2019-07006. Revision of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Air Cargo Security Requirements

AGENCY:

Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION:

30-Day notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0040, abstracted below to OMB for review and approval of a revision of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR involves three broad categories of affected populations operating under a security program: Aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and indirect air carriers. The collections of information that make up this ICR include security programs, security threat assessments (STA) on certain individuals, known shipper data via the Known Shipper Management System (KSMS), Indirect Air Carrier Management System (IACMS), and evidence of compliance recordkeeping.

DATES:

Send your comments by May 9, 2019. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security/TSA, and sent via electronic mail to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christina A. Walsh, TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments, of the following collection of information on November 19, 2018, 83 FR 58274.

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 http://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.

Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, and E.O. 13777, Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also requesting comments on the extent to which this request for information could be modified to reduce the burden on respondents.

Information Collection Requirement

Title: Air Cargo Security Requirements.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

OMB Control Number: 1652-0040.

Forms(s): Aviation Security Known Shipper Verification Form, Aