[Federal Register: February 25, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 37)]
[Notices]
[Page 10043-10044]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25fe08-90]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
[Docket No. TSA-2006-24191]
Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB
Review: Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program
AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request
(ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval of an extension of the currently approved
collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the
nature of the information collection and its expected burden. TSA
published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments, of the following collection of information on
December 3, 2007, 72 FR 67945. The collection mechanisms include (1) a
Disclosure Form that requires a TWIC applicant to certify his/her
eligibility and provide basic biographic information and (2) a customer
satisfaction survey that evaluates an applicant's entire enrollment
experience.
DATES: Send your comments by March 26, 2008. A comment to OMB is most
effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be
addressed to Nathan Lesser, Desk Officer, Department of Homeland
Security/TSA, and sent via electronic mail to oira--
submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395-6974.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Johnson, Communications Branch,
Business Management Office, Operational Process and Technology, TSA-32,
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street,
Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone (571) 227-3651; facsimile (703)
603-0822.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available
at http://www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and
approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting
comments to--
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
Information Collection Requirement
TSA developed the TWIC program to mitigate security threats and
vulnerabilities in the national maritime system. The TWIC is a
biometric credential that is issued to all mariners and individuals who
require unescorted access to maritime facilities and vessels. Before
issuing an individual a credential, TSA performs a security threat
assessment, which requires the collection of certain biographic and
biometric information during the enrollment process. Each TWIC
applicant must complete the TWIC Disclosure and Certification Form.
This form provides the applicant a Privacy Act Notice and a Paperwork
Reduction Act Statement, explains how an applicant's biographic
information will be used, and requires each applicant to certify his/
her eligibility for a TWIC, as required in the TWIC final rule. The
TWIC Enrollment Customer Satisfaction Survey is entirely voluntary.
However, participation is recommended to all applicants in order to
provide the government key insights regarding the quality of each
applicant's enrollment experience (initial enrollment through
completion of card activation). The data collected from the surveys
will be used for process improvements and contractor performance
reviews.
The TWIC program implements authorities set forth in the Maritime
Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Pub. L. 107-295; Nov. 25,
2002; sec. 102), and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L.
109-59; Aug. 10, 2005; sec. 7105), codified at 49 U.S.C. 5103a(g). TSA
and the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) issued a joint final
rule on January 25, 2007, cited in the Federal Register, 72 FR 3492.
Applicants may provide enrollment data electronically during an
optional pre-enrollment step, via an enrollment Web site which
streamlines the applicant's enrollment experience. Applicants who pre-
enroll are able to provide all of the biographic information
electronically that is required to complete enrollment and make an
appointment at the enrollment center where enrollment must be completed
in-person. During in-person enrollment, applicants pay the enrollment
fee, complete a TWIC Disclosure and Certification Form (required of all
applicants), provide and verify biographic information (if not already
provided during pre-enrollment) and a complete set of fingerprints, and
sit for a digital photograph. All applicants are required to provide
acceptable documents to verify their identity and immigration status
(if required) at this time as well. These documents are reviewed by the
Trusted Agent and scanned into the electronic enrollment record. The
current estimated annualized reporting burden is 1,353,100 hours and
the estimated annualized cost burden is $14,779,500 (low)/$18,063,833
(high).
Title: Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection
mechanisms.
[[Page 10044]]
OMB Control Number: [1652-0047].
Forms(s): Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Disclosure Form and Certifications, and TWIC Enrollment Customer
Service Survey.
Affected Public: Individuals applying for a TWIC.
Abstract: The data collected will be used for processing TWIC
enrollment and conducting the security threat assessment. At the
enrollment center, applicants verify their biographic information and
provide identity documentation, biometric information, and proof of
immigration status (if required). This information allows TSA to
complete a comprehensive security threat assessment.
If TSA determines that the applicant is qualified to receive a
TWIC, TSA notifies the applicant that their TWIC is ready for
activation. Once activated, this credential will be used for
identification verification and access control.
Number of Respondents: 777,000.
Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 1,000,000 hours
annually.
Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on February 15, 2008.
Fran Lozito,
Director, Business Management Office, Operational Process and
Technology.
[FR Doc. E8-3467 Filed 2-22-08; 8:45 am]
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