Surface Transportation Board July 29, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice that the Board has submitted to OMB a request for review and clearance of the Board's Application to Open an Account for Billing Purposes, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA). The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on May 17, 2005 at 70 FR 28354. That notice allowed for a 60- day public review and comment period on the proposed reinstatement without change of this previously approved information collection. No comments were received. The purpose of the current notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment to satisfy the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3507(b). Comments are requested concerning (1) whether the particular collection of information described below is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be considered by OMB prior to approval of the proposed collection. Overview of this information collection: Title: Application to Open an Account for Billing Purposes. OMB Control Number: 2104-0006. Form Number: STB Form 1032. Number of Respondents: 20. Affected Public: Rail carriers, shippers, and others doing business before the agency. Estimated Time Per Response: Less than .08 hours. This estimate is based on actual past survey information. Frequency of Response: The form will only have to be completed once by each account holder. Total Annual Burden Hours: Less than 1.6 hours. Total Annual ``Non-Hour Burden'' Cost: No ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with this collection have been identified. Needs and Uses: The Board is, by statute, responsible for the economic regulation of surface transportation carriers operating in interstate commerce. This form is for use by applicants who wish to open an account with the Board to charge fees for records search, review, copying, certification of records, filing fees, and related services rendered. The account holder would be billed on a monthly basis for payment of accumulated fees. Data provided will also be used for debt collection activities. The form requests information as required by OMB and U.S. Department of Treasury regulations for the collection of fees. This information is not duplicated by any other agency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, all taxpayer identification and social security numbers will be secured and used only for credit management and debt collection activities. The information will be retained until the account holder indicates that he wishes to close the account and all debts are paid in full.