State Inspection Programs for Passenger-Carrier Vehicles, 24769-24772 [2016-09846]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). Provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply to this proceeding. Members of the public should note that from the time a Notice of Proposed Rule Making is issued until the matter is no longer subject to Commission consideration or court review, all ex parte contacts (other than ex parte presentations exempt under 47 CFR 1.1204(a)) are prohibited in Commission proceedings, such as this one, which involve channel allotments. See 47 CFR 1.1208 for rules governing restricted proceedings. For information regarding proper filing procedures for comments, see 47 CFR 1.415 and 1.420. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 Television. Federal Communications Commission. Thomas Horan, Chief of Staff, Media Bureau. Proposed Rules For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 73 as follows: PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES 1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336, and 339. § 73.622 [Amended] 2. Section 73.622(i), the PostTransition Table of DTV Allotments under Georiga is amended by adding channel 22 and removing channel 51 at Cordele. ■ [FR Doc. 2016–09830 Filed 4–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 350 I. Public Participation and Request for Comments A. Submitting Comments B. Viewing Comments and Documents C. Privacy Act II. Legal Basis for the Rulemaking III. Background IV. Questions [Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0470] jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS RIN 2126–AB84 State Inspection Programs for Passenger-Carrier Vehicles Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM). AGENCY: I. Public Participation and Request for Comments FMCSA announces that it is considering a rulemaking that would SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Apr 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 require the States to establish a program for annual inspections of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) designed or used to transport passengers (or, passengercarrying CMVs). FMCSA plans to assess the risks associated with improperly maintained or inspected passengercarrying CMVs by reviewing the effectiveness of existing Federal inspection standards that are applicable to these types of vehicles, and considering the costs and benefits of having a mandatory inspection program. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 27, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA– 2014–0470 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: 202–493–2251. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Loretta Bitner, Chief, Passenger Carrier Division at 202–385–2428, or via email at Loretta.Bitner@dot.gov, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) is organized as follows: A. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24769 ANPRM (Docket No. FMCSA–2014– 0470), 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. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, put the docket number, FMCSA–2014–0470, in the keyword box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen appears, click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box on the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. 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 comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may develop a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) based on your comments and other information and analysis. B. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket number, FMCSA–2014–0470, in the keyword box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ button and choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT 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 In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in E:\FR\FM\27APP1.SGM 27APP1 24770 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. II. Legal Basis for the Rulemaking Section 32710 of Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012, enacted as part of MAP–21, requires that the Secretary of Transportation complete a rulemaking proceeding to consider requiring States to establish a program for annual inspections of vehicles designed or used to transport passengers (Pub. L. 112–141). As part of this proceeding, FMCSA must assess: (1) The risks associated with improperly maintained or inspected CMVs designed or used to transport passengers; (2) the effectiveness of existing Federal inspection standards in mitigating the risks associated with improperly maintained vehicles and ensuring safe and proper operation; and (3) the costs and benefits of a mandatory inspection program. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS III. Background Section 210 of the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 required the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe standards for the inspection of CMVs. See 49 U.S.C. 31142. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), a CMV, including qualifying passenger vehicles,1 must be inspected at least once every 12 months. See 49 CFR 396.17. Subject to exceptions under § 396.23, a motor carrier must either conduct the inspection using its own qualified personnel or use a qualified third party that maintains appropriate facilities and employs inspectors qualified under § 396.19. In lieu of conducting a self-inspection or relying on a third-party inspector under § 396.17, a motor carrier may satisfy the FMCSR annual inspection requirement through a State or other jurisdiction’s inspection program in accordance with § 396.23(a), provided that the inspection satisfies regulatory requirements. However, in those States that have a mandatory State inspection requirement that the FMCSA Administrator has determined to be as effective as inspections under § 396.17, a motor carrier may rely on the State inspection 1 A CMV is defined, in part, for purposes of this regulation as a ‘‘motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers . . . when the vehicle—(1) [h]as a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or (2) [i]s designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or (3) [i]s designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation . . .’’ 