[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 205 (Monday, October 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73126-73127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25667]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

[Docket No. TSA-2006-24191]


Intent To Request Revision From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Transportation Worker Identification 
Credential (TWIC[supreg]) Program

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0047, 
abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for revision in compliance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of 
the information collection and its expected burden. The collection 
involves the submission of identifying and other information by 
individuals applying for a TWIC[supreg] and a customer satisfaction 
survey.

DATES: Send your comments by December 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Office of Information Technology (OIT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above 
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

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

    OMB Control Number 1652-0047; Transportation Worker Identification 
Credential (TWIC[supreg]) Program. TSA developed the Transportation 
Worker Identification Credential (TWIC[supreg]) program to mitigate 
threats and vulnerabilities in the national transportation system. 
TWIC[supreg] is a common credential for all personnel requiring 
unescorted access to secure areas of facilities and vessels regulated 
under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and all mariners 
holding U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) credentials. Before issuing an 
individual a TWIC[supreg], TSA performs a security threat assessment, 
which requires TSA to collect certain personal information such as 
name, address, date of birth and other information. Applicants are also 
required to provide fingerprints, photograph, and undergo checks for 
ties to terrorism, applicable immigration status and a criminal history 
records check. Also, individuals in the field of transportation who are 
required to undergo a security threat assessment in certain other 
programs, such as the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism (CFATS) program, 
may apply for a TWIC[supreg] and the associated security threat 
assessment to satisfy CFATS requirements.
    The program implements authorities set forth in the Aviation and 
Transportation Security Act (ATSA) (Pub. L. 107-71; Nov. 19, 2002; sec. 
106), 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 U.S. Coast Guard issued a joint notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 22, 2006, 71 FR 29396. After 
consideration of public comments on the NPRM, TSA issued a joint final 
rule with the Coast Guard on January 25, 2007 (72 FR 3492), applicable 
to the maritime transportation sector that would require this 
information collection.
    TSA collects data from applicants during an optional pre-enrollment 
step or during the enrollment session at an enrollment center. TSA will 
use the information collected to conduct a security threat assessment, 
which includes: (1) A criminal history records check; (2) a check of 
intelligence databases; and (3) an immigration status check. TSA may 
also use the information to determine a TWIC holder's eligibility to 
participate in TSA's expedited screening program for air travel, TSA 
Pre[check][supreg]. TSA invites all TWIC[supreg] applicants to complete 
an optional survey to gather information on the applicants' overall 
customer satisfaction with the enrollment process. This optional survey 
is administered by a Trusted Agent (a representative of the 
TWIC[supreg] enrollment service provider, who performs enrollment 
functions) during the process to activate the TWIC[supreg]. These 
surveys are collected at

[[Page 73127]]

each enrollment center and compiled to produce reports that are 
reviewed by the contractor and TSA.
    The collection is being revised to allow TSA to use the information 
to expand enrollment options and the potential use of biographic and 
biometric (e.g., fingerprints, iris scans, and/or photo) information. 
This will allow future use of the information collected for additional 
comparability or eligibility determinations for other programs or 
security requirements, such as allowing the TWIC[supreg] applicant to 
participate not only in a program such as the TSA Pre[check][supreg] 
Application Program, TSA's expedited screening program for air 
travelers, but also in the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) 
Program without requiring an additional background check.
    In addition, the collection is being revised to remove the 
requirement to collect information about the Extended Expiration Date 
(EED) TWIC[supreg]. In 2012, TSA issued an exemption option that 
permitted eligible TWIC[supreg] cardholders to obtain a replacement 
card that extended the expiration date of their security threat 
assessment and TWIC[supreg] card by three years on payment of a reduced 
renewal fee. The EED TWIC[supreg] was a one-time temporary option 
intended to provide convenience and cost-savings to applicants pending 
U.S. Coast Guard issuance of the Notice to Proposed Rulemaking for the 
TWIC[supreg] Reader Rule. The EED TWIC[supreg] renewal option is being 
discontinued, and applicants will be required to obtain a five-year 
TWIC[supreg] through the standard renewal process.
    Also, TSA is re-evaluating its fee collection for the TWIC[supreg] 
Program in light of changes to the fee the FBI charges for fingerprint 
processing. Effective October 1, 2016, the FBI will reduce its 
fingerprint-based criminal history records check fee by $2.75 based on 
recommendations from a required user fee study (81 FR 45535). Section 
1572.501(b)(3) of the TWIC[supreg] Final Rule (72 FR 3491) states that 
if the FBI amends its fee for criminal history records checks, TSA will 
collect the amended FBI fee. As a result of the FBI's fee change, the 
TWIC[supreg] standard enrollment fee ($128.00) will be reduced by 
$2.75. Effective October 1, 2016, TSA will collect a $125.25 fee for 
standard enrollments. The FBI fee is one segment of the TWIC[supreg] 
Program's overall fee. The TWIC[supreg] fee contains segments for 
enrollment, full/reduced card production/security threat assessment, 
and the FBI fee. Reduced rate and replacement TWIC[supreg] card 
enrollment fees will not change.
    The current estimated annualized hour burden is 736,670 hours and 
the estimated annualized cost burden is $90,276,808.

    Dated: October 18, 2016.
Joanna Johnson,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2016-25667 Filed 10-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-05-P