[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 7578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02529]



[[Page 7578]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2019-0023]


Assessing the Risk-Mitigation Value of TWIC[supreg] at Maritime 
Facilities

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: 30-Day notice of information collection; new request for 
comment.

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SUMMARY: By law, the Secretary of Homeland Security is required to 
commission an assessment of how effective the transportation security 
card program is at enhancing security and reducing security risks for 
regulated maritime facilities and vessels. Through the transportation 
security card program, the Department issues the Transportation Worker 
Identification Credential (TWIC[supreg]). Legislation passed August 2, 
2018 restricts the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) from implementing any rule 
requiring the use of biometric readers for TWIC[supreg] until after 
submission to Congress of the results of this effectiveness assessment.
    The Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), a 
federally funded research and development center operated by the RAND 
Corporation, will collect information from those involved in maritime 
security on behalf of the DHS S&T Office of Innovation and 
Collaboration (OIC) Federally Funded Research and Development Center 
(FFRDC) Program Management Office. HSOAC will visit regulated maritime 
facilities and terminals and conduct interviews using a semi-structured 
interview method to collect information. HSOAC will analyze this 
information and use it to produce a public report with its research 
findings.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and accepted until March 11, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
this proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to the OMB Desk Officer, via electronic mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DHS/S&T/OIC/FFRDC Program Manager: 
Scott Randels, or 202-254-6053 (Not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of Homeland Security, pursuant 
to Public Law 114-278, is required to commission an assessment of how 
effective the transportation security card program is at enhancing 
security and reducing security risks for regulated maritime facilities 
and vessels. Through the transportation security card program, the 
Department issues the Transportation Worker Identification Credential 
(TWIC[supreg]). In addition, Public Law 115-230 restricts the USCG from 
implementing any rule requiring the use of biometric readers for 
TWIC[supreg] until submitting the results of this assessment to 
Congress.
    DHS, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., provides the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing 
collections of information. DHS is soliciting comments on the proposed 
information collection request (ICR) that is described below. DHS is 
especially interested in public comment addressing the following 
issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the 
Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely 
manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the 
Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden 
of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of 
information technology? Please note that written comments received in 
response to this notice will be considered public records.
    Title of Collection: Assessing the Risk-Mitigation Value of 
TWIC[supreg] at Maritime Facilities.
    Type of Review: New.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Port security subject matter experts 
such as Port Authority Security Managers, Facility Security Managers, 
Industry Security Managers, and local law enforcement; Labor, Other 
Industry Operation and Technology Managers.
    Frequency of Collection: Once, Annually.
    Average Burden per Response: 60 minutes.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 400.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 400.

    Dated: January 28, 2020.
Gregg Piermarini,
Director, Chief Information Office, Office of Enterprise Services 
Science and Technology Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2020-02529 Filed 2-7-20; 8:45 am]
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