[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 10268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4959]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Investigation


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comments Requested

ACTION: 60-day Emergency Notice of Information Collection Under Review: 
New Bioterrorism Preparedness Act: Entity/Individual Information.

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    The Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation has 
submitted the following information collection request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with 
emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB 
approval has been requested by March 9, 2003. The proposed information 
collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected 
agencies. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 
days. Comments should be directed to OMB, Office of Information and 
Regulation Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer (202) 
395-6466, Washington, DC 20503.
    During the first 60 days of this same review period, a regular 
review of this information collection is also being undertaken. All 
comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional 
information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed information 
collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to David M. 
Hardy, Records/Information Dissemination Section, Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, 935 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20535, or call 
(202) 324-3625.
    Request written comments and suggestions from the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information. 
Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:
    (1) Evaluate 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Overview of this information:
    (1) Type of information collection: New Collection.
    (2) The title of the form/collection: Bioterrorism Preparedness 
Act: Entity/Individual Information.
    (3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of 
the department sponsoring the collection: FD-961 (2-24-03), Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. Other. 
Business or other for profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local 
or Tribal Government. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism 
Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 is designed to prevent 
bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. The law requires 
entities and persons possessing agents or toxins deemed to be a severe 
threat to human, animal or plant health, or to animal or plant 
products, to be registered with the Secretary of Agriculture or 
Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Under the Act the Attorney 
General has the responsibility to determine whether any individual is a 
restricted person, as that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. 175b(d) or is 
reasonably suspectd by any Federal law enforcement or intelligence 
agency of committing a Federal crime of terrorism, or having knowing 
involvement with an organization that engages in domestic or 
international terrorism, or with any other organization that engages in 
intentional crimes of violence; or an agent of a foreign power. The 
Attorney General delegated this responsibility to the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI). The collection of this information is necessary 
for the FBI to make the required determination.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply. It is 
estimated 20,000 entities/individuals will complete the information in 
approximately 30 minutes.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this 
application is 10,000 hours.
    If additional information is required contact: Robert B. Briggs, 
Department Clearance Officer, Information Management and Security 
Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of 
Justice, 601 D Street NW., Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, NW., 
Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: February 26, 2003.
Robert B. Briggs,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 03-4959 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-02-M