49 CFR 390.5. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Apr 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 process in order to satisfy the annual inspection requirement. 49 CFR 396.23(b)(1). A State inspection under this provision might be conducted by State personnel, at a State-authorized commercial facility, or by the motor carrier under the auspices of a Stateauthorized self-inspection program. Id. According to the latest list published by FMCSA, 22 States are among the governmental entities that have mandatory inspections programs recognized by the FMCSA Administrator. 73 FR 63040 (October 22, 2008).2 In 2012, Congress enacted legislation requiring the Secretary of Transportation to complete a rulemaking proceeding to consider requiring States to establish an annual inspection program as discussed under the Legal Basis section, above. Subsequently, FMCSA conducted three public listening sessions that provided interested parties with the opportunity to share their views on the merits of requiring State inspections of passenger CMVs.3 Transcripts of these sessions are available in the public docket noted above. Stakeholders’ presentations proved valuable in developing the questions posed in today’s ANPRM. While the Agency received a broad range of comments, recurring themes included the costs of mandatory inspection programs, the value of a nation-wide uniform inspection standard, and the need for national training of inspectors to eliminate inconsistencies in how inspection standards are applied. Both industry and the enforcement community identified concerns about the cost of the inspection programs. Stakeholders’ estimates of costs for program administration and individual inspections varied significantly. Industry stakeholders expressed 2 At the time of publication, the list of State inspection programs determined comparable to, or as effective as, the FMCSA periodic inspection program included California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Other jurisdictions and agencies with approved programs are the District of Columbia, the Alabama LPG Board, the 10 Canadian Provinces, and the Yukon Territory. However FMCSA does not collect inspection data on passenger CMVs that are not subject to FMCSAs regulatory authority. 3 The listening sessions were conducted at the American Bus Association Marketplace in St. Louis, Missouri on January 13, 2015, a United Motor Coach Association meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 18, 2015, and a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance workshop in Jacksonville, Florida on April 14, 2015. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 concern about inconsistent inspections under existing programs. Section 32710 of MAP–21 did not address the Agency’s authority to require mandatory State inspection programs. While Congress has granted the Secretary broad regulatory authority over the interstate operation of CMVs, under Federalism principles and the 10th Amendment, the Federal government may not compel the States to enact or administer a Federal regulatory program (New York v. United States, 505 U.S. 144, 188 (1992)), or compel State officers to administer or enforce a Federal regulatory program (Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898, 935 (1997)). Thus, FMCSA assumes Congress intended that State participation would be required as a condition of receiving Federal funds. See, e.g., South Dakota v. Dole, 483 U.S. 203, 206–207 (1987). However, Congress neither established a new financial assistance program for funding State inspection programs nor specified what existing financial assistance program FMCSA might employ to incentivize States to adopt inspection programs. Thus, in posing its final question below, the Agency is seeking its State partners’ views on how to implement and incentivize a required State inspection program, should the Agency propose such a program. IV. Questions FMCSA is considering a rulemaking under which States would establish a program for annual inspections of CMVs designed or used to transport passengers. The Agency will use information gathered through this ANPRM to quantify the economic benefits and costs of this action if it issues an NPRM. The Agency encourages parties with knowledge of the industry to provide information about the impact that such a rule would have on current regulations, operating costs, business practices, safety, and any other areas that would be affected by a rule requiring States to establish inspection programs. FMCSA also requests responses to the following issues and questions. Again, whenever possible, commenters should provide data. FMCSA also encourages stakeholders to describe any applicable regulatory inspection process under which they operate. FMCSA recognizes that an individual commenter may choose to respond to all of the issues or only a subset, based on his or her interest or area of expertise. E:\FR\FM\27APP1.SGM 27APP1 jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules Existing State Mandatory Vehicle Inspection Programs for PassengerCarrying Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) 1. Does your State or the States in which you register your passengercarrying CMV conduct mandatory inspections of such vehicles? Please indicate the State(s) in which your passenger-carrying CMVs are registered. 2. What vehicle types are included in the mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspection program (e.g., motorcoaches, school buses, mini-buses, 9–15 passenger vans, etc.) and which are not included? 