30-Day FRN Title VI as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs

This document is scheduled to be published in the
Federal Register on 08/14/2020 and available online at
federalregister.gov/d/2020-17776, and on govinfo.gov

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
[FTA Docket No. FTA 2020-0008]
Agency Information Collection Activity under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that
the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of
the information collection and their expected burdens.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE
OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain
Find this particular information collection by selecting "Currently under 30-day Review - Open for
Public Comments" or by using the search function.
Comments are Invited On: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the

proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department’s 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.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration,
Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue., SE., Mail Stop TAD-10, Washington,
DC 20590 (202) 366-0354 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Pub. L.

No. 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 October
18, 2019, FTA published a 60-day notice (84 FR 56012) in the Federal Register soliciting
comments on the ICR that the agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments
after issuing this 60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection
activities have been re-evaluated 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 requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB
as required by the PRA.
Title: Title VI as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs
OMB Control Number: 2132-0540
Type of Request: Renewal of a previously approved information collection
Abstract: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) states:
“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin,
be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
To achieve this purpose, each Federal department and agency which provides financial
assistance for any program or activity is authorized and directed by the Department of Justice
(DOJ) to effectuate provisions of Title VI for each program or activity by issuing generally
applicable regulations or requirements. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued its
regulations implementing this DOJ mandate.
In this regard, the responsibility of the FTA is to ensure that Federally-supported transit
services and benefits are distributed by applicants, recipients, and subrecipients of FTA
assistance in a manner consistent with Title VI. The employment practices of a grant applicant,
recipient, or sub-recipient are also covered under Title VI if the primary purpose of the FTAsupported program is to provide employment or if those employment practices would result in
discrimination against beneficiaries of FTA-assisted services and benefits.
FTA policies and requirements are designed to clarify and strengthen Title VI (service
equity) procedures for FTA grant recipients by requiring submission of written plans and
approval of such plans by the agency. All project sponsors receiving financial assistance
pursuant to an FTA-funded project shall not discriminate in the provision of services because of

race, color, or national origin. Experience has demonstrated that a program requirement at the
application stage is necessary to assure that benefits and services are equitably distributed by
grant recipients. The requirements prescribed by the Office of Civil Rights are designed to
accomplish this objective and diminish possible vestiges of discrimination among FTA grant
recipients. FTA’s assessment of the requirements indicated that the formulation and
implementation of the Title VI Program should occur with a decrease in costs to such applicants
and recipients.
Respondents: Transit agencies, States, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 284 (45 hours for each of the 100 more specific
Title VI Program submissions; 1 hour for each of the 183 general Title VI Program
submissions)
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,684 hours
Frequency: Annual

Nadine Pembleton,
Director Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2020-17776 Filed: 8/13/2020 8:45 am; Publication Date: 8/14/2020]