Source: http://thefederalregister.com/2008/10/03/E8-23266.html
Timestamp: 2019-06-20 23:07:33
Document Index: 718103626

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 400', 'art 18', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', 'art 121', 'art 1320', 'ART 400', 'art 400', 'art 400', 'art 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400', '§ 400']

Federal Register | E-911 Grant Program
47 CFR Part 400
[Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0142]
RIN 2127-AK37
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT); National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce (DOC).
SUMMARY: This joint notice proposes implementing regulations for the E-911 Grant Program authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942). The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network. This NPRM proposes the application, award and administrative requirements for the E-911 grant program and seeks comments thereon.
DATES: Written comments may be submitted to this agency and must be received by December 2, 2008.
ADDRESSES: *Federal eRulemaking Portal:Go tohttp://wwww.regulations.gov.Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
*Mail:Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
*Hand Delivery or Courier:West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and5 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Instructions:For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the "Public Participation" heading in theSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONsection of this document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change tohttp://www.regulations.gov,including any personal information provided. Please see the "Privacy Act" heading below.
Privacy Act:Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in theFederal Registerpublished on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19476-78).
Docket:For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go tohttp://www.regulations.govat any time or to West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and5 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For program issues: Mr. Drew Dawson, Director, Office of Emergency Medical Services, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., NTI-140, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-9966. E-mail:Drew.Dawson@dot.gov.
For legal issues: Ms. Jin Kim, Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., NCC-113, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-1834. E-mail:Jin.Kim@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Background II. Summary of the ENHANCE 911 Act III. Proposed Regulations A. Definitions B. Who May Apply C. Application Requirements 1. State 911 Plan 2. Project Budget 3. Supplemental Project Budget 4. Designated E-911 Coordinator 5. Certifications 6. Due Date D. Approval and Award E. Distribution of Grant Funds F. Eligible Uses for Grant Funds G. Non-Compliance H. Financial and Administrative Requirements I. Closeout IV. Public Participation V. Statutory Basis for This Action VI. Regulatory Analyses and Notices A. Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Policies and Procedures B. Regulatory Flexibility Act C. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) D. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) E. Paperwork Reduction Act F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act G. National Environmental Policy Act H. Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribes) I. Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) J. Privacy Act I. Background
Many PSAPs do not have the resources to make the upgrades necessary to request E-911 service. Some PSAPs are able to fund upgrades from their existing budgets, but other PSAPs must rely on funds collected by the State to maintain operation and make capital improvements to 911 services. While most States collect some type of wireless fee or surcharge on consumers' wireless telephone bills to help fund PSAP operations and upgrades, not all State laws ensure that such surcharges are dedicated to their intended use. In fact, some States have used E-911 surcharges to satisfy other State obligations that may be marginally related to public safety, even though PSAPs remain unable to receive E-911 service.See, e.g., Government Accountability Office (GAO),States' Collection and Use of Funds for Wireless Enhanced 911 Services, GAO-06-338 (March 2006); see also GAO, Survey on State Wireless E911 Funds, GAO-06-400sp (2006).
The ENHANCE 911 Act requires NHTSA and NTIA to “establish a jointprogram to facilitate coordination and communication between Federal, State, and local emergency communications systems, emergency personnel, public safety organizations, telecommunications carriers, and telecommunications equipment manufacturers and vendors involved in the implementation of E-911 services” and “create an E-911 Implementation Coordination Office [ICO] * * *.” 47 U.S.C. 942(a)(1). The Act charges the ICO with three tasks related to E-911 grant program administration. Specifically, the Act requires the ICO to: (1) Advise and assist eligible entities in the preparation of plans required under the Act for the coordination and implementation of E-911 services; (2) receive and review grant applications and recommend approval or disapproval; and (3) oversee the use of grant funds in fulfilling implementation plans. 47 U.S.C. 942(a)(3). The agencies have centralized the grant-related administrative functions of the ICO within NHTSA.
The Act directs NHTSA and NTIA, acting through the ICO and after consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Communications Commission, to provide grants to eligible entities for the implementation and operation of Phase II E-911 services, as defined by FCC regulations. 47 U.S.C. 942(b)(1). (Phase II E-911 service refers to providing PSAPs with the location of all 911 calls by latitude and longitude within 50 to 300 meters depending on the type of technology used.See47 CFR 20.18.) The Act was amended by the NET 911 Improvement Act to permit grant funds to be used for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network.
Generally, terms used in this part are terms defined by the ENHANCE 911 Act. The NET 911 Improvement Act, which amended the ENHANCE 911 Act to allow grant funds to be used for migration to an “IP-enabled emergency network,” does not define that term. IP, or Internet Protocol, is one method or protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another.SeeRFC 791, “Internet Protocol, DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification” (Sept. 1981), available athttp://rfc.net/rfc0791.html; see also STD 5 “Internet Protocol, DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification” (Sept. 1981), available athttp://rfc.net/std0005.html. Because the agencies believe that such emergency communications should be transmitted securely, the agencies propose defining “IP-enabled emergency network” as an emergency communications network based on an infrastructure allowing secured transmission of data among computers that use the Internet Protocol.