3. If your State has a mandatory program, briefly describe your inspection procedures and indicate which vehicle components are inspected. 4. How many total inspections are performed by your State annually for each of the following types of vehicles? a. Motorcoaches b. School buses c. Mini-buses d. 9–15 passenger vans e. Other 5. What is the estimated time required to complete each vehicle inspection? 6. What procedures are used to record the vehicle inspection? 7. If a vehicle does not pass an inspection, who addresses the issues? If it is done by someone other than the inspecting entity, is there a second inspection after the issues are addressed? On average, how many follow up inspections does it take to pass a vehicle? 8. Are mandatory vehicle inspections performed by State employees, by thirdparty inspectors authorized by the State, or by passenger carrier employees through a State-authorized selfinspection program? 9. If vehicle inspections are conducted by a State-authorized third party or by passenger-carrier employees authorized by the State, are there differences in safety outcomes between those conducted by State employees and those conducted by third-party inspectors or through a passenger carrier’s State-authorized self-inspection facilities? 10. Are there any specific benefits or concerns related to using third-party inspectors or by others? 11. If inspections are conducted by third-party inspectors or by passenger carrier-employed mechanics or technicians, what oversight is or should be required? 12. Should self-inspection or thirdparty inspections be options for compliance with a mandatory State inspection? VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Apr 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 13. How does/would the cost of inspections differ between those conducted by State employees or by third-party inspectors? 14. What might be other preferable options? Measuring Effectiveness of Inspection Programs 15. Does your State have information on violations discovered during inspections that are attributable to maintenance issues that should have been found during a required vehicle inspection? 16. Has your State considered implementing a mandatory passengercarrying CMV inspection program, but declined to do so? If so, what are your State’s reasons for not implementing a program? 17. If your State imposes mandatory inspection of passenger-carrying CMVs, how is the effectiveness of that program measured? 18. What are the most common vehicle defects discovered during these mandatory vehicle inspections? What safety conclusions do you draw from the results of these inspections? 19. Has your State or organization collected data related to crashes, injuries, or fatalities attributable to improperly maintained or inspected passenger-carrying CMVs? If so, please provide summary information or links to detailed data associated with these areas. 20. Has the occurrence of passengercarrying CMV-involved crashes, injuries, or fatalities before and after the implementation of a mandatory inspection requirement been evaluated? If so, please provide summary information or links to detailed data associated with these areas. 21. After a State inspection requirement was instituted, what changes were observed over time in the number of safety violations discovered during inspections, if any. 22. Do programs that inspect only a sample of vehicles have significantly different outcomes than those where all vehicles are inspected, please provide examples of how they differ? Inspection Facilities and Locations 23. Where does your State conduct mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections (e.g., State owned/leased facility, third party facility, carrier’s place of business, or other type of facility)? 24. Where should mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections be performed? 25. If mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections are conducted at the PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 24771 carrier’s place of business, what accommodations must be made to ensure appropriate access (e.g., pits, lifts, etc.) to conduct full inspections of motorcoaches and other large passenger vehicles? 26. How does facility location or accessibility for mandatory inspections impact inspections or compliance? 27. What delays may the State experience in completing mandatory inspections (e.g. lack of sufficient number of inspection facilities)? Costs 28. What is the cost per mandatory vehicle inspection to the carrier? 29. Do inspection fees differ based on the type of vehicle being inspected? 30. Do vehicle inspection fees differ based on location of the inspections? 31. How much does it cost the State to establish and run inspection programs on an annual basis? 32. If a vehicle does not pass an inspection, is there an additional cost for the second inspection? 33. If fees are collected by the State, does the State dedicate the revenue to the administration of the program? Uniformity of Mandatory Vehicle Inspection Programs 34. What qualifications should be applicable to individuals authorized to perform mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections? 35. Should minimum training elements be required for passengercarrying CMV inspections? If so, how much training should be required and who should administer the training? 36. What should be the minimum vehicle components inspected under a mandatory bus inspection program? 37. How does the existence of different vehicle inspection requirements among the States affect carrier business practices? 38. How might business practices change under a uniform mandatory bus inspection program? Current Federal Standards 39. How effective are existing Federal standards for the inspection of passenger-carrying CMVs in (1) mitigating the risks associated with improperly maintained vehicles and (2) ensuring the safe and proper operating condition of the vehicles? 