83 FR 23525 - Notice of Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Agency Request To Modify Existing Information Collections: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) and Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit Programs
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 98 (May 21, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 98 (May 21, 2018)
| Page Range | 23525-23527 | |
| FR Document | 2018-10033 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 23525-23527] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-10033] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. DOT-OST-2018-0044] Notice of Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Agency Request To Modify Existing Information Collections: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) and Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit Programs AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Transportation (the Department) invites public comments on a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve modifications to two currently approved Information Collection Requests (ICRs). As part of the modifications to the ICRs, one ICR will be integrated into the other ICR. The modified and integrated ICR will be used to allow entities to apply for Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) and Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance using a common set of forms, rather than having a separate set of forms for each of RRIF and TIFIA. The new, integrated forms have also been updated to reflect changes in law, streamlining of the credit programs, and efficiencies in the application process adopted by the Department. However, the general process of applying for credit assistance is not changing; applications are still accepted on a rolling basis. The ICR continues to be necessary for the Department to evaluate projects and project sponsors for credit program eligibility and creditworthiness as required by law. DATES: We must receive your comments on or before July 20, 2018. ADDRESSES: All comments should reference Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. DOT-OST-2018-0044. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection through one of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Fax: 1-202-493-2251. Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jenny Barket at Jenny.Barket@dot.gov or (202) 366-9993, or The Build America Bureau via email at BuildAmerica@dot.gov or (202) 366-2300. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 2105-0569. Title: Letter of Interest and Application Forms for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing and Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act Credit Programs. Type of Review: Modification of existing information collections. Background: The RRIF credit program has its origins in Title V of the Railroad [[Page 23526]] Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, 45 U.S.C. 821 et seq., which authorized the Federal Railroad Administration to provide railroads certain financial assistance. This Title V financing program was replaced by the RRIF program under section 7203 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998, Public Law 105- 178 (1998) (TEA 21). RRIF was subsequently amended by: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 109-59 (2005) (SAFETEA-LU); the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Division A of Public Law 110-432; and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114-94) (2015) (FAST Act). All applicants for RRIF credit program assistance are required to submit a completed application. 45 U.S.C. 823(a). The information collection activity request for the RRIF credit program application was most recently approved in 2015 (OMB Control Number 2130-0548). See 80 FR 11518 and 80 FR 27228. The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 was enacted as part of TEA 21. The TIFIA program was subsequently amended by SAFETEA-LU, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112-141) (2012) (MAP-21), and the FAST Act. All applicants for TIFIA credit program assistance are required to submit a completed LOI and application. 23 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A). The existing information collection activity request for the TIFIA credit program letter of interest and application was most recently approved in 2017 (OMB Control Number 2105-0569). See 82 FR 15101 and 82 FR 25045. The National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau (referenced hereafter as the Build America Bureau or the Bureau), established by the Secretary on July 20, 2016, in accordance with the FAST Act, was created to streamline and improve access to the Department's Federal credit programs, including RRIF and TIFIA. The Bureau was made responsible for administering the application processes for the TIFIA and RRIF credit programs. To streamline and conform these application processes, the Bureau has integrated the submission forms to create a single LOI form and a single application form that can be used by applicants of either credit program. The integrated forms substantially conform to the LOI and application forms approved under OMB Control Number 2105-0569. The Department seeks OMB approval to integrate the RRIF ICR into the TIFIA ICR. The integrated information collection activity would retain OMB Control Number 2105-0569 and the RRIF ICR would be discontinued if the integrated RRIF/TIFIA ICR is approved. The integrated forms have also been reviewed to ensure that all information requested is necessary for the Department to properly perform its functions in administering its credit programs, updated to reflect the current statutory requirements, and reorganized to make the forms easier for applicants to use. Because some key statutory differences exist between the two programs' application processes and eligibility criteria, each of the forms clearly identifies where an item of information applies only for one of the programs and need not be answered by applicants of the other program. The TIFIA application process is prescribed by 23 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A) and requires submission of an LOI. If the LOI demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of satisfying the TIFIA program's statutory eligibility requirements, including creditworthiness, the Department will invite the applicant to submit a formal credit application. Laws governing the RRIF credit program do not require that an LOI be submitted prior to a formal application. Practically, however, since 45 U.S.C. 822 requires RRIF applicants to submit an application demonstrating compliance with eligibility requirements, the Bureau encourages RRIF applicants to submit an LOI before submitting an application. The Department believes that submitting an LOI before submitting an application will significantly increase the likelihood that a formal RRIF application will be substantially complete on the first submission and reduce the time and effort of reaching financial close on a credit instrument. The Department is authorized to prescribe the form and contents of the LOI and application. 