The proposed rule outlines the requirements for States to apply for a grant under this program. In order to qualify to receive an E-911 grant, the agencies propose that States must submit an application containing the following components: a State 911 plan, a project budget, a supplementaryproject budget, designation of the State E-911 Coordinator, and a certification of compliance with statutory and programmatic requirements. These components are consistent with the application requirements of the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.See49 CFR 18.10; Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102.
The agencies propose that a State would submit a project budget for the projects and activities that it seeks to fund with E-911 grant funds and the required State matching funds.See49 CFR 18.10; OMB Circular A-102. Elsewhere in this notice, the agencies propose to distribute grant funds based on a formula.Seediscussion under Section III.E., below. Based on that proposed formula, we have identified in an appendix to this part the minimum award each State would receive if all States qualified for a grant. A State's project budget would need to account for all funds (those identified in Appendix A for the State and State matching funds) in describing the projects or activities for which it seeks funding, and describe the non-Federal sources that will fund 50 percent of the cost. The non-Federal sources must be consistent with the requirements set out in the matching provision of 49 CFR part 18, DOT's implementation of the government-wide common grant rule for State and local governments. As provided in 48 U.S.C. 1469a, the requirement for non-Federal matching funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions) is waived for the Territorial governments in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It is possible that some States may choose not to apply or may not qualify for an E-911 grant because they are unable to make the required certifications. To address these contingencies, the agencies propose to distribute all remaining available funds to the pool of qualifying grant recipients, in accordance with the same formula used for the initial distribution. See discussion under Section III.E., below. In order to expedite the award of these grant funds, the agencies propose that States would include a supplemental project budget in anticipation of the potential availability of additional grant funds. Specifically, the agencies propose that States identify in their supplemental project budget the maximum amount that the State would be able to match from non-Federal sources and include proposed projects or activities for those grant and matching funds, up to the same total amount and to the same level of detail as required for the project budget under proposed § 400.4(a)(2). The agencies propose that the supplemental project budget meet the same requirements identified for the project budget in § 400.4(a)(2) and be consistent with the State 911 Plan in § 400.4(a)(1).
The agencies' proposal establishes an application due date of 60 days after publication of the final rule in theFederal Register. This proposed date balances the need to provide the States appropriate time to prepare proposals with the agencies' need for review time prior to award, taking into account that awards must be made by September 30, 2009.
As discussed under Section III.C.3, it is possible that some States may not apply for grant funds or may not qualify for grant funds because they cannot make the required certifications. To address this possibility, the agencies propose to redistribute any remaining grant funds to those States that have qualified for grant funds and have submitted supplemental project budgets as described in proposed § 400.4(a)(3). The agencies propose to distribute these funds in accordance with the same formula discussed above.
The ENHANCE 911 Act provides that the grants are intended for the implementation and operation of Phase II E-911 services or for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network. To implement this requirement, the agencies propose that grant funds and matching funds be used either for the acquisition and deployment of hardware and software that enables compliance with Phase II E-911 services or that enables migration to an IP-enabled emergency network, or for training in the use of such hardware and software. The agencies believe that limiting grant funds to these identified uses will maximize progress towardimplementing Phase II E-911 services and IP-enabled 911 services, and would best effectuate the purposes of the Act.
IV. Public Participation A. How do I prepare and submit comments?
Please submit two copies of your comments, including the attachments, to Docket Management at the address given above underADDRESSES.
Comments may also be submitted to the docket electronically on the Federal eRulemaking Portal athttp://www.regulations.gov.Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
We will consider all comments that Docket Management receives before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated above underDATES. To the extent possible, we will also consider comments that Docket Management receives after that date.
You may read the comments received by the Docket Management at the address given underADDRESSES. The hours of the Docket are indicated above in the same location. To read the comments on the Internet, go tohttp://www.regulations.gov.Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket.
VI. Regulatory Analyses and Notices A. Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Policies and Procedures
In consideration of the foregoing, the agencies have determined that if it is made final, this rulemaking action would not be economically significant. The impacts of the rule would be so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation is not required.
Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, whenever an agency publishes a notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions). 5 U.S.C. 601et seq.The Small Business Administration's regulations at 13 CFR part 121 define a small business, in part, as a business entity “which operates primarily within the United States.” 13 CFR 121.105(a). No regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency certifies the rulemaking action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. SBREFA amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying that an action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a person is not required to respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency unless the collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. This NPRM, if made final, would result in a new collection of information that would require OMB clearance pursuant to 5 CFR part 1320. Before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a document in theFederal Registerproviding a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information. OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
Title:E-911 Grant Program.
OMB Control Number:N/A
Requested Expiration Date of Approval:Three years from the approval date.
Affected Public:State Governments
Form Number:N/A
Abstract:The Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942) authorizes a joint grant program between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce to facilitate coordination among all parties involved in the organization of E-911 services.