40. What is an effective and efficient way for the FMCSA to track inspected carriers to reduce burden on States and carriers? Federal Authority 41. How should FMCSA incentivize the States to establish mandatory E:\FR\FM\27APP1.SGM 27APP1 24772 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules passenger-carrying CMV inspection programs? Issued under the authority of delegation in 49 CFR 1.87 on April 20, 2016. T.F. Scott Darling, III, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016–09846 Filed 4–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 300 [Docket No. 160205084–6084–01] RIN 0648–BF76 International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Purse Seine Observer Requirements, and Fishing Restrictions and Limits in Purse Seine and Longline Fisheries for 2016–2017 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS seeks comments on this proposed rule issued under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act). The proposed rule would, first, require that U.S. purse seine vessels carry observers on fishing trips in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO); second, establish restrictions in 2016 and 2017 on the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) by U.S. purse seine vessels in the WCPO; and third, establish limits in 2016 and 2017 on the amount of bigeye tuna that may be captured by U.S. longline vessels in the WCPO. This action is necessary to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), to which it is a Contracting Party. DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted in writing by May 12, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule and the regulatory impact review (RIR) prepared for the proposed rule, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2016–0031, by either of the following methods: jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Apr 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 • Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. 1. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20160031, 2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and 3. Enter or attach your comments. —OR— • Mail: Submit written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, might not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name and address), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). An initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) prepared under authority of the Regulatory Flexibility Act is included in the Classification section of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. Copies of the RIR and the programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) prepared for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) purposes are available at www.regulations.gov or may be obtained from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS PIRO (see address above). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Graham, NMFS PIRO, 808–725–5032. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background on the Convention The Convention focuses on the conservation and management of fisheries for highly migratory species (HMS). The objective of the Convention is to ensure, through effective management, the long-term conservation and sustainable use of HMS in the WCPO. To accomplish this objective, the Convention established the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission or WCPFC), which includes Members, Cooperating Non-members, and Participating PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Territories (collectively referred to here as ‘‘members’’). The United States of America is a Member. American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are Participating Territories. As a Contracting Party to the Convention and a Member of the Commission, the United States implements conservation and management measures and other decisions adopted by the Commission. The WCPFC Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Department in which the United States Coast Guard is operating (currently the Department of Homeland Security), to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the obligations of the United States under the Convention, including the decisions of the Commission. The WCPFC Implementation Act further provides that the Secretary of Commerce shall ensure consistency, to the extent practicable, of fishery management programs administered under the WCPFC Implementation Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as well as other specific laws (see 16 U.S.C. 6905(b)). The Secretary of Commerce has delegated the authority to promulgate regulations under the WCPFC Implementation Act to NMFS. A map showing the boundaries of the area of application of the Convention (Convention Area), which comprises the majority of the WCPO, can be found on the WCPFC Web site at: www.wcpfc.int/ doc/convention-area-map. Proposed Action This proposed rule includes three elements, described in detail below, that would be included in regulations at 50 CFR part 300, subpart O. The three elements would implement specific provisions of the Commission’s Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2015–01, ‘‘Conservation and Management Measure for Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.’’ CMM 2015–01 was adopted by the Commission at its twelth regular annual session, in December 2015, went into effect February 6, 2016, and is generally applicable for the 2016–2017 period. CMM 2015–01 is the latest in a series of CMMs devoted to the conservation and management of tropical tuna stocks, particularly stocks of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). CMM 2015–01 E:\FR\FM\27APP1.SGM 27APP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24769-24772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09846]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 350

