[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 74 (Monday, April 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 20512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9547]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection Requirement (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting comments on the following collections of information was 
published on January 26, 2000 (65 FR 4297).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 17, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning 
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW, Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6292), or Dian Deal, Office of Information Technology and 
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW, Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6133). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Pub. L. 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 January 26, 2000, FRA published a 60-day notice in the 
Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking 
OMB approval. 65 FR 4297. FRA received no comments after issuing this 
notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection 
activities have been reevaluated 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 revised 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Control of Alcohol and Drug Use in Railroad Operations
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0526
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.73; 6180.74; 6180.94A and 6180.94B
    Abstract: The information collection requirements contained in pre-
employment and ``for cause'' testing regulations are intended to ensure 
a sense of fairness and accuracy for railroads and their employees. The 
principal information `` evidence of unauthorized alcohol and drug use 
``is used to prevent accidents by screening personnel who perform 
safety-sensitive service. FRA uses the information to measure the level 
of compliance with regulations governing the use of alcohol or 
controlled substances. Elimination of this problem is necessary to 
prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities of the nature already 
experienced and further reduce the risk of a truly catastrophic 
accident. Finally, FRA analyzes the data provided in the Management 
Information System (MIS) annual report to monitor the effectiveness of 
a railroad's alcohol and drug testing program.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 129,366 hours

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding these information collections to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20503; Attention: 
FRA Desk Officer.
    Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed 
collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of FRA, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the 
proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collections 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.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Margaret B. Reid,
Acting Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, 
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-9547 Filed 4-14-00; 8:45 am]
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