In aFederal Registerdocument published on March 11, 2008, NHTSA sought public comment on a proposed collection of information for the E-911grant program.See73 FR 13068. In that notice, NHTSA inadvertently identified HS-217 (Highway Safety Program Cost Summary) for submission in the application instead of SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), including SF-424a and SF-424b, which have been approved by OMB. The agencies intend to use the SF-424 forms as part of the application for the E-911 grant program. Accordingly, the agencies are not required to obtain OMB approval for the use of these forms.
Estimated Annual Burden:2240 hours (for State 911 plans).
Estimated Number of Respondents:56 (50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Comments are invited on:Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agencies, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agencies' 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. Comments must refer to the docket and notice numbers cited at the beginning of this NPRM and be submitted to one of the addresses identified at the beginning of this NPRM.
Please note that anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in theFederal Register. 65 FR 19477, Apr. 11, 2000.
Grant programs, Telecommunications, Emergency response capabilities (911).
CHAPTER IV—NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AND NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 400—E-911 GRANT PROGRAM Sec. 400.1 Purpose. 400.2 Definitions. 400.3 Who may apply. 400.4 Application requirements. 400.5 Approval and award. 400.6 Distribution of grant funds. 400.7 Eligible uses for grant funds. 400.8 Non-compliance. 400.9 Financial and administrative requirements. 400.10 Closeout. Appendix A to Part 400: Minimum Grant Awards Available to Qualifying States Appendix B to Part 400: Certification for E-911 Grant Applicants Appendix C to Part 400: Annual Certification for E-911 Grant Recipients Authority:
§ 400.1 Purpose.
§ 400.2 Definitions.
Administratormeans the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.
Assistant Secretarymeans the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Designated E-911 chargesmean any taxes, fees, or other charges imposed by a State or other taxing jurisdiction that are designated or presented as dedicated to deliver or improve E-911 services.
E-911 Coordinatormeans a single officer or governmental body of the State that is responsible for implementing E-911 services in the State.
E-911 servicesmean both phase I and phase II enhanced 911 services, as described in 47 CFR 20.18.
Eligible entitymeans a State or local government or tribal organization,including public authorities, boards, commissions, and similar bodies created by such governmental entities to provided E-911 services.
ICOmeans the National E-911 Implementation Coordination Office established under 47 U.S.C. 942 for the administration of the E-911 grant program, located at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., NTI-140, Washington, DC 20590.
IP-enabled emergency networkmeans an emergency communications network based on an infrastructure allowing secured transmission of data among computers that use the Internet Protocol.
Phase II E-911services mean phase II enhanced 911 services, as described in47 CFR 20.18.
PSAPmeans a public safety answering point, a facility that has been designated to receive emergency calls and route them to emergency personnel.
Stateincludes any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
§ 400.3 Who may apply.
§ 400.4 Application requirements.
(a)Contents. A State's application for funds for the E-911 grant program must consist of the following components:
(1)State 911 Plan. A plan that details the projects and activities proposed to be funded for the implementation and operation of Phase II E-911 services or migration to an IP-enabled emergency network, establishes metrics and a time table for grant implementation, and describes the steps the State has taken to—
(2)Project budget. A project budget for all proposed projects and activities to be funded by the grant funds identified for the State in Appendix A to this part and matching funds. Specifically, for each project or activity, the State must:
(i) Demonstrate that the project or activity meets the eligible use requirement in § 400.7; and
(3)Supplemental project budget. To be eligible for additional grant funds that may become available in accordance with § 400.6, a State must submit, with its application, a supplemental project budget that identifies the maximum dollar amount the State is able to match from non-Federal sources meeting the requirements of 49 CFR 18.24, and includes projects or activities for those grant and matching amounts, up to the total amount in the project budget submitted under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. This information must be provided to the same level of detail as required under paragraph (a)(2) of this section and be consistent with the State 911 Plan required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(4)Designated E-911 Coordinator. The identification of a single officer or government body appointed by the Governor of the State to serve as the E-911 Coordinator of implementation of E-911 services and to sign the certifications required under this part. If the Governor appoints a governmental body to serve as the E-911 Coordinator, an official representative of the governmental body shall be identified to sign the certifications for the E-911 Coordinator. The State must notify NHTSA in writing within 30 days of any change in appointment of the E-911 Coordinator.
(5)Certifications.
(b)Due date. The State must submit the application documents identified in this section so that they are received by the ICO no later than 60 days after publication of the Final Rule in theFederal Register. Failure to meet this deadline will preclude the State from receiving consideration for an E-911 grant award.
§ 400.5 Approval and award.
(b) The ICO may request additional information from the State, with respect to any of the application submission requirements of § 400.4, prior to making a determination of award.
§ 400.6 Distribution of grant funds.
(a)Initial distribution. Subject to paragraph (b) of this section, grant funds for each State that meets the requirements in § 400.4 will be distributed—
(b)Minimum distribution. The distribution to each qualifying State under paragraph (a) of this section shall not be less than $500,000, except that the distribution to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,and the U.S. Virgin Islands shall not be less than $250,000.
(c)Supplemental distribution. Grant funds that are not distributed under paragraph (a) of this section will be redistributed among qualifying States that have met the requirements of § 400.4, including the submission of a supplemental project budget as provided § 400.4(a)(3), in accordance with the formula in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 400.7