03-4959. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-day Emergency Notice of Information Collection Under Review: New Bioterrorism Preparedness Act: Entity/Individual Information.

The Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB approval has been requested by March 9, 2003. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days. Comments should be directed to OMB, Office of Information and Regulation Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer [phone], Washington, DC 20503.

During the first 60 days of this same review period, a regular review of this information collection is also being undertaken. All comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to David M. Hardy, Records/Information Dissemination Section, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 935 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20535, or call [phone].

Request written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information. Your comments should address one or more 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, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies 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 collection of information on those who are to respond including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of this information:

(1) Type of information collection: New Collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: Bioterrorism Preparedness Act: Entity/Individual Information.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the department sponsoring the collection: FD-961 (2-24-03), Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. Other. Business or other for profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 is designed to prevent bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. The law requires entities and persons possessing agents or toxins deemed to be a severe threat to human, animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products, to be registered with the Secretary of Agriculture or Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Under the Act the Attorney General has the responsibility to determine whether any individual is a restricted person, as that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. 175b(d) or is reasonably suspectd by any Federal law enforcement or intelligence agency of committing a Federal crime of terrorism, or having knowing involvement with an organization that engages in domestic or international terrorism, or with any other organization that engages in intentional crimes of violence; or an agent of a foreign power. The Attorney General delegated this responsibility to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The collection of this information is necessary for the FBI to make the required determination.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply. It is estimated 20,000 entities/individuals will complete the information in approximately 30 minutes.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this application is 10,000 hours.

If additional information is required contact: Robert B. Briggs, Department Clearance Officer, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of Justice, 601 D Street NW., Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: February 26, 2003.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, Department of Justice.