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0470]
RIN 2126-AB84


 State Inspection Programs for Passenger-Carrier Vehicles

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

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM).

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that it is considering a rulemaking that would 
require the States to establish a program for annual inspections of 
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) designed or used to transport 
passengers (or, passenger-carrying CMVs). FMCSA plans to assess the 
risks associated with improperly maintained or inspected passenger-
carrying CMVs by reviewing the effectiveness of existing Federal 
inspection standards that are applicable to these types of vehicles, 
and considering the costs and benefits of having a mandatory inspection 
program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 27, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA-
2014-0470 using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Loretta Bitner, Chief, Passenger 
Carrier Division at 202-385-2428, or via email at 
Loretta.Bitner@dot.gov, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact 
Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This advanced notice of proposed rulemaking 
(ANPRM) is organized as follows:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
    A. Submitting Comments
    B. Viewing Comments and Documents
    C. Privacy Act
II. Legal Basis for the Rulemaking
III. Background
IV. Questions

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
ANPRM (Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0470), 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. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a 
mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of 
your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, 
put the docket number, FMCSA-2014-0470, in the keyword box, and click 
``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on the ``Comment Now!'' 
button and type your comment into the text box on the following screen. 
Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on 
behalf of a third party and then submit.
    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 comments by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may develop a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
based on your comments and other information and analysis.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this 
preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket number, FMCSA-2014-0470, in the 
keyword box, and click ``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket 
Folder'' button and choose the document to review. If you do not have 
access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the 
Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
DOT 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

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these 
comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in

[[Page 24770]]

the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed 
at www.dot.gov/privacy.

II. Legal Basis for the Rulemaking

    Section 32710 of Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012, enacted as 
part of MAP-21, requires that the Secretary of Transportation complete 
a rulemaking proceeding to consider requiring States to establish a 
program for annual inspections of vehicles designed or used to 
transport passengers (Pub. L. 112-141). As part of this proceeding, 
FMCSA must assess: (1) The risks associated with improperly maintained 
or inspected CMVs designed or used to transport passengers; (2) the 
effectiveness of existing Federal inspection standards in mitigating 
the risks associated with improperly maintained vehicles and ensuring 
safe and proper operation; and (3) the costs and benefits of a 
mandatory inspection program.

III. Background

    Section 210 of the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 required the 
Secretary of Transportation to prescribe standards for the inspection 
of CMVs. See 49 U.S.C. 31142. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations (FMCSR), a CMV, including qualifying passenger vehicles,\1\ 
must be inspected at least once every 12 months. See 49 CFR 396.17. 
Subject to exceptions under Sec.  396.23, a motor carrier must either 
conduct the inspection using its own qualified personnel or use a 
qualified third party that maintains appropriate facilities and employs 
inspectors qualified under Sec.  396.19. In lieu of conducting a self-
inspection or relying on a third-party inspector under Sec.  396.17, a 
motor carrier may satisfy the FMCSR annual inspection requirement 
through a State or other jurisdiction's inspection program in 
accordance with Sec.  396.23(a), provided that the inspection satisfies 
regulatory requirements.
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    \1\ A CMV is defined, in part, for purposes of this regulation 
as a ``motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to 
transport passengers . . . when the vehicle--(1) [h]as a gross 
vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross 
vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 
pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or (2) [i]s designed or used 
to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for 
compensation; or (3) [i]s designed or used to transport more than 15 
passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport 
passengers for compensation . . .'' 49 CFR 390.5.
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    However, in those States that have a mandatory State inspection 
requirement that the FMCSA Administrator has determined to be as 
effective as inspections under Sec.  396.17, a motor carrier may rely 
on the State inspection process in order to satisfy the annual 
inspection requirement. 49 CFR 396.23(b)(1). A State inspection under 
this provision might be conducted by State personnel, at a State-
authorized commercial facility, or by the motor carrier under the 
auspices of a State-authorized self-inspection program. Id. According 
to the latest list published by FMCSA, 22 States are among the 
governmental entities that have mandatory inspections programs 
recognized by the FMCSA Administrator. 73 FR 63040 (October 22, 
2008).\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ At the time of publication, the list of State inspection 
programs determined comparable to, or as effective as, the FMCSA 
periodic inspection program included California, Connecticut, 
Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 
Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West 
Virginia, and Wisconsin. Other jurisdictions and agencies with 
approved programs are the District of Columbia, the Alabama LPG 
Board, the 10 Canadian Provinces, and the Yukon Territory. However 
FMCSA does not collect inspection data on passenger CMVs that are 
not subject to FMCSAs regulatory authority.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2012, Congress enacted legislation requiring the Secretary of 
Transportation to complete a rulemaking proceeding to consider 
requiring States to establish an annual inspection program as discussed 
under the Legal Basis section, above. Subsequently, FMCSA conducted 
three public listening sessions that provided interested parties with 
the opportunity to share their views on the merits of requiring State 
inspections of passenger CMVs.\3\ Transcripts of these sessions are 
available in the public docket noted above. Stakeholders' presentations 
proved valuable in developing the questions posed in today's ANPRM. 
While the Agency received a broad range of comments, recurring themes 
included the costs of mandatory inspection programs, the value of a 
nation-wide uniform inspection standard, and the need for national 
training of inspectors to eliminate inconsistencies in how inspection 
standards are applied. Both industry and the enforcement community 
identified concerns about the cost of the inspection programs. 
Stakeholders' estimates of costs for program administration and 
individual inspections varied significantly. Industry stakeholders 
expressed concern about inconsistent inspections under existing 
programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The listening sessions were conducted at the American Bus 
Association Marketplace in St. Louis, Missouri on January 13, 2015, 
a United Motor Coach Association meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana 
on January 18, 2015, and a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance 
workshop in Jacksonville, Florida on April 14, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 32710 of MAP-21 did not address the Agency's authority to 
require mandatory State inspection programs. While Congress has granted 
the Secretary broad regulatory authority over the interstate operation 
of CMVs, under Federalism principles and the 10th Amendment, the 
Federal government may not compel the States to enact or administer a 
Federal regulatory program (New York v. United States, 505 U.S. 144, 
188 (1992)), or compel State officers to administer or enforce a 
Federal regulatory program (Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898, 935 
(1997)). Thus, FMCSA assumes Congress intended that State participation 
would be required as a condition of receiving Federal funds. See, e.g., 
South Dakota v. Dole, 483 U.S. 203, 206-207 (1987). However, Congress 
neither established a new financial assistance program for funding 
State inspection programs nor specified what existing financial 
assistance program FMCSA might employ to incentivize States to adopt 
inspection programs. Thus, in posing its final question below, the 
Agency is seeking its State partners' views on how to implement and 
incentivize a required State inspection program, should the Agency 
propose such a program.

