2127-0653 18SS_2012 rev

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

INFORMATION COLLECTION

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Racial Profiling, State Traffic Data, and Child Booster Seat Grant Program

OMB Control Number 2127-0653

INTRODUCTION

The request is to extend a previously approved collection of information for grant programs under Sections 1906, 2006 and 2011 of SAFETEA-LU, which bears OMB Control Number 2127-0653.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Pub. L. 109-59, authorizes several grants that are administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Specifically, these grant programs include the following: (1) Section 1906 authorizing a grant program for States that enact and enforce a law that prohibits racial profiling in the enforcement of traffic laws on Federal-aid highways; (2) Section 2006 (codified at 23 U.S.C. § 408) authorizing a grant program for States to support the development and implementation of State traffic safety information systems; and (3) Section 2011 authorizing a grant program for States for child safety seats and child booster seats.

For these programs, the agency requests that a grantee provide information on how it intends to expend funds and how funds were expended each fiscal year. The State initially submits this information as part of the Program Cost Summary document (identified as the HS-217 form), a form with existing PRA clearance (OMB Control Number 2127-0003), within 30 days of the award notification and then periodically updates the information as new activities under the grants are initiated.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.

The Program Cost Summary will be submitted electronically. This information collection supports the Department’s ability to track and understand the States’ uses of Federal funds, and to determine whether the uses are effective in addressing traffic safety issues. It also allows the agency to ensure that the funds are being used for the purposes specified by statute and NHTSA guidance.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information is automated.

During the past several years, numerous steps have been taken to reduce the burden of paperwork on the States. In all cases, the information is submitted electronically through the agency’s grant tracking system, making revisions and updates easy to provide.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

Because this information is unique, and has little value to others not associated with the managing and tracking of Federal grant funds for traffic safety purposes, there is virtually no possibility that this data is being collected through another source. For all grant programs administered by the agency, the information is collected through its grant tracking system and States are not required to make duplicate entries.

5. Describe efforts to minimize burden on small businesses.

This item does not apply. States are the only eligible recipients for these grant programs.

6. Describe the impact if the collection of information is not collected or collected less frequently.

Requiring a collection less frequent than what occurs now would reduce the agency’s ability to responsibly track the use of grant funds each fiscal year and to make determinations about whether grant funds provided to the States are achieving their statutory purpose.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection of information to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines set forth in 5 CFR 1320.6.

The procedures specified for this information collection are consistent with the guidelines set forth in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. Provide a copy of the FEDERAL REGISTER document soliciting comments on extending the collection of information, a summary of all public comments responding to the notice, and a description of the agency’s actions in response to the comments.

The agency published a 60-day Federal Register notice on June 24, 2011 (76 FR 37189) soliciting comments on the extension of the collection of information under 2127-0653 NHTSA received no comments.

The agency published a 30-day Federal Register notice on June 22, 2012 (77 FR 37738).

Given that this is not a new collection, States are very familiar with the process of using the Program Cost Summary document to identify and track uses of Federal grant funds. The agency does not expect to receive any comments on this collection of information.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

This item is not applicable. No payments or gifts are provided to the respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents.

This item is not applicable. The information is collected from public documents, records and other sources and is not subject to confidentiality.

11. Provide additional justification for any collection of sensitive information.

This item is not applicable. There is no personal information collected.

12. Provide estimate of burden hours for collection of information requested.

(1) Estimated number of respondents....................................................................................

- 56 (fifty States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) for Section 1906;

- 57 (fifty States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Bureau of Indian Affairs) for Section 2006 (codified at 23 U.S.C. § 408); and

- 52 (fifty States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) for Section 2011.

(2) Estimated hours per respondent..................................................................................90

(3) Estimated annual burden hours..............................................................................................................................5130

The estimated number of respondents is based on the number of eligible States, as prescribed by SAFETEA-LU, under each program. We estimate that for each of these grant programs, it will take approximately 30 hours to collect, review and submit the reporting information to NHTSA.

Based on an estimated cost of $50 per hour, each response to all programs is estimated to cost each respondent $4,500. If all eligible States applied for and received grants for all programs, the total cost on all respondents would be $234,000. As a result, these estimates present the highest possible burden hours and amounts possible. All States do not apply for and receive a grant each year under each of these programs.

13. Provide estimate of the total annual costs burden.

Not applicable. There is no capital, start-up or annual operation and maintenance costs involved with the collection of information.

14. Provide estimate of annualized costs to the Federal Government.

The estimated annualized costs to the Federal Government are based on the amount of time spent on review by program staff in the Office of Regional Operations and Program Delivery. We estimate that at an average cost of $50 per hour and an estimated level of 10 hours per respondent applies, and the total cost, if every State applies for each grant program, would be $78,000.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14.

The program change is a result of the reinstatement of this ICR, which will add an additional 5,130 burden hours to NHTSA’s overall total.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication.

This item is not applicable. There are no plans to publish this information.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

Approval is not being sought to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions,” of OMB Form 83-1.

There are no exceptions.

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