SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background: NHTSA announces its intent to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for Tire Safety in accordance with the Negotiated Rulemaking Act, 5 U.S.C. 561, et seq. and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. ch. 10. In a negotiated rulemaking, an agency invites representatives of interested parties likely to be significantly affected by a regulation to work with each other and the agency on an advisory committee to seek to reach consensus recommendations on the appropriate resolution of the issues before the committee. If a consensus is reached, the Department will issue a proposed rule consistent with that consensus for public comment under established rulemaking procedures.

This committee would be formed to assist NHTSA, an operating administration of the Department, with the development of consensus recommendations to inform a rulemaking proposal to modernize existing tire requirements and test procedures under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) and the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act (TREAD), Public Law 106-414. Specifically, the committee would be tasked with developing a detailed term sheet consisting of consensus recommendations to inform the agency's rulemaking proposal.

Consistent with its authority, NHTSA has determined that establishing a negotiated rulemaking committee is necessary and in the public interest based on agency regulatory review activities and stakeholder feedback. Previous actions included a prior request for comments concerning existing rules and agency actions that are candidates for repeal, replacement, suspension, or modification. Specifically, NHTSA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on the continued necessity and effectiveness of current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for tires.^[1] In response, the agency received comments from stakeholders highlighting the need to lower regulatory burdens and increase safety effectiveness by addressing existing and longstanding performance requirements, such as the tire strength (plunger energy) tests, bead unseating resistance tests, and tire ( printed page 67648) endurance tests currently found in FMVSS Nos. 109, 119, and 139.^[2] Furthermore, NHTSA has received official requests for interpretation—such as a recent inquiry from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. regarding the marking and testing of “Extra Load” passenger tires with a maximum inflation pressure of 350 kPa—demonstrating ambiguities in applying current load classification standards to modern tire designs.^[3] These comments and requests underscore the limitations of the existing regulatory framework.

The agency initiated a rulemaking action (RIN 2127-AL96) in the Spring 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (“Unified Agenda”). As detailed in the Unified Agenda abstract for this RIN, the scope of the potential rulemaking and committee discussions would focus on tire testing as well as other tire-related issues.^[4] Through this negotiated rulemaking process, NHTSA would work collaboratively with interested stakeholders to address various topics of modernization. For tire testing, committee discussions would focus on the continued necessity and effectiveness of the tire strength test (plunger energy), the bead unseating resistance test, and the tire endurance test (chunking). For other tire-related issues, the committee would evaluate broader regulatory topics, including the incorporation of non-pneumatic tires, modernization of tire markings, and a specific petition from the Tire and Rim Association (TRA) regarding the inclusion of Load Range F light truck tires in FMVSS No. 139.^[5] Prior comments received from the public have also allowed the agency to identify interested stakeholders that might participate in the negotiated rulemaking process.^[6]

Proposed Agenda and Schedule: The committee would establish a working schedule to develop a rulemaking proposal within its chartered duration. In accordance with FACA, the charter shall terminate two years after the date on which the charter is filed, unless it is renewed by the Secretary. To ensure the committee timely completes its work within its two-year duration, NHTSA intents to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) promptly after the committee submits its consensus recommendations, the Secretary approves them either as submitted or in modified form, and after appropriate consultation with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The Agency expects that the committee will finalize its deliberations and provide its detailed term sheet within the active period of its charter.

The proposed agenda would include the drafting of a consensus report recommending specific regulatory updates. The committee would meet approximately four times per year with additional meetings as necessary to meet assigned tasks. Committee members would be provided with advance notice of any need to increase meeting frequency, and all meeting dates would be published in advance in the Federal Register in accordance with FACA requirements. Meetings would be open to the public and held virtually (or in a hybrid forum that does not require additional use of Federal funds), unless otherwise approved by the Secretary.

Administrative Support: NHTSA would provide the necessary administrative support for the committee. This would include meeting facilities, virtual meeting access capabilities, technical assistance, and document management. In addition, NHTSA would procure the services of a neutral facilitator to manage the committee meetings and assist the members in reaching consensus. Committee members would not receive pay or other compensation for their committee service.

Interests Significantly Affected and Membership: NHTSA has determined that establishing a negotiated rulemaking committee is in the public interest and that there are identifiable interests that would be significantly affected by the rulemaking. These groups include those that manufacture and sell tires in the United States, as well as groups that focus on engineering, safety, and general standard setting. To ensure a range of views among these groups, the agency proposes that the committee would consist of up to 18 members qualified to serve based on their expertise, training, experience, and ability to represent one of the identified categories. In general, appointments would reflect a balance of views and professional backgrounds.

Due to the various groups identified and the desired number of representatives from each, no single group would have a controlling stake in the committee, and the approach would be to achieve consensus on any topic discussed or recommendation produced. The Secretary of Transportation would appoint each member for a single term of two years or until the completion of committee activities, whichever is sooner, unless otherwise renewed in accordance with FACA. All members serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, who may appoint a member or terminate any member's tenure at his discretion. The Secretary also may extend appointments and may appoint replacements for members who resign outside a stated term, as necessary.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 564(a)(4), NHTSA proposes representation from the following groups to reflect the interests significantly affected by this rulemaking:

• Four representatives from tire manufacturers or tire retailers;
• Two representatives from national motor vehicle manufacturers;
• Four representatives from national motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment manufacturing associations;
• Two representatives from national motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment safety organizations;
• Three representatives from educational or research institutions, or testing organizations within the United States; and
• Three representatives from national professional engineering associations or standard-setting associations.

Anyone who feels these categories do not fully represent their interests should detail their reasoning in their comment or membership application. NHTSA requests comments and suggestions regarding its tentative list of significantly affected stakeholder categories from which potential members of the committee may be selected.

Consistent with the Negotiated Rulemaking Act, the committee will also include a representative from NHTSA who will participate fully in the committee's deliberations and is authorized to represent the agency in discussions and negotiations. (5 U.S.C. 566(b)).

Process and Deadline for Submitting Comments and Nominations: As part of establishing the committee, NHTSA is seeking public feedback. NHTSA welcomes public reviews of all aspects of the negotiated rulemaking committee described in this Notice, and requests comments specifically on (1) the ( printed page 67649) proposed scope of the committee and (2) the proposed balance of representation on the committee. NHTSA will consider the comments and information received in establishing its Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Tire Safety.

Applications from interested individuals. To be considered for appointment, qualified applicants are invited to self-nominate or be nominated by any stakeholder or stakeholder organization by submitting the following information:

• Name, title, and relevant contact (including phone, fax (if available), and email address) of the nominee and a description of the interests the applicant or nominee shall represent;
• A letter of support from a company, association, academic or nonprofit organization on letterhead authorizing the applicant or nominee to represent parties related to the interest the person proposes to represent;
• Short biography of the nominee, including professional and academic credentials; and
• A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall actively participate in good faith in the development of the rule under consideration.

Each applicant must identify the category that he or she seeks to represent. Members should be senior level officials who are authorized to participate on the committee by their organizations and who either are experts on vehicle lighting with respect to the topics of interest to their organizations or who have access to such experts. Individuals applying for membership should keep in mind that committee members are representing a class of interests based on the sector identified and should be prepared to participate in committee activities from that perspective.

Materials submitted should total two pages or less. An applicant should include his or her full legal name and date of birth in the application. Evaluations will be based on publicly available information and the materials submitted. Submissions must be sent to the location listed in the ADDRESSES section by the deadline listed in the DATES section. Applicants selected for appointment to the committee will be notified by return email and by letter of appointment.

Authority: Issued under authority in 49 CFR 1.95.

91 FR 67647