * * * (d) When requests are due. The timing of a request for an exemption from filing is the same as the timing for a request for an exemption from public release contained in § 369.9(d). For Annual Form M, both the report and the request are due by March 31. * * * * * ■ 5. Amend § 369.9 by removing paragraph (d)(4) and revising paragraph (e)(4) and removing the table following it, to read as follows. § 369.9 Requests for exemptions from public release. * * * * * (e) * * * (4) FMCSA will grant or deny each request no later than 90 days after the request’s due date as defined in paragraph (d) of this section. The decision by FMCSA shall be administratively final. For Annual Form M, both the report and the request are due by March 31, and the decision is due by June 30. * * * * * § 369.11 ■ [Removed] 6. Remove § 369.11. E:\FR\FM\27JNR1.SGM 27JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Rules and Regulations Issued on: June 22, 2012. Anne S. Ferro, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2012–15744 Filed 6–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 385 Change to FMCSA Policy on Calculating and Publicizing the Driver, Vehicle, and Hazardous Materials Outof-Service Rates and Crash Rates Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of amendment to enforcement policy. AGENCY: As stated in 49 CFR 385.407, in order for FMCSA to issue a hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP), a motor carrier must not have a crash rate, or driver, vehicle, or hazardous materials (HM) Out-of-Service (OOS) rate in the top 30 percentile of the national average. The current method for determining the qualifying crash and OOS rates under this rule, in effect since the inception of the HMSP program, utilizes two years of inspection data from FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) to calculate the OOS rates representing the top or worst-performing 30 percent of the national average. FMCSA has been recalculating the threshold crash and OOS rates every two years, using MCMIS data from the preceding two years. This notice of amendment explains the new methodology the Agency will begin to use to calculate the threshold crash rate and driver, vehicle, and HM OOS rates that qualify or disqualify a carrier for HMSP issuance. The revised methodology uses eight years of data from MCMIS (data from 2003 to 2010) to determine the national average for eligible crash and OOS thresholds that qualify for an HMSP. These rates will remain static rather than change every two years. The Agency decided that crash and OOS rates, which remain static over a longer period of time, will improve safety by providing a clearly identifiable standard for industry compliance and minimize the burden on motor carriers and the HM industry by allowing more appropriate measures that ensure eligibility for the HMSP. The calculations of crash and OOS rates in this notice of amendment will be emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:12 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 implemented immediately and posted to FMCSA’s Web site. These new static rates will remain in effect until further notice. DATES: Effective Date: This policy amendment becomes effective June 27, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Roxane Greene, at Roxane.Greene@dot.gov or phone (202) 366–0735; or John Hardridge, at John.Hardridge@dot.gov or or (202) 366–0811. Both staff members may be reached at Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Office of Enforcement and Program Delivery, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The HMSP requirement became effective for motor carriers as of January 1, 2005. Additionally, 49 CFR part 385, subpart E identifies which motor carriers must hold a HMSP, and establishes the application process for a HMSP. It also specifies the need for a carrier’s crash rate and driver, vehicle, and HM OOS rates to be below the 70th percentile and describes other conditions that must be satisfied to qualify for this permit. As specified in § 385.407(a)(2), FMCSA will not issue a HMSP to a motor carrier having a crash rate in the top 30 percent of the national average, or a driver, vehicle, HM, or total OOS rate in the top 30 percent of the national average, as indicated in MCMIS. The methodologies for calculating these rates are posted on the FMCSA Web site www.fmcsa.dot.gov. More conditions are set forth in § 385.407 that require a carrier to have a Satisfactory safety rating, certify that it has a satisfactory security program, and be properly registered with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The carrier also is required to submit proof of minimum levels of financial responsibility as stated in § 387.9. Pursuant to 49 CFR 390.19, a motor carrier is required to file its MCS–150 form with FMCSA every two years. The application for the HMSP was incorporated into the MCS–150 as an expanded version of the form entitled ‘‘MCS–150B or Combined Motor Carrier Identification Report and HM Permit Application.’’ Thus, the HMSP must be renewed every two years. Revision to the calculations of the crash and OOS rates will not change this requirement. On November 7, 2007, FMCSA published a Notice of Enforcement Policy (72 FR 62795) explaining the methodology used by the Agency to PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 38215 calculate those averages. The rates had been calculated using roadside inspection data in MCMIS for both HM and non-HM inspections for driver and vehicle OOS rates. For the HM OOS rate, only inspections that indicated that HM was present were used. The applicant motor carriers needed to have a least three roadside inspections indicated in MCMIS for each of the 2year rate calculation timeframes. For instance, when calculating the 2005– 2006 registration cycle rates, in order to be included in the calculation, a motor carrier would had to have at least three roadside inspections during the 2003– 2004 time period. During the course of the program, the calculated 70th percentile OOS thresholds have fluctuated causing uncertainty in the industry. It has become increasingly more difficult for a motor carrier to attain or retain a HMSP because it must maintain OOS rates below 7.14% for drivers, 33.33% for vehicles, and 3.45% for HM. These rates compare with the national averages for all motor carriers at 5.51%, 20.72%, and 4.50% respectively. A historical picture of the OOS and crash rates, data from the entire eightyear period since the inception of the program, was used in the calculations (2003–2010) for the fixed rates. This provides a balanced perspective of motor carrier performance over a longer period of time and virtually eliminates the short term fluctuations that some motor carriers experience. It is also reflective of all of the time periods used to calculate rates for the present and three former registration periods. The threshold rate calculation included only carriers that had at least 12 inspections over the 8 years previously described, making this analysis comparable to the 3-inspections-per-cycle method used in previous calculations. The main difference in the fixed-rate calculations when compared to previous 2-year calculations is that, due to the number of inspections required during the extended timeframe (12), the number of inspections with an HM OOS rate of 0.00% decreased. This resulted in raising the overall HM OOS average for the population of motor carriers used in the calculation, and while higher, it is a more appropriate indicator of placarded motor carriers’ roadside inspection HM OOS performance. In order to calculate the fixed crash rate, a MCMIS snapshot was taken on February 24, 2012. The 8-year period was divided into four 2-year periods reflecting fiscal years (FY) 2003–2004, FY 2005–2006, FY 2007–2008, and FY 2009–2010. Qualifying motor carriers had at least 2 crashes in at least one 2- E:\FR\FM\27JNR1.SGM 27JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38211-38215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15744]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 369

