2010-2037. Agency Information Collection Activities: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (Form I-775)

AGENCY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

30-day notice and request for comments; Revision of an existing information collection: 1651-0110.

SUMMARY:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (Form I-775). This is a proposed extension of an information collection that was previously approved. CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with a change to the burden hours. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (74 FR 60281) on November 20, 2009, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before March 3, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the 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 for Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, and sent via electronic mail to [e-mail] or faxed to [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encourages the general public and affected Federal agencies to submit written comments and suggestions on proposed and/or continuing information collection requests pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13). Your comments should address one of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information.

Title: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement.

OMB Number: 1651-0110.

Form Number: I-775.

Abstract: Form I-775 is the form used by carriers to request acceptance by CBP into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whereby the carriers agree to the terms of the VWP as delineated in Section 217(e) of the INA. Once participation is granted, the Form I-775 serves to hold the carriers liable for transportation costs and to ensure the completion of required forms. CBP is proposing to adjust the burden hours for this collection of information as a result of decreasing the estimated response time from 2 hours to 30 minutes. CBP is also proposing to add new provisions to this Agreement including: Carriers must not transport to the United States any alien traveling under the Visa Waiver Program without authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization; Carriers applying to become signatory to a visa waiver contract with CBP must have paid all their User Fee obligations and any previous penalties under the INA, U.S. Customs or Agriculture laws; and Carriers applying to become signatory to the VWP with CBP must post a bond sufficient to cover the total penalty amounts for violations that were imposed against the carrier during the previous fiscal year.

Current Actions: This submission is being made to extend the expiration date with a revision to the burden hours.

Type of Review: Extension (with change).

Affected Public: Businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 30 minutes.

If additional information is required contact: Tracey Denning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Regulations and Rulings, 799 9th Street, NW., 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177, at 202-325-0265.

Dated: January 27, 2010.

Tracey Denning,

Agency Clearance Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.