2015-30454. Army Privacy Program

AGENCY:

Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION:

Direct final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Army is amending the Army Privacy Program Regulation. Specifically, this direct final rule is removing the exemption for A0601-222 USMEPCOM, titled Armed Services Military Accession Testing. Based on a recent review of A0601-222 Armed Services Military Accession Testing it has been determined that records in this system will now be covered by DMDC 15 DoD, Armed Services Military Accession Testing, which published in the Federal Register on February 11, 2015. This rule is being published as a direct final rule as the Department of Defense does not expect to receive any adverse comments, and so a proposed rule is unnecessary.

DATES:

The rule will be effective on February 4, 2016 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. Comments will be accepted on or before February 1, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) and title, by any of the following methods:

• Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Directorate for Oversight and Compliance, Regulatory and Audit Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-9010.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number or RIN for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Tracy Rogers, Chief, FOIA/PA, telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The revisions to this rule will be reported in future status updates as part of DoD's retrospective plan under Executive Order 13563 completed in August 2011. DoD's full plan can be accessed at: http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​DOD-2011-OS-0036.

Direct Final Rule and Significant Adverse Comments

DoD has determined this rulemaking meets the criteria for a direct final rule because it involves changes dealing with DoD's management of its Privacy Programs. DoD expects no opposition to the changes and no significant adverse comments. However, if DoD receives a significant adverse comment, the Department will withdraw this direct final rule by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. A significant adverse comment is one that explains: (1) Why the direct final rule is inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's underlying premise or approach; or (2) why the direct final rule will be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. In determining whether a comment necessitates withdrawal of this direct final rule, DoD will consider whether it warrants a substantive response in a notice and comment process.

Executive Summary

This rule provides policy and procedures for Army's implementation of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The Army is removing an exemption rule from the exemptions section. This regulatory action imposes no monetary costs to the Agency or public.

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review” and Executive Order 13563, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review”

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distribute impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. It has been determined that this rule is not a significant rule.

Public Law 96-354, “Regulatory Flexibility Act” (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6)

It has been determined that this rule does not have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because it is concerned only with the administration of Privacy Act within the Department of Defense.

Public Law 95-511, “Paperwork Reduction Act” (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)

It has been determined that this rule imposes no information collection requirements on the public under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Section 202, Public Law 104-4, “Unfunded Mandates Reform Act”

It has been determined that this rule does not involve a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more and that such rulemaking will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments.

Executive Order 13132, “Federalism”

It has been determined that this rule does not have federalism implications. This rule does not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 505

• Privacy

Accordingly 32 CFR part 505 is amended as follows:

PART 505—ARMY PRIVACY PROGRAM

1. The authority citation for 32 CFR part 505 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Pub. L. 93-579, Stat. 1896 (5 U.S.C. 552a).

Appendix D to Part 505 [Amended]

2. Amend appendix D to part 505 by:

a. Removing paragraph (g)(32).

b. Redesignating paragraphs (g)(33) through (35) as paragraphs (g)(32) through (34).

Tracy Rogers,

Chief, Privacy and FOIA Office.