45 U.S.C. 823 and 23 U.S.C. 601(a)(6). The integrated LOI and application can be found on the Bureau's website at https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica. The LOI asks the applicant to describe, among other things, the project and its location, purpose and cost; the proposed financial plan, the status of environmental review, and certain information regarding satisfaction of other eligibility requirements under the applicable credit program. The application serves as the official request for credit and, therefore, requires the same information required of the LOI, plus detailed information about the applicant's legal and management structure, its financial health, the revenue stream pledged to repay the loan, and other information regarding satisfaction of eligibility requirements. TIFIA and RRIF credit assistance is awarded based on a project's satisfaction of TIFIA and RRIF (as applicable) eligibility requirements. Respondents: State and local governments, transit agencies, government-sponsored authorities, special authorities, special districts, ports, private railroads, and certain other private entities Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: Based on the number and type of interested stakeholders that have contacted the Department about the RRIF and TIFIA programs in fiscal years (FY) 2015-2018, the Department estimates that it will receive, on an annual basis, eight (8) RRIF letters of interest (LOIs), twelve (12) TIFIA LOIs, eight (8) RRIF applications, and twelve (12) TIFIA applications. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The Department estimates that it will generally take applicants not fewer than twenty (20) person- hours to assemble a single LOI (for either credit program) and not fewer than one hundred (100) person-hours to assemble a single application (for either credit program). (Person-hour estimates provided for a RRIF application assume that the applicant will initially submit an LOI, reducing the number of person-hours spent on the application.) These estimates are consistent with the approved ICR for TIFIA under OMB Control Number 2105-0569. Based on the anticipated annual total number of respondents, the total annual hour burden of this collection for RRIF LOIs and applications is 960 and for TIFIA LOIs and applications is 1,440 hours. Frequency of Collection: This information collection will occur on a rolling basis as interested entities seek RRIF or TIFIA credit assistance. Public Comments Invited: The Department invites interested respondents to comment on a proposed information collection activity (summarized below) with respect to: (i) Whether the information collection activities are necessary for the Department to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of the Department's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways for the Department to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for the Department to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the [[Page 23527]] public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)-(iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). The Department believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In summary, the Department reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2018. Habib Azarsina, Privacy and PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018-10033 Filed 5-17-18; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
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capability to accept such information Frequency: For each respondent, one Reduction Act of 1995, the Department
directly from the carriers, DOT made a information set for the month of of Transportation (the Department)
technical change in the rule on February December, plus one information set invites public comments on a request to
14, 2005, to require air carriers to during some other months (1 to 12). the Office of Management and Budget
submit the required information directly Estimated Total Burden on (OMB) to approve modifications to two
to DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Respondents: (1) Monthly reports of currently approved Information
Division (ACPD) rather than APHIS and incidents involving the loss, injury, or Collection Requests (ICRs). As part of
to make the rule part of DOT’s economic death of animals during air transport: 0 the modifications to the ICRs, one ICR
regulations.2 to 384 hours (Respondents [32] × Time will be integrated into the other ICR.
On July 3, 2014, DOT published a to Prepare One Monthly Report [1 hour] The modified and integrated ICR will be
final rule amending the requirement × Frequency [0 to 12 per year]). (2) used to allow entities to apply for
that air carriers file reports with DOT on December report containing the total Railroad Rehabilitation and
the loss, injury, or death of animals number of animals that were lost, Improvement Financing (RRIF) and
during air transport.3 The rule (1) injured, or died during air transport in Transportation Infrastructure Financing
expanded the reporting requirement the calendar year and the total number and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit
from the largest U.S. carriers (i.e., U.S. of animals that were transported in the assistance using a common set of forms,
carriers that account for at least 1 calendar year: 16 hours (Respondents rather than having a separate set of
percent of domestic scheduled [32] × Time to Prepare One December forms for each of RRIF and TIFIA. The
passenger revenue) to U.S. carriers that Report [0.5 hour] × Frequency (1 per new, integrated forms have also been
operate scheduled service with at least year)]. updated to reflect changes in law,
one aircraft with a design capacity of Public comments invited: You are streamlining of the credit programs, and
more than 60 seats; (2) expanded the asked to comment on any aspect of this efficiencies in the application process
definition of ‘‘animal’’ from only a pet information collection, including (a) adopted by the Department. However,
in a family household to include all cats whether the proposed collection of the general process of applying for
and dogs transported by covered information is necessary for the credit assistance is not changing;
carriers, regardless of whether the cat or Department’s performance; (b) the applications are still accepted on a
dog is transported as a pet by its owner accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) rolling basis. The ICR continues to be
or as part of a commercial shipment ways for the Department to enhance the necessary for the Department to evaluate
(e.g., shipped by a breeder); (3) required quality, utility, and clarity of the projects and project sponsors for credit
covered carriers to file a calendar-year information collection; and (d) ways program eligibility and creditworthiness
report in December, even if the carrier that the burden could be minimized as required by law.
