New
collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)
No
Regular
12/19/2024
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
102
0
791
0
279,965
0
This information collection request
(ICR) relates to three new forms necessary for the efficient
operation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s
(NHTSA) whistleblower program, as established by 49 U.S.C. § 30172
(the Whistleblower Act). The Whistleblower Act authorizes the
Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to pay an award to
eligible whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original
information, if the information provided leads to the successful
resolution of a covered action. The three forms are the WB-INFO
form, the WB-AWARD form, and the WB-RELEASE form. All of the
information collections are collected on an as-needed basis. One of
the information collections is completely voluntary and the other
two are voluntary, but required to receive a benefit. Under the
final rule, a potential whistleblower is required to submit a
WB-INFO form and to submit a WB-AWARD form in order to qualify for
a whistleblower award. A potential whistleblower may choose to
voluntarily submit the WB-RELEASE form. Only minor changes, for
clarity, were made to the forms in the final rule. The WB-INFO form
will be used to permit NHTSA and its staff to collect information
from potential whistleblowers about themselves, their legal
representatives, and their allegations relating to any potential
violation of the Safety Act or regulation thereunder. If a
potential whistleblower proceeds anonymously, the individual must
have a legal representative. That legal representative will retain
their client’s signed WB-INFO form. The WB-AWARD form will permit
NHTSA to collect information relating to a claimant’s eligibility
for an award. This will allow NHTSA’s Administrator to determine
claims for whistleblower awards. The WB-RELEASE form will provide a
means for the potential whistleblower to provide consent for NHTSA
to disclose information which could reasonably be expected to
reveal the identity of the potential whistleblower. Being able to
disclose this information may allow NHTSA to open a public
investigation or proceed more efficiently with an investigation
into the potential whistleblower’s allegations. The likely
respondents to the forms (the WB-INFO, the WB-AWARD, and the
WB-RELEASE form) are those employees or contractors of motor
vehicle manufacturers, part suppliers, and dealerships who wish to
provide NHTSA with information relating to any potential motor
vehicle defect, potential noncompliance, or any violation or
alleged violation of any notification or reporting requirement of
the Safety Act or regulation thereunder. The anticipated recipients
of the WB-INFO, WB-AWARD and WB-RELEASE forms are those individuals
at NHTSA who have a need to know the information. This may include
attorneys in NHTSA’s Office of the Chief Counsel and staff in
NHTSA’s Office of Enforcement.
US Code:
49
USC 30172 Name of Law: the Whistleblower Act
This is the implementation of a
new program. NHTSA estimates that the burden hours will be 750
hours for the WB-INFO form, 11.25 hours for the WB-RELEASE form, 20
hours for the WB-AWARD form, and 10 hours for private counsel to
review a binding nondisclosure agreement. The estimated annual
burden hour total for this information collection is 791 hours
(rounded).
$11,382
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Dan Rabinovitz 202
366-8534
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form NHTSA Form 1686 WB-AWARD-Individual with Legal Representative
2024-12-17 - PRA Supporting Statement for NHTSA's Whistleblower Final Rule (002).docx
Optional Private Counsel for Binding Nondisclosure Agreement