SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 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 July 28, 2025, FTA published a 60-day notice (90 FR 35572) 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 also60 FR 44978, 44983. 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. 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 also60 FR 44983.

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: Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program Section 5309.

OMB Control Number: 2132-0561.

Background: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is requesting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 3-year approval of an extension without change for a currently approved collection. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) administers the discretionary Capital Investment Grants (CIG) grant program under 49 U.S.C. 5309 that provides funding for major transit capital investments including heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail, streetcar, bus rapid transit, and ferries. Three types of eligible projects are outlined in law: smaller scaled transit capital projects known as “Small Starts”; new fixed guideway transit systems and extensions to existing fixed guideway systems known as “New Starts”; and projects to improve overall system capacity in existing fixed guideway corridors, known as “Core Capacity”. The CIG program has a longstanding requirement that FTA evaluate proposed projects against a prescribed set of statutory criteria at specific points during the projects' development including when they seek to enter a subsequent phase of the process or a construction grant agreement. In addition, FTA must report on its evaluations and ratings annually to Congress.

The current Federal Public Transportation Law, 49 U.S.C. 5309, has not changed the statutorily defined project justification and local financial commitment criteria that are the subject of this information collection. In addition, the statutorily required approval steps for projects seeking CIG funds have not changed. FTA will seek comment from stakeholders through the publication of a separate Federal Register Notice outside of the PRA process. In general, the information used by FTA for CIG project evaluation and rating should arise as a part of the normal project planning process.

Estimated Total Annual Respondents: 155.

Estimated Annual Total Responses: 55,720.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 2,870,695.

Frequency: Annually.

90 FR 47495