Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: 49 U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a request for an extension without change to an existing information collection: 49 U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 193 (Wednesday, October 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 7, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 64217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20515]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2026-0299]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: 49 
U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a 
request for an extension without change to an existing information 
collection: 49 U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before December 7, 2026.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once 
into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by 
only one of the following methods:
    1. Website: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions 
for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. 
All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government 
electronic docket site at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Commenters 
should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered 
comments.
    2. Fax: 202-366-7951.
    3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number 
for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of 
your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has 
received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note 
that all comments received, including any personal information, will be 
posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to 
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 
19477), or you may visit <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and 
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. 
Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Destiny Buchanan at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f195948285989f88df93849299909f909fb1959e85df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="24404157504d4a5d0a4651474c454a454a64404b500a434b52">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to 
minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the 
collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of 
this information collection.
    Title: 49 U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program.
    OMB Number: 2132-0565.
    Background: The purpose of the New Freedom program was to make 
grants available to assist states and designated recipients to reduce 
barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation 
mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the 
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The 
New Freedom program was repealed in 2012 with the enactment of the 
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). However, 
funds previously authorized for programs repealed by MAP-21 remain 
available for their originally authorized purposes until the period of 
availability expires, the funds are fully expended, the funds are 
rescinded by Congress, or the funds are otherwise reallocated.
    According to data from the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), 
open grants have decreased to 13. This represents a 60% reduction in 
the respondent universe from the previous PRA renewal cycle as FTA 
collaborates with grantees to close out legacy grants. As older grants 
are fully expended, project management report submissions continue to 
decline. This downward trend will persist until all remaining grants 
are closed.
    To meet ongoing oversight responsibilities, FTA must continue to 
collect information while funds remain active. Grant recipients are 
required to make information available to the public and publish a 
program of projects identifying the subrecipients and projects 
receiving financial assistance. FTA uses this information to monitor 
grantee progress in implementing and completing project activities.
    Respondents: State or local government, private non-profit 
organizations and public transportation authorities.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 13.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 156.
    Frequency: Annually.

Kusum Dhyani,
Director, Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2026-20515 Filed 10-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P


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