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0020]
RIN-2126-AB48


Rescission of Quarterly Financial Reporting Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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

SUMMARY: By direct final rule, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration (FMCSA) eliminates the quarterly financial reporting 
requirements for certain for-hire motor carriers of property (Form QFR) 
and for-hire motor carriers of passengers (Form MP-1). This paperwork 
burden can be removed without an adverse impact on safety or the 
Agency's ability to maintain effective commercial regulations over the 
for-hire trucking and passenger-carrying industries.

DATES: This rule is effective August 27, 2012, unless an adverse 
comment, or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment, is either 
submitted to our online docket via https://www.regulations.gov on or 
before July 27, 2012 or reaches the Docket Management Facility by that 
date. If an adverse comment, or notice of intent to submit an adverse 
comment, is received by July 27, 2012, we will withdraw this direct 
final rule and publish a timely notice of withdrawal in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number FMCSA-
2012-0020 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Comments'' portion of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
email or call Ms. Vivian Oliver, Office of Research and Information 
Technology, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590; Telephone 202-366-2974; email 
Vivian.Oliver@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Comments

    If you would like to participate in this rulemaking, you may submit 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted, 
without change, to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (FMCSA-2012-0020), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online, or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but please use only one of 
these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing 
address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your 
document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your 
submission. As a reminder, FMCSA will only consider adverse comments as 
defined in 49 CFR 389.39(b) and explained below.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become 
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select 
``Rule'' and insert ``FMCSA-2012-0020'' in the ``Keyword'' box. Click 
``Search,'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' column. 
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an 
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov, click on the 
``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In 
the ``Keyword'' box insert ``FMCSA-2012-0020'' and click ``Search.'' 
Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. If you do 
not have access to the Internet, you may also view the docket online by 
visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

C. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on

[[Page 38212]]

behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review 
a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 
2008 issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

II. Regulatory Information

    FMCSA publishes this direct final rule under 49 CFR 389.11 and 
389.39, because the Agency has determined that the rule makes non-
controversial, minor amendments to 49 CFR part 369 that will reduce 
reporting requirements for certain for-hire motor carriers. FMCSA does 
not expect any adverse comments. If no adverse comments or notices of 
intent to submit an adverse comment are received by July 27, 2012, this 
rule will become effective as stated in the DATES section. In that 
case, approximately 30 days before the effective date, we will publish 
a document in the Federal Register stating that no adverse comments 
were received and confirming that this rule will become effective as 
scheduled. However, if we receive any adverse comments or notices of 
intent to submit an adverse comment, we will publish a document in the 
Federal Register announcing the withdrawal of all or part of this 
direct final rule. If we decide to proceed with a rulemaking following 
receipt of any adverse comments, we will publish a separate notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and provide a new opportunity for comment.
    A comment is considered ``adverse'' if the comment explains why 
this rule or a part of this rule would be inappropriate, including a 
challenge to its underlying premise or approach, or would be 
ineffective or unacceptable without a change.

III. Background

Annual Financial Reporting Requirements

    Section 14123 of title 49, United States Code, requires the filing 
of annual financial reports by certain for-hire motor carriers of 
property and household goods (Form M).
    The annual reporting program was implemented on Dec. 24, 1938 (3 FR 
3158) (the first annual report for 1938 was due by Mar. 31, 1939) and 
subsequently was transferred from the Interstate Commerce Commission 
(ICC) to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics (BTS) on January 1, 1996. The Secretary of 
DOT delegated to BTS the responsibility for the program on December 17, 
1996 (61 FR 68162-02). Responsibility for collection of Form M (for-
hire property carriers, including household goods carriers) and Form 
MP-1 (for-hire passenger carriers), including quarterly reporting 
requirements for such forms (Form QFR), was transferred from the BTS to 
the FMCSA on August 17, 2004 (69 FR 51009), and the regulations were 
redesignated as 49 CFR part 369 on August 10, 2006 (71 FR 45740). FMCSA 
has continued to collect carriers' annual reports and to furnish copies 
of the reports requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Quarterly Financial Reporting