did not have any reportable incidents without reducing the quality of the DATES: We must receive your comments
during the calendar year; (4) required collected information. on or before July 20, 2018.
covered carriers to provide in their All comments will become a matter of
ADDRESSES: All comments should
December reports the total number of public record. All responses to this
notice will be summarized and included reference Federal Docket Management
animals that were lost, injured, or died System (FDMS) Docket No. DOT–OST–
during air transport in the calendar year; in the request for OMB approval.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction 2018–0044. Interested persons are
and (5) required covered carriers to invited to submit written comments on
provide in their December reports the Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as
amended; and 49 CFR 1.27(n). the proposed information collection
total number of animals transported in through one of the following methods:
the calendar year. On August 25, 2015, Issued in Washington, DC, on May 15, • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
OMB approved the information 2018, under the authority delegated at 49
CFR 1.27(n).
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
collection request, ‘‘Reports by Air instructions for submitting comments.
Blane A. Workie,
Carriers on Incidents Involving Animals • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
During Air Transport,’’ through August Assistant General Counsel for Aviation • Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
31, 2018. Enforcement and Proceedings. Management Facility, U.S. Department
In order to reduce burden to covered [FR Doc. 2018–10763 Filed 5–18–18; 8:45 am] of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
carriers, the ACPD established a website BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–
and online system for filing the required 140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
reports, http://animalreport.ost.dot.gov. a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
This system enables covered carriers to DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Friday, except on Federal holidays.
easily and efficiently submit their [Docket No. DOT–OST–2018–0044] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
reports through the internet rather than Jenny Barket at Jenny.Barket@dot.gov or
sending the reports to the Department Notice of Proposed Agency (202) 366–9993, or The Build America
by mail or email. Information Collection Activities; Bureau via email at BuildAmerica@
Respondents: U.S. carriers that Agency Request To Modify Existing dot.gov or (202) 366–2300.
operate scheduled passenger service Information Collections: Railroad
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
with at least one aircraft having a Rehabilitation and Improvement OMB Control Number: 2105–0569.
designed seating capacity of more than Financing (RRIF) and Transportation Title: Letter of Interest and
60 seats. Infrastructure Financing and Application Forms for the Railroad
Estimated Number of Respondents: Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit Programs
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Rehabilitation and Improvement
32. Financing and Transportation
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary,
Department of Transportation. Infrastructure Financing and Innovation
2 Reports by Air Carriers on Incidents Involving
ACTION: Notice and request for Act Credit Programs.
Animals During Air Transport, 70 FR 7392
(February 14, 2005). comments. Type of Review: Modification of
3 Reports by Air Carriers on Incidents Involving existing information collections.
Animals During Air Transport, 79 FR 37938 (July SUMMARY: In accordance with the Background: The RRIF credit program
3, 2014) (codified at 14 CFR part 235). requirements of the Paperwork has its origins in Title V of the Railroad
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 98 / Monday, May 21, 2018 / Notices 23527
public by automated, electronic, directed to Sara Covington, at Internal through the use of automated collection
mechanical, or other technological Revenue Service, Room 6526, 1111 techniques or other forms of information
collection techniques or other forms of Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, technology; and (e) estimates of capital
information technology (e.g., permitting DC 20224, or at (202) 317–6038, or or start-up costs and costs of operation,
electronic submission of responses). See through the internet at maintenance, and purchase of services
44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)–(iv); 5 CFR Sara.L.Covington@irs.gov. to provide information.
