Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review, 27957-27958 [2017-12633]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 116 (Monday, June 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27957-27958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12633]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2017-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995), this 
notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) 
abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the 
information collection and their expected burdens. The Federal Register 
notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the 
following collections of information was published on March 14, 2017 
(82 FR 13923).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: All written comments must refer to the docket number that 
appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
725-17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk Officer. 
Alternatively, comments may be sent via email to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and 
Budget, at the following address: oira_submissions@omb.eop.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration,

[[Page 27958]]

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, 
Section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require 
Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on 
information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork 
packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On 
March 14, 2017, published a 60-day notice (82 FR 13725) in the Federal 
Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the agency was seeking OMB 
approval. FTA received no comments after issuing this 60-day notice. 
Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection activities 
have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12(c).
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or 
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day 
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 
60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice 
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords 
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a 
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should 
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication 
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Title VI As It Applies to Federal Transit Administration 
Grant Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0540.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2000d) states: ``No person in the United States shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, 
be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any 
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.''
    To achieve this purpose, each Federal department and agency which 
provides financial assistance for any program or activity is authorized 
and directed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to effectuate 
provisions of Title VI for each program or activity by issuing 
generally applicable regulations or requirements. The Department of 
Transportation (DOT) has issued its regulation implementing this DOJ 
mandate. In this regard, the responsibility of the FTA is to ensure 
that Federally-supported transit services and benefits are distributed 
by applicants, recipients, and sub-recipients of FTA assistance in a 
manner consistent with Title VI. The employment practices of a grant 
applicant, recipient, or sub-recipient are also covered under Title VI 
if the primary purpose of the FTA-supported program is to provide 
employment or if those employment practices would result in 
discrimination against beneficiaries of FTA-assisted services and 
benefits. FTA policies and requirements are designed to clarify and 
strengthen Title VI (service equity) procedures for FTA grant 
recipients by requiring submission of written plans and approval of 
such plans by the agency. All project sponsors receiving financial 
assistance pursuant to an FTA-funded project shall not discriminate in 
the provision of services because of race, color, or national origin. 
Experience has demonstrated that a program requirement at the 
application stage is necessary to assure that benefits and services are 
equitably distributed by grant recipients. The requirements prescribed 
by the Office of Civil Rights are designed to accomplish this objective 
and diminish possible vestiges of discrimination among FTA grant 
recipients. FTA's assessment of the requirements indicated that the 
formulation and implementation of the Title VI Program should occur 
with a decrease in costs to such applicants and recipients.
    Annual Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,684 hours.
    Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 284.
    Comments are Invited On: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its 
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register.

William Hyre,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-12633 Filed 6-16-17; 8:45 am]
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