[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64146-64147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26932]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Revision From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Aircraft Operator Security, 49 CFR Part 1544

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 1652-0003, 
abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for a revision in 
compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. 
Aircraft operators must provide certain information to TSA and adopt 
and implement a TSA-approved security program. These programs require 
aircraft operators to maintain and update records to ensure compliance 
with security provisions set forth in 49 CFR part 1544.

DATES: Send your comments by February 11, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), 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 will be 
available at http://www.reginfo.gov upon its submission to OMB. 
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.
    Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, 
Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, and E.O. 13777, 
Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also requesting comments 
on the extent to which this request for information could be modified 
to reduce the burden on respondents.

Information Collection Requirement

    OMB Control Number 1652-0003; Aircraft Operator Security, 49 CFR 
part 1544. The information collected is used to determine compliance 
with 49 CFR part 1544 and to ensure passenger safety by monitoring 
aircraft operator security procedures. TSA implements aircraft operator 
security standards at part 1544 to require each aircraft operator, to 
which this part applies, to adopt and carry out a security program. 
This TSA-approved security program establishes procedures that aircraft 
operators must carry out to protect persons and property traveling on 
flights provided by the aircraft operator against acts of criminal 
violence, aircraft piracy, and the introduction of explosives, 
incendiaries, or weapons aboard an aircraft. Aircraft operators must 
also comply with TSA-issued Security Directives (SDs), which are issued 
when TSA determines that additional security measures are necessary to 
respond to a threat assessment or to a specific threat against civil 
aviation.
    This information collection is mandatory for aircraft operators. As 
part of their security programs, affected aircraft operators are 
required to maintain and update, as necessary, records of compliance 
with the security program provisions set forth in part 1544, including 
maintaining records of compliance for selected crew and security 
employees. Part 1544 also requires affected aircraft operators to 
submit security program amendments and SD compliance plans to TSA, when

[[Page 64147]]

applicable, and to make their security programs and associated records 
available for inspection and copying by TSA to ensure transportation 
security and regulatory compliance.
    In addition, part 1544 requires the affected aircraft operators to 
submit information on aircraft operators' flight crews and other 
employees, passengers, and cargo. The information collection includes 
information regarding security program, amendments, fingerprint-based 
criminal history records check (CHRC) applications; recordkeeping 
requirements for security program, CHRCs, and training; watchlist 
matching for employees and reporting matches to TSA; watchlist matching 
for passengers in case of Secure Flight outages; and incident and 
suspicious activity reporting. Aircraft operators may provide the 
information electronically or manually.
    Aircraft operators must ensure that certain flight crew members and 
employees (including certain contract employees and authorized 
representatives) submit to and receive a CHRC. These requirements apply 
to flight crew members and employees with unescorted access authority 
to a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) or who perform 
screening, checked baggage, or cargo functions. As part of the CHRC 
process, the individual must provide identifying information, including 
fingerprints. Additionally, aircraft operators must maintain these 
records and make them available to TSA for inspection and copying upon 
request.
    TSA is revising the information collection and will no longer 
collect information regarding watchlist matching for Secure Flight 
outages. TSA has assumed from the private sector the responsibility for 
pre-flight screening of passengers and certain non-traveling 
individuals against the Federal Government watchlist, as required by 
sec. 4012(a) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 
2004,\1\ and consolidation of the aviation passenger watchlist matching 
function within one agency of the Federal Government. TSA no longer 
requires airlines to compare passenger names to watchlists during a 
Secure Flight outage. TSA estimates that there will be approximately 
673 respondents to the information requirements described above, with a 
total annual burden estimate of approximately 569,686 hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Public Law 108-458, 118 Stat. 3638, 3714; Dec. 17, 2004.

    Dated: December 6, 2018.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2018-26932 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P