30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of Collection: Arbitration “Opt-In” Notices

Issuing agencies

Abstract

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the collection of Arbitration "Opt-in" Notices, described below.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54904-54905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17328]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD


30-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval of 
Collection: Arbitration ``Opt-In'' Notices

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent 
to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an 
extension of the collection of Arbitration ``Opt-in'' Notices, 
described below.

DATES: Comments on this information collection should be submitted by 
September 24, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration `Opt-In' Notices.'' Written 
comments for the proposed information collection should be submitted 
via <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. This information collection can 
be accessed by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public 
Comments'' or by using the search function. As an alternative, written 
comments may be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Caitlin Chin-
Rothmann, Surface Transportation Board Desk Officer: via email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d5babca7b48aa6a0b7b8bca6a6bcbabb95bab8b7fbb0baa5fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="147b7d66754b676176797d67677d7b7a547b79763a717b643a737b62">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; by fax at (202) 395-1743; or by mail to 
Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503.
    Please also direct all comments to Chris Oehrle, PRA Officer, 
Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-
0001, or to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#164644575665627438717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="174745565764637539707861">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. When submitting comments, please refer to 
``Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Arbitration `Opt-In' Notices.'' For 
further information regarding this collection, contact Mike Higgins at 
(866) 254-1792 (toll-free) or 202-245-0238, or by emailing 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7103120110310205135f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="92e0f1e2f3d2e1e6f0bcf5fde4">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board previously published a notice 
about this collection in the Federal Register (91 FR 35782 (June 12, 
2026)). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment 
period. No comments were received.
    Comments are requested concerning each collection as to (1) whether 
the particular collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Board, including

[[Page 54905]]

whether the collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the 
Board's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be 
included and summarized in the Board's request for OMB approval.

Description of Collection

    Title: Arbitration ``Opt-in'' Notices.
    OMB Control Number: 2140-0020.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension without change.
    Respondents: All regulated rail carriers.
    Number of Respondents: One.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 0.5 hours.
    Total ``Non-hour Burden'' Cost: None identified. Filings are 
submitted electronically to the Board.
    Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR 1108.3, rail carriers subject to the 
Board's jurisdiction may agree to participate in the Board's 
arbitration program by filing a notice with the Board to ``opt in.'' 
Once a rail carrier is participating in the Board's arbitration 
program, it may discontinue its participation only by filing a notice 
to ``opt out'' with the Board, which would become effective 90 days 
after its filing.
    Under the PRA, a federal agency that conducts or sponsors a 
collection of information must display a currently valid OMB control 
number. A collection of information, which is defined in 44 U.S.C. 
3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c), includes agency requirements that persons 
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to the agency, 
third parties, or the public. Section 3507(b) of the PRA requires, 
concurrent with an agency's submitting a collection to OMB for 
approval, a 30-day notice and comment period through publication in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, 
including each proposed extension of an existing collection of 
information.

    Dated: August 21, 2026.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2026-17328 Filed 8-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P


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