[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 77883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21791]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Extension From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Sensitive Security Information Threat 
Assessment Application

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 1652-0042, 
abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for an extension in 
compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The 
collection involves TSA determining whether certain individuals seeking 
access to sensitive security information (SSI) may be granted access to 
the SSI.

DATES: Send your comments by November 25, 2024.

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, 
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 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 1652-0042; Sensitive Security Information Threat 
Assessment. Section 525(d) of the Department of Homeland Security 
Appropriations Act of 2007 (DHS Appropriations Act, Public Law 109-295, 
120 Stat 1382), as reenacted, requires TSA to establish a process by 
which a party seeking access to SSI in a civil proceeding in federal 
district court can make a request to receive a record designated as 
SSI. TSA's process applies to parties who demonstrate a substantial 
need for relevant SSI in the preparation of the party's case and 
without the record, it would create an undue hardship to obtain the 
substantial equivalent of the information in the records by other 
means. Under this process, the party's representative may request and 
be granted conditional access to the SSI at issue in the case.
    This process also applies to additional categories of individuals 
seeking access to SSI. For example, they apply to witnesses retained by 
a party as experts or consultants and court reporters that are required 
to record or transcribe testimony containing specific SSI and who do 
not have a current security clearance required for access to classified 
national security information as defined by E.O. 12958, as amended. The 
process is also used by a prospective bidder to submit a proposal in 
response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by TSA. TSA may request 
certain SSI in order for a prospective bidder to perfect their bid. 
RFPs are sent to an individual involved in the performance of non-
traditional contractual agreements (for example, bailments) or other 
transaction agreements, or an individual receiving access to SSI under 
49 CFR 1520.15(e) regarding other conditional disclosures.
    Applicants seeking access to SSI in federal district court 
litigation must complete TSA Form 2817A, SSI Access Threat Assessment 
Questionnaire--Litigation. Bidders and certain other applicants will be 
required to complete TSA Form 2817B, SSI Access Threat Assessment 
Questionnaire--Standard in order to have a security threat assessment 
completed before they can receive the requested SSI. TSA will use the 
information collected to conduct the security threat assessment for the 
purpose of determining whether the provision of such access to the 
information for the proceeding or other reason presents a risk of harm 
to the Nation.
    This assessment includes: (1) a fingerprint-based criminal history 
records check (CHRC); (2) a name-based check to determine whether the 
individual poses or is suspected of posing a threat to transportation 
or national security, including checks against terrorism, immigration, 
or other databases TSA maintains or uses; and/or (3) implement other 
procedures and requirements for safeguarding SSI that are satisfactory 
to TSA including a professional responsibility check (for attorneys and 
court reporters). Based on the results of the security threat 
assessment, TSA will make a final determination on whether the 
individual may be granted access to the SSI.
    Individuals who are members of TSA PreCheck\TM\ (also known as TSA 
Pre[check][supreg] Application Program) may provide their known 
traveler number to facilitate the security threat assessment process. 
TSA permits this use of TSA PreCheck\TM\ status based on a 
determination that the threat assessment for TSA PreCheck\TM\ 
membership is comparable to that required for access to SSI.
    TSA estimates that the total annual hour burden for this collection 
will be 275 hours, based on an estimated 256 annual respondents with a 
one-hour burden per respondent, plus 7 SSI litigant respondents with a 
2.68-hour burden per respondent.

    Dated: September 19, 2024.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2024-21791 Filed 9-23-24; 8:45 am]
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