49 U.S.C. Section 5317-New Freedom Program

This information collection (IC) request is for a three-year extension without change of a currently approved information collection under OMB control number 2132-0565 - 49 U.S.C. Section 5317 New Freedom Program. The response to the collection is required to obtain or retain a benefit, as the reporting of information is required to obtain federal assistance to states, local governments, private nonprofit agencies, and public transportation authorities. The New Freedom Program made grants available to assist states and designated recipients to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Eligible recipients included states and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Sub-recipients included state or local government authorities, nonprofit organizations, and operators of public transportation or intercity bus service. The New Freedom Program was repealed by Congress under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). However, funds previously authorized for programs repealed by MAP–21 remain available for their originally authorized purposes until the period of availability expires, the funds are fully expended, the funds are rescinded by Congress, or the funds are otherwise reallocated. To meet program oversight responsibilities, FTA must continue to collect information until the period of availability expires. The last year of federal funding was Fiscal Year 2012, and any unobligated funding from that year lapsed at the end of Fiscal Year 2015 (September 30, 2015). Therefore, there are new applications under this program and the application stage is eliminated. The information being reported are annual milestone reports for grants that still have reporting requirements. These annual reports are submitted to FTA’s staff electronically once a year. The current estimated respondents are decreased from 106 to 33 and the new estimated annual burden hours is 1,320. As older grants are expended and closed, there is fewer project management reports submitted. This IC will likely be discontinued during the next 3 years.

The latest form for 49 U.S.C. Section 5317-New Freedom Program expires 2026-12-31 and is listed under ICR 202308-2132-001.