Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Urbanized Area Formula Program, 56918-56919 [2023-17913]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 160 (Monday, August 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56918-56919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17913]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2023-0017]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: 
Urbanized Area Formula Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation 
(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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration, 
Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail Stop TAD-
10, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0354 or [email protected].

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 May 25, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR 33962) 
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: 49 U.S.C. 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0502.
    Background: The Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 
5307) makes federal resources available to urbanized areas and to 
governors for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized 
areas and for transportation-related planning. An urbanized area is an 
incorporated area with a population of 50,000 or more that

[[Page 56919]]

is designated as such by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census. Funding is made available to designated recipients that are 
public bodies with the legal authority to receive and dispense federal 
funds. Governors, responsible local officials and publicly owned 
operators of transit services shall designate a recipient to apply for, 
receive, and dispense funds for urbanized areas pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 
A5307(a)(2). The governor or governor's designee acts as the designated 
recipient for urbanized areas between 50,000 and 200,000. For urbanized 
areas with 200,000 in population and over, funds are apportioned and 
flow directly to a designated recipient selected locally to apply for 
and receive Federal funds. For urbanized areas under 200,000 in 
population, the funds are apportioned to the governor of each state for 
distribution. Eligible activities include: planning, engineering, 
design and evaluation of transit projects and other technical 
transportation-related studies; capital investments in bus and bus-
related activities such as replacement, overhaul and rebuilding of 
buses, crime prevention and security equipment and construction of 
maintenance and passenger facilities; and capital investments in new 
and existing fixed guideway systems including rolling stock, overhaul 
and rebuilding of vehicles, track, signals, communications, and 
computer hardware and software. In addition, associated transit 
improvements and certain expenses associated with mobility management 
programs are eligible under the program. All preventive maintenance and 
some Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service 
costs are considered capital costs. For urbanized areas with 
populations less than 200,000, operating assistance is an eligible 
expense. Urbanized areas of 200,000 or more may not use funds for 
operating assistance unless identified by FTA as eligible under the 
Special Rule.
    Respondents: State or local governmental entities that operates a 
public transportation service.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 5,864.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 114,008.
    Frequency: Annually.

Emily Anderson,
Director, Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2023-17913 Filed 8-18-23; 8:45 am]
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