1320.8(d)(1)(i)–(iv). The Department SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approved: May 14, 2018.
believes that soliciting public comment Title: Amortization of Intangible Laurie Brimmer,
will promote its efforts to reduce the Property. Senior Tax Analyst.
administrative and paperwork burdens OMB Number: 1545–1671. [FR Doc. 2018–10741 Filed 5–18–18; 8:45 am]
associated with the collection of Regulation Project Number: REG–
information mandated by Federal BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
209709–94 (TD 8865).
regulations. In summary, the Abstract: These regulations apply to
Department reasons that comments property acquired after January 25, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
received will advance three objectives: 2000. Regulations to implement section
(i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure 197(e)(4)(D) are applicable August 11, Internal Revenue Service
that it organizes information collection 1993, for property acquired after August
requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format 10, 1993 (or July 26, 1991, for property Proposed Collection; Comment
to improve the use of such information; acquired after July 25, 1991, if a valid Request for Regulation Project
and (iii) accurately assess the resources retroactive election has been made
expended to retrieve and produce AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
under § 1.197–1).
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. Treasury.
Current Actions: There are no change
3501. being made to the regulation at this ACTION: Notice and request for
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction time. comments.
Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as Type of Review: Extension of a
amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. SUMMARY: The Internal Revenue Service,
currently approved collection. as part of its continuing effort to reduce
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2018. Affected Public: Business or other for- paperwork and respondent burden,
Habib Azarsina, profit organizations. invites the general public and other
Privacy and PRA Clearance Officer, Office Estimated Number of Respondents: Federal agencies to take this
of the Secretary. 500. opportunity to comment on proposed
[FR Doc. 2018–10033 Filed 5–17–18; 11:15 am] Estimated Time per Respondent: 3 and/or continuing information
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
hours. collections, as required by the
Estimated Total Annual Burden Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The
Hours: 1,500. IRS is soliciting comments concerning
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY The following paragraph applies to all Form 8928, Return of Certain Excise
of the collections of information covered Taxes Under Chapter 43 of the Internal
Internal Revenue Service by this notice: Revenue Code and information
An agency may not conduct or collection requirements related to
Proposed Collection; Comment sponsor, and a person is not required to employer comparable contributions of
Request for Regulation Project respond to, a collection of information HSAs and requirement for filing excise
unless the collection of information tax under section 4980B, 4980D, 4980E
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), displays a valid OMB control number.
Treasury. & 4980G.
Books or records relating to a
ACTION: Notice and request for DATES: Written comments should be
collection of information must be
comments. received on or before July 20, 2018 to be
retained as long as their contents may
assured of consideration.
SUMMARY: The Internal Revenue Service, become material in the administration
of any internal revenue law. Generally, ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
as part of its continuing effort to reduce to Laurie Brimmer, Internal Revenue
paperwork and respondent burden, tax returns and tax return information
are confidential, as required by 26 Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution
invites the general public and other Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224.
Federal agencies to take this U.S.C. 6103.
Request for Comments: Comments FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: :
opportunity to comment on information
submitted in response to this notice will Requests for additional information or
collections, as required by the
be summarized and/or included in the copies of this regulation should be
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The
request for OMB approval. All directed to Sara Covington, at Internal
IRS is soliciting comments concerning
comments will become a matter of Revenue Service, Room 6525, 1111
information collection requirements
public record. Comments are invited on: Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
related to amortization of intangible
(a) Whether the collection of DC 20224, or at (202)317–6038 or
property.
information is necessary for the proper through the internet at
DATES: Written comments should be performance of the functions of the Sara.L.Covington@irs.gov.
received on or before July 20, 2018 to be agency, including whether the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
assured of consideration. information shall have practical utility; Title: Form 8928—Return of Certain
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate Excise Taxes Under Chapter 43 of the
to Laurie Brimmer, Internal Revenue of the burden of the collection of Internal Revenue Code & TD 9457—
Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution information; (c) ways to enhance the Employer Comparable Contributions to
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20224. quality, utility, and clarity of the HSAs and requirement of Return for
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: information to be collected; (d) ways to filing excise taxes under sections
Requests for additional information or minimize the burden of the collection of 4980B,4980D,4980E and4980G.
copies of the regulation should be information on respondents, including OMB Number: 1545–2146.
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Document Created: 2018-11-02 11:07:17
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 11:07:17
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | We must receive your comments on or before July 20, 2018. | |
| Contact | Jenny Barket at [email protected] or (202) 366-9993, or The Build America Bureau via email at [email protected] or (202) 366-2300. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 23525 |
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