Agency Information Collection Activity under OMB Review: Title VI as It Applies to FTA Grant Programs, 80380-80381 [2023-25415]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80380-80381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25415]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2023-0028]


Agency Information Collection Activity under OMB Review: Title VI 
as It Applies to FTA Grant Programs

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 December 18, 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 September 18, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR 
33963) 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 FTA Grant Programs
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0540
    Background: 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 regulations implementing this DOJ 
mandate.
    In this regard, the responsibility of the FTA is to ensure that 
federally

[[Page 80381]]

supported transit services and benefits are distributed by applicants, 
recipients, and subrecipients 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.
    Respondents: Transit agencies, States, and Metropolitan Planning 
Organizations.
    Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 284 (45 hours for each of 
the 100 more specific title VI Program submissions; 1 hour for each of 
the 183 general title VI Program submissions).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,684 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

Nadine Pembleton,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-25415 Filed 11-16-23; 8:45 am]
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