IV. Questions

    FMCSA is considering a rulemaking under which States would 
establish a program for annual inspections of CMVs designed or used to 
transport passengers. The Agency will use information gathered through 
this ANPRM to quantify the economic benefits and costs of this action 
if it issues an NPRM. The Agency encourages parties with knowledge of 
the industry to provide information about the impact that such a rule 
would have on current regulations, operating costs, business practices, 
safety, and any other areas that would be affected by a rule requiring 
States to establish inspection programs.
    FMCSA also requests responses to the following issues and 
questions. Again, whenever possible, commenters should provide data. 
FMCSA also encourages stakeholders to describe any applicable 
regulatory inspection process under which they operate. FMCSA 
recognizes that an individual commenter may choose to respond to all of 
the issues or only a subset, based on his or her interest or area of 
expertise.

[[Page 24771]]

Existing State Mandatory Vehicle Inspection Programs for Passenger-
Carrying Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs)

    1. Does your State or the States in which you register your 
passenger-carrying CMV conduct mandatory inspections of such vehicles? 
Please indicate the State(s) in which your passenger-carrying CMVs are 
registered.
    2. What vehicle types are included in the mandatory passenger-
carrying CMV inspection program (e.g., motorcoaches, school buses, 
mini-buses, 9-15 passenger vans, etc.) and which are not included?
    3. If your State has a mandatory program, briefly describe your 
inspection procedures and indicate which vehicle components are 
inspected.
    4. How many total inspections are performed by your State annually 
for each of the following types of vehicles?

a. Motorcoaches
b. School buses
c. Mini-buses
d. 9-15 passenger vans
e. Other

    5. What is the estimated time required to complete each vehicle 
inspection?
    6. What procedures are used to record the vehicle inspection?
    7. If a vehicle does not pass an inspection, who addresses the 
issues? If it is done by someone other than the inspecting entity, is 
there a second inspection after the issues are addressed? On average, 
how many follow up inspections does it take to pass a vehicle?
    8. Are mandatory vehicle inspections performed by State employees, 
by third-party inspectors authorized by the State, or by passenger 
carrier employees through a State-authorized self-inspection program?
    9. If vehicle inspections are conducted by a State-authorized third 
party or by passenger-carrier employees authorized by the State, are 
there differences in safety outcomes between those conducted by State 
employees and those conducted by third-party inspectors or through a 
passenger carrier's State-authorized self-inspection facilities?
    10. Are there any specific benefits or concerns related to using 
third-party inspectors or by others?
    11. If inspections are conducted by third-party inspectors or by 
passenger carrier-employed mechanics or technicians, what oversight is 
or should be required?
    12. Should self-inspection or third-party inspections be options 
for compliance with a mandatory State inspection?
    13. How does/would the cost of inspections differ between those 
conducted by State employees or by third-party inspectors?
    14. What might be other preferable options?

