[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10043-10044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3467]


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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 [email protected] 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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