    Subsection 14123(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, allows the 
Agency to require quarterly financial reports from for-hire property 
and passenger carriers, but it does not mandate that the Agency require 
these reports to be submitted. These requirements are included in 49 
CFR Part 369 and apply to Class I (average annual gross transportation 
operating revenues of $10 million or more) and Class II (average annual 
gross transportation operating revenues of $3 million dollars or more, 
but less than $10 million) for-hire motor carriers of property. The 
requirements also apply to Class I (average annual gross transportation 
operating revenues of $5 million or more) for-hire motor carriers of 
passengers.
E.O. 13563 Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
    On January 18, 2011, the President issued Executive Order 13563, 
``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'' (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011), which required agencies, among other things, to prepare plans 
for reviewing existing rules. On February 16, 2011, DOT published a 
notice requesting comments on its regulatory review plan (76 FR 8940). 
A public meeting on this issue was held on March 14, 2011. DOT placed 
all of the comments it received in docket DOT-OST-2011-0025, along with 
a transcript of the March 14 meeting. DOT received 102 comments, many 
offering multiple suggestions. One person argued that the financial 
reporting requirements transferred from the ICC to FMCSA provide no 
discernible benefits to the government or industry.
    FMCSA rescinds the quarterly financial reporting requirements for 
certain for-hire motor carriers of property (Form QFR) and for-hire 
motor carriers of passengers (Form MP-1). This burden can be removed 
without an adverse impact on safety or the Agency[acute]s ability to 
maintain effective commercial regulations over the for-hire trucking 
and passenger-carrying industries. FMCSA does not currently use the 
quarterly reports because the reports cover a small subset of the motor 
carriers of property and motor carriers of passengers that are subject 
to the Agency's safety oversight and the financial reporting data is 
not necessary to monitor carriers' safety performance. The information 
collected does not currently support any Agency regulatory function, 
nor does it have practical utility for the Agency or for those carriers 
who must comply with the reporting requirement.
    This direct final rulemaking is non-controversial because it 
``Make[s] minor changes to rules regarding statistics and reporting 
requirements, such as a change in reporting period (for example, from 
quarterly to annually) or eliminat[es] a type of data collection no 
longer necessary'' 49 CFR 389.39(a)(5). Elimination of the outdated and 
unnecessary quarterly reporting requirement falls squarely within the 
intended purpose of a direct final rule. FMCSA, therefore, finds there 
is good cause to dispense with the normal notice and comment procedures 
since reducing the reporting requirement is not likely to be 
controversial. Consequently, receipt of public comments prior to 
finalizing this action is unnecessary. 49 CFR 389.11.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    For the reasons discussed in the Background section, above, FMCSA 
amends 49 CFR part 369 by eliminating the quarterly reporting 
requirement under 49 CFR 369.1 and 369.4. In addition, FMCSA makes 
other conforming technical amendments to 49 CFR 369.8, 369.9, and 
369.11.
    In the course of redesignating 49 CFR part 1420 as 49 CFR part 369 
in 2006 (August 10, 2006, 71 FR 45740), the authority citation for part 
369 was inadvertently corrupted by adding references to (1) 5 U.S.C. 
553 and 559 of the Administrative Procedure Act relating to rulemaking 
and administrative law judges, and (2) 16 U.S.C. 1456, a provision of 
the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972. These statutes provide 
no authority for part 369 and the references have therefore been 
removed.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    When developing this direct final rule, FMCSA considered numerous 
statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. The Agency's 
analyses are summarized below.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) 
as supplemented by E.O. 13563 (76 FR

[[Page 38213]]

3821, January 18, 2011), FMCSA must determine whether a regulatory 
action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) review and the requirements of the E.O. The 
Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely 
to result in a rule that may:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities.
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency.
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof.
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the E.O.
    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not 
require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 
6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
not reviewed it under that Order. This rule will not have a significant 
economic impact. In fact, elimination of the reporting requirement 
will, if anything, have a beneficial economic impact on industry.

B. Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121, 
Title II, 110 Stat. 857), FMCSA is not required to prepare a final 
regulatory flexibility analysis under 5 U.S.C. 604(a) for this final 
rule because the agency has not issued an NPRM prior to this action.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule eliminates two quarterly reporting requirements that are 
currently reported to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). Form QFR Quarterly for property carriers, 
authorized by OMB under information collection 2126-0033, is two pages 
long and takes approximately 27 minutes for each of the approximately 
111 carriers to complete. This report is filed 4 times per year, so the 
total burden hour impact per filer per year is 4 x 27/60 = 1.8 hours. 
Multiplying this figure by the 111 carriers that file quarterly reports 
yields a total burden estimate of 200 hours.
    FMCSA assumes that completion and submission of Form QFR is 
performed by an accountant designated by the business entity. The 
median salary of an accountant in the truck transportation industry is 
$25.90 per hour (BLS, May 2010).\1\ Two adjustments are made to this 
hourly compensation estimate. First, employee benefits are estimated at 
50.0 percent of the employee wage.\2\ Second, employee wage and 
benefits are increased by 27 percent to include relevant firm 
overhead.\3\ Applying the estimated 50.0 percent factor for employee 
benefits and 27 percent for overhead results in $49.34 in hourly 
compensation for the accountant ($25.90 x (1 + 0.50) x (1 + 0.27) = 
$49.34). The total annual salary cost burden associated with the 
filings is $9,868 ($49.34 x 200 hours = $9,868.00).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, ``Occupational Employment 
Survey''. May 2010. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_484000.htm (accessed December 15, 2011). North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) 484000, Truck Transportation, Standard 
Occupational Classification (SOC) 13-2011, Accountants and Auditors.
    \2\ FMCSA estimates this 50% employee benefit rate by using the 
private industry average wage ($16.03 per hour) and benefit 
information ($8.01 per hour) for production, transportation, and 
moving material workers. Benefits thus amount to 50.0 percent of 
wages (0.500 = $8.01/$16.03). From ``Employer Costs for Employee 
Compensation--September 2010''. Accessed on 23-August-2011 at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf.
    \3\ Berwick, Farooq. ``Truck Costing Model for Transportation 
Managers''. Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North 
Dakota State University (2003) accessed on 23-August-2011 at https://ntl.bts.gov/lib/24000/24200/24223/24223.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Class I passenger carrier financial quarterly survey (MP-1 
Quarterly), which is two pages long and takes about 18 minutes to 
complete for the estimated 2 participating carriers is authorized by 
OMB under information collection 2126-0031. Since this report is also 
filed 4 times per year, the total burden hours associated with the 
requirement are 4 x 18/60 x 2 = 2.4 hours.
    FMCSA believes the completion and submission of Form MP-1 is 
typically performed by a business and financial operations expert 
designated by the business entity because of the level of detail in the 
financial reports. The median salary of a business and financial 
operations expert in the interurban and rural bus transportation 
industry is $26.41 per hour (BLS, May 2010).\4\ Two adjustments are 
made to this hourly estimate. First, employee benefits are estimated at 
50.0 percent of the employee wage.\5\ Second, employee wage and 
benefits are increased by 27 percent to include relevant firm 
overhead.\6\ Applying the estimated 50.0 percent factor for employee 
benefits and 27 percent for overhead results in $50.31 in hourly 
compensation for the business and financial operations expert ($26.41 x 
(1 + 0.50) x (1 + 0.27) = $50.31). The total annual salary cost burden 
associated with the filings is $121 ($50.31 x 2.4 hours = $120.74, 
rounded to the nearest dollar).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, ``Occupational Employment 
Survey''. May 2010. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_485200.htm (accessed December 15, 2011). North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) 485200, Interurban and Rural Bus 
Transportation, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 13-2000, 
Business and Financial Operations Occupations.
    \5\ FMCSA estimates this 50% employee benefit rate by using the 
private industry average wage ($16.03 per hour) and benefit 
information ($8.01 per hour) for production, transportation, and 
moving material workers. Benefits thus amount to 50.0 percent of 
wages (0.500 = $8.01/$16.03). From ``Employer Costs for Employee 
Compensation--September 2010''. Accessed on 23-August-2011 at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf.
    \6\ Berwick, Farooq. ``Truck Costing Model for Transportation 
Managers''. Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North 
Dakota State University (2003) accessed on 23-August-2011 at https://ntl.bts.gov/lib/24000/24200/24223/24223.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Collectively, eliminating these reporting requirements reduces the 
burden to industry by 202.4 hours and $9,989.
    The PRA requires that each agency ``shall certify * * * that each 
collection of information * * * is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including that the information has 
practical utility.'' 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(3)(A); 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(1)(iii). 
FMCSA can no longer certify that the quarterly requirements are 
``necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
agency.'' Therefore, FMCSA is discontinuing the quarterly reporting 
requirements.

D. Federalism

    A rule has federalism implications under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on the States. FMCSA has analyzed this rule 
under that Order and have determined that it does not have federalism 
implications.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a

[[Page 38214]]

State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector of $143.1 million (which is the value of $100,000,000 in 2010 
after adjusting for inflation) or more in any 1 year. This rule would 
not result in such an expenditure.

F. Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

G. Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

H. Protection of Children

    FMCSA has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not economically significant and does not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

I. Energy Effects

    FMCSA has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. The Agency has determined that it is not a 
``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and will 
not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or 
use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

J. Environment

    The Agency analyzed this direct final rule for the purpose of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.) and determined under our environmental procedures Order 5610.1, 
published March 1, 2004 (69 FR 9680), that this action is categorically 
excluded under two categorical exclusions (CEs) in the Order from 
further environmental documentation. These are found in Appendix 2, 
paragraph 4, which covers data and information gathering, and Appendix 
2, paragraph 6(y)(2) concerning reports provided by motor carriers. 
This direct final rulemaking makes minor changes to rules regarding ``a 
change in reporting period (for example, from quarterly to annually) or 
eliminating a type of data collection no longer necessary,'' as 
authorized by 49 CFR 389.39(a)(5). The action involves no extraordinary 
circumstances that would have any effect on the quality of the 
environment. Thus, the action does not require an environmental 
assessment or an environmental impact statement.
    FMCSA also analyzed this rule under the Clean Air Act, as amended 
(CAA), section 176(c), (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and implementing 
regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. 
Approval of this action is exempt from the CAA's general conformity 
requirement since it does not result in any potential increase in 
emissions that are above the general conformity rule's de minimis 
emission threshold levels (40 CFR 93.153(c)(2)). This action merely 
eliminates a reporting requirement.
    The Categorical Exclusion Determination is available for inspection 
or copying in the regulations.gov Web site listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 369

    Motor carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, FMCSA amends 49 CFR part 369 in 
title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter III, subchapter B, as 
follows:

PART 369--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 369 is revised to read as follows.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 14123; 49 CFR 1.73.


0
2. Amend Sec.  369.1, by removing paragraph (b) and redesignating 
paragraph (c) as paragraph (b) and revising it to read as follows.


Sec.  369.1  Annual reports of motor carriers of property, motor 
carriers of household goods, and dual property carriers.

* * * * *
    (b) Where to file report. Carriers must file the annual reports 
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at the address in 
Sec.  369.6. You can obtain blank copies of the report forms from the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Web site https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/reporting/mcs_info.htm#fos.

0
3. Revise Sec.  369.4 to read as follows.


Sec.  369.4  Annual reports of Class I carriers of passengers.

    (a) All Class I motor carriers of passengers shall complete and 
file Motor Carrier Annual Report Form MP-1 for Motor Carriers of 
Passengers (Form MP-1).
    (b) Accounting period. (1) Motor Carrier Annual Report Form MP-1 
shall be used to file annual selected motor carrier data.
    (2) The annual accounting period shall be based either:
    (i) On the 31st day of December in each year, or
    (ii) An accounting year of thirteen 4-week periods ending at the 
close of the last 7 days of each calendar year.
    (3) A carrier electing to adopt an accounting year of thirteen 4-
week periods shall file with the FMCSA a statement showing the day on 
which its accounting year will close. A subsequent change in the 
accounting period may not be made except by authority of the FMCSA.
    (c) The annual report shall be filed on or before March 31 of the 
year following the year to which it relates. The annual report shall be 
filed in duplicate with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
at the address in Sec.  369.6. Copies of Form MP-1 may be obtained from 
the FMCSA.

0
4. Amend Sec.  369.8 by revising paragraph (d) and removing the table 
following it, to read as follows.


Sec.  369.8  Requests for exemptions from filing.

* * * * *
    (d) When requests are due. The timing of a request for an exemption 
from filing is the same as the timing for a request for an exemption 
from public release contained in Sec.  369.9(d). For Annual Form M, 
both the report and the request are due by March 31.
* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  369.9 by removing paragraph (d)(4) and revising 
paragraph (e)(4) and removing the table following it, to read as 
follows.


Sec.  369.9  Requests for exemptions from public release.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) FMCSA will grant or deny each request no later than 90 days 
after the request's due date as defined in paragraph (d) of this 
section. The decision by FMCSA shall be administratively final. For 
Annual Form M, both the report and the request are due by March 31, and 
the decision is due by June 30.
* * * * *


Sec.  369.11  [Removed]

0
6. Remove Sec.  369.11.


[[Page 38215]]


    Issued on: June 22, 2012.
Anne S. Ferro,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-15744 Filed 6-26-12; 8:45 am]
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