Measuring Effectiveness of Inspection Programs

    15. Does your State have information on violations discovered 
during inspections that are attributable to maintenance issues that 
should have been found during a required vehicle inspection?
    16. Has your State considered implementing a mandatory passenger-
carrying CMV inspection program, but declined to do so? If so, what are 
your State's reasons for not implementing a program?
    17. If your State imposes mandatory inspection of passenger-
carrying CMVs, how is the effectiveness of that program measured?
    18. What are the most common vehicle defects discovered during 
these mandatory vehicle inspections? What safety conclusions do you 
draw from the results of these inspections?
    19. Has your State or organization collected data related to 
crashes, injuries, or fatalities attributable to improperly maintained 
or inspected passenger-carrying CMVs? If so, please provide summary 
information or links to detailed data associated with these areas.
    20. Has the occurrence of passenger-carrying CMV-involved crashes, 
injuries, or fatalities before and after the implementation of a 
mandatory inspection requirement been evaluated? If so, please provide 
summary information or links to detailed data associated with these 
areas.
    21. After a State inspection requirement was instituted, what 
changes were observed over time in the number of safety violations 
discovered during inspections, if any.
    22. Do programs that inspect only a sample of vehicles have 
significantly different outcomes than those where all vehicles are 
inspected, please provide examples of how they differ?

Inspection Facilities and Locations

    23. Where does your State conduct mandatory passenger-carrying CMV 
inspections (e.g., State owned/leased facility, third party facility, 
carrier's place of business, or other type of facility)?
    24. Where should mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections be 
performed?
    25. If mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections are conducted 
at the carrier's place of business, what accommodations must be made to 
ensure appropriate access (e.g., pits, lifts, etc.) to conduct full 
inspections of motorcoaches and other large passenger vehicles?
    26. How does facility location or accessibility for mandatory 
inspections impact inspections or compliance?
    27. What delays may the State experience in completing mandatory 
inspections (e.g. lack of sufficient number of inspection facilities)?

Costs

    28. What is the cost per mandatory vehicle inspection to the 
carrier?
    29. Do inspection fees differ based on the type of vehicle being 
inspected?
    30. Do vehicle inspection fees differ based on location of the 
inspections?
    31. How much does it cost the State to establish and run inspection 
programs on an annual basis?
    32. If a vehicle does not pass an inspection, is there an 
additional cost for the second inspection?
    33. If fees are collected by the State, does the State dedicate the 
revenue to the administration of the program?

Uniformity of Mandatory Vehicle Inspection Programs

    34. What qualifications should be applicable to individuals 
authorized to perform mandatory passenger-carrying CMV inspections?
    35. Should minimum training elements be required for passenger-
carrying CMV inspections? If so, how much training should be required 
and who should administer the training?
    36. What should be the minimum vehicle components inspected under a 
mandatory bus inspection program?
    37. How does the existence of different vehicle inspection 
requirements among the States affect carrier business practices?
    38. How might business practices change under a uniform mandatory 
bus inspection program?

Current Federal Standards

    39. How effective are existing Federal standards for the inspection 
of passenger-carrying CMVs in (1) mitigating the risks associated with 
improperly maintained vehicles and (2) ensuring the safe and proper 
operating condition of the vehicles?
    40. What is an effective and efficient way for the FMCSA to track 
inspected carriers to reduce burden on States and carriers?

Federal Authority

    41. How should FMCSA incentivize the States to establish mandatory

[[Page 24772]]

passenger-carrying CMV inspection programs?

    Issued under the authority of delegation in 49 CFR 1.87 on April 
20, 2016.
T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-09846 Filed 4-26-16; 8:45 am]
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