[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46805-46806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15377]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Revision From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Aircraft Operator Security

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 1652-0003, 
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 September 18, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration, 6595 Springfield Center Drive, 
Springfield, VA 20598-6011.

[[Page 46806]]


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 https://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.

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 program amendments and Security 
Directives (SDs).
    TSA may amend a security program under 49 CFR 1544.105(c) if safety 
and the public interest require an amendment, and may issue an 
emergency amendment under 49 CFR 1544.105(d) if TSA determines there is 
an emergency requiring immediate action with respect to safety in air 
transportation or air commerce that makes the procedures in 49 CFR 
1544.105 contrary to the public interest. Furthermore, TSA may issue an 
Information Circular (IC) to notify aircraft operators of security 
concerns. Compliance with the IC is voluntary. However, when TSA 
determines that additional security measures are necessary to respond 
to a threat assessment or to a specific threat against civil aviation, 
TSA issues a Security Directive setting forth mandatory measures.
    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 49 CFR part 1544, 
including maintaining records of direct aircraft operator employees and 
their authorized representative's actions related to operations 
security. Additional required records include validation of current 
fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC) and Security 
Threat Assessment status of those employees. Part 1544 also requires 
affected aircraft operators to submit security program amendments and 
SD compliance plans to TSA, when 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, 49 CFR part 1544 requires the affected aircraft 
operators to submit information on aircraft operators' flight crews and 
other employees, passengers, and cargo. This collection also includes 
documentation of aircraft interior and exterior security search prior 
to the departure for the first flight of the day. Additional document 
review includes security programs, amendments, CHRC applications; and 
recordkeeping requirements for security programs, CHRCs, training, and 
incident and suspicious activity reporting. Aircraft operators may 
provide the information electronically or in writing.
    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 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 burden of the information collection by 
providing more detail regarding the security program amendments 
information collection. TSA is now breaking out the burden elements of 
the security program amendments information collection to include 
security program amendments requested by aircraft operators, TSA-
required security program amendments (including emergency amendments), 
temporary changed conditions, SDs, and voluntary ICs.
    TSA estimates that there will be approximately 634 respondents to 
the information requirements described above, with a total annual 
burden estimate of approximately 542,650 hours.

    Dated: July 15, 2023.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2023-15377 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
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