To prescribe requirements for certification by the states that evidence of proof of payment is obtained either before vehicles subject to the Federal heavy vehicle use tax are lawfully registered or within 4 months after being lawfully registered if a suspension registration system is implemented.

It is the policy of the FHWA that each state require registrants of heavy trucks as described in 26 CFR part 41 to provide proof of payment of the vehicle use tax either before lawfully registering or within 4 months after lawfully registering such vehicles as provided for under a suspension registration system.

The objective of this regulation is to establish realistic and workable procedures for an annual certification process to provide suitable evidence that an effective program is being conducted by the states and to ensure that the states are not registering vehicles which have not been accounted for under the tax collection procedures instituted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The Governor of each State, or his or her designee, shall certify to the FHWA before January 1 of each year that it is obtaining proof-of-payment of the heavy vehicle use tax as a condition of registration in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 141(c). The certification shall cover the 12-month period ending September 30, except for the certification due on January 1, 2011, which shall cover the 4-month period from June 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010.

The certification shall consist of the following elements:

(a) A statement by the Governor of the state or a state official designated by the Governor, that evidence of payment of the heavy vehicle use tax is being obtained as a condition of registration for all vehicles subject to such tax. The statement shall include the inclusive dates of the period during which payment of the heavy vehicle use tax was verified as a condition of registration.

(b) The certifying statement required by paragraph (a) of this section shall be worded as follows:

(c) For the initial certification, submit a copy of any state law or regulation pertaining to the implementation of 23 U.S.C. 141(c); for subsequent certifications, submit a copy of any new or revised laws and regulations pertaining to the implementation of 23 U.S.C. 141(c).

The Governor or an official designated by the Governor, shall each year submit the certification, including the supporting material specified in § 669.9 to the FHWA Division Administrator prior to January 1.

If a State fails to certify as required by this regulation or if the Secretary of Transportation determines that a State is not adequately obtaining proof-of-payment of the heavy vehicle use tax as a condition of registration notwithstanding the State's certification, Federal-aid highway funds apportioned to the State under 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1) for the next fiscal year shall be reduced in an amount up to 8 percent as determined by the Secretary.

(a) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in nonconformity with the requirements of this part will be advised of the funds expected to be withheld from apportionment in accordance with § 669.13 and 23 U.S.C. 141(c), as part of the advance notice of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), normally not later than 90 days prior to final apportionment.

(b) A State that received a notice in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section may within 30 days of its receipt of the advance notice of apportionments, submit documentation showing why it is in conformity with this Part. Documentation shall be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

(c) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in nonconformity with the requirements of this part and 23 U.S.C. 141(c), based on FHWA's final determination, will receive notice of the funds being withheld from apportionment pursuant to section 669.3 and 23 U.S.C. 141(c), as part of the certification of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), which normally occurs on October 1 of each fiscal year.

(a) If, following the conference or review of submitted materials described in § 669.15, the Administrator concludes that the state is in compliance, the Administrator shall issue a decision which is the final decision, and the matter shall be concluded.

(b) If, following the conference or review of information submitted under § 669.15, the Administrator, with the concurrence of the Secretary, concludes that the state is in noncompliance, the Administrator shall issue a decision, which is the final decision, and the matter be concluded. The decision will be served on the Governor, or his/her designee.

(a) The Administrator may reserve from obligation up to 8 percent of a State's apportionment of funds under 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1), pending a final determination.

(b) Funds withheld pursuant to a final administrative determination under this regulation shall be reapportioned to all other eligible States pursuant to the formulas of 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1) and the apportionment factors in effect at the time of the original apportionments, unless the Secretary determines, on the basis of information submitted by the State, that the state has come into conformity with this regulation prior to the final determination. If the Secretary determines that the state has come into conformity, the withheld funds shall be released to the state subject to the availability of such funds under 23 U.S.C. 118(b).

(c) The reapportionment of funds under paragraph (b) of this section shall be stayed during the pendency of any judicial review of the final determination of nonconformity.

The FHWA shall periodically review the State's procedures for complying with 23 U.S.C. 141(c), including an inspection of supporting documentation and records. In those States where a branch office of the State, a local jurisdiction, or a private entity is providing services to register motor vehicles including vehicles subject to HVUT, the State shall be responsible for ensuring that these entities comply with the requirements of this part concerning the collection and retention of evidence of payment of the HVUT as a condition of registration for vehicles subject to such tax and develop adequate procedures to maintain such compliance. The State or other responsible entity shall retain a copy of the receipted IRS Schedule 1 (Form 2290), or an acceptable substitute prescribed by 26 CFR part 41 sec. 41.6001-2 for a period of 1 year for purposes of evaluating State compliance with 23 U.S.C. 141(c) by the FHWA. The State may develop a software system to maintain copies or images of this proof-of-payment.