# Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-29268 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** November 9, 1999 - **Citation:** 64 FR 61177 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The nature of the information collection is described as well as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 8, 1999, at 64 FR 36831. Three respondents submitted comments pertaining to the collection. These are reviewed later in this notice. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 9, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hokana, Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping, Maritime Administration, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, Telephone 202-366-0760, or FAX 202-366-6988. Copies of this collection can also be obtained from that office. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Maritime Administration (MARAD) Title: Application for Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for Small Passenger Vessels. OMB Control Number: 2133-NEW. Type of Request: Approval of a new request. Affected Public: Small passenger vessel owners desirous of operating in the coastwise trade. Form(s): None. Abstract: Owners of ship vessels desiring waiver of the coastwise trade laws affecting small passenger vessels will be required to file a written application and justification for waiver to the Maritime Administration (MARAD). The agency will review the application and make a determination whether to grant the requested waiver. Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 100 hours. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention MARAD Desk Officer. Comments Are Invited on Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Comments Received in Response to 60-Day Comment Period On July 8, 1999, a notice was published in the Federal Register, 64 FR [[Page 61178]] 36831, requesting comments within 60 days on this information collection. Three respondents submitted comments. One concurred, indicating it appeared all interests have been served by the wording and thought behind this measure. The second respondent made three recommendations: (1) Eliminate the geographical region of intended operation and trade. MARAD's response--Non-concur, we find it necessary to require the geographical region in order to make the necessary determination of adverse affect of the requested waiver. (2) Eliminate the requirement to include impact on other commercial passenger vessel operators in the application for waiver. MARAD's response--Non-concur, the information on impact is needed to determine the adverse affect, if any, and is therefore retained in the application information collection requirements. (3) Eliminate the application fee. MARAD's response--Non-concur, the application fee will be retained as it is Federal policy to assess a ``user charge'' against each identifiable recipient for special benefits derived from Federal activities beyond those received by the general public (Office of Management and Budget Circular A-25, ``User Charges,'' July 8, 1993). Processing a waiver application would provide such a special benefit. The third respondent proposed a number of changes to the proposed regulation. All comments are addressed in the preamble to the final rule. Here, we are concerned only with the four comments relevant to the information collection requirements: (1) Suggest that only the owner of the vessel should be able to submit a waiver application. MARAD's response--Concur, we have revised the rule to reflect this requirement. (2) Suggest the applicant be required to provide a statement explaining the duration of the applicant's ownership of the vessel, his cost of purchasing or otherwise obtaining the vessel, and the uses to which he has put the vessel since obtaining it. MARAD's response--We believe these questions are unnecessary for MARAD to effectively carry out its responsibilities under Title V of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998. (3) The association supports the application fee of $300. (4) Require that no substantial change in employment of the vessel in the coastwise trade may be made without prior notice to MARAD. MARAD's response--Concur, we have added this requirement to the final rule, indicating that failure to provide advance notice may effect an immediate revocation of the waiver under section 388.5. Issued in Washington, DC on November 3, 1999. Joel C. Richard, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. 99-29268 Filed 11-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-81-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-29268. Public record. Not legal advice.