Application for Billing Account - Justification

Supporting Statement for
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
STB Form 1032 – Application to Open an Account for Billing Purposes
A. Justification
1. Need for Information
The Surface Transportation Board is, by statute, responsible for the economic regulation of
common carrier railroads operating in the United States. The agency needs the information on
this application from persons doing business before the agency who wish to open an account
with the Board to facilitate payment of filing fees and fees for other services rendered by the
agency. The agency is authorized to collect this information pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 7701. The
relevant procedures are codified at 49 CFR 1002.2(a)(2).

Collecting the information necessary to open an account results in a benefit to both the
respondent and the Board. Having a credit account allows the respondent to file numerous
documents with the Board, which then issues a monthly statement of charges payable by one
check. Also, having an account permits law firms to send their staff to the Board to obtain
copying, research and certification services without having to pay at the time the service is
provided and then seek reimbursement from the law firm. Without an account, respondents
would have to cut individual checks when they submit filings or receive services. Some of the
accountholders have 40-50 transactions per month, while others have 5-10 transactions per
month. Issuing individual checks would be a considerable burden to the respondent, and
processing and depositing these checks would be a burden to the Government.
2. Use of Data Collected
The data collected is used for credit management and debt collection activities.
3. Reduction of Burden through Improved Technology
Respondents are permitted to fax their signed forms to the Board.
4. Identification of Duplication
This information is not duplicated by any other agency.
5. Minimizing Burden for Small Businesses
The burden associated with this one-time collection is negligible for all respondents.
6. Frequency Reduction Consequences

The form is filled out only once per respondent.
7. Special Circumstances
None
8. Consultation Outside Agency
The Board provided a 60-day comment period regarding this collection in 73 FR 34068
(June 16, 2008). No comments were received. As required, a Federal Register notice providing
an additional 30-day comment period is being published simultaneously with this submission.
9. Payment or Gift
No payment or gift is made in connection with this survey form.
10. Assurance of Confidentiality
In accordance with the Privacy Act, all taxpayer identification and social security
numbers are secured and used only for credit management and debt collection activities.
11. Sensitive Information
The information generally collected on this form is the respondent’s business name,
address, and FEIN number and the signature of the company executive. On occasion, where a
billing account is sought by an individual, rather than a business, that respondent’s name,
address, and social security number is collected.
12. Estimated Burden Hours and Cost
The Board estimates that 20 applicants will use this form annually and that it will take
each respondent less than .08 hours to complete and process the form. This estimate is based on
actual past survey information.
13. Record Keeping Burden
For respondents, there is no record keeping associated with this collection. The STB
retains this information until respondent asks to close account and any debts are paid in full.
14. Annualized Cost To the Federal Government
Negligible.
15. Program Changes to Items 13 and 14 of OMB Form 83-1
Not applicable.

16. Publication of Data and/or Results
None.
17. Display of Expiration date for OMB approval
The expiration date and control number for this collection are printed on the form.
18. Exceptions to the Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions
Not applicable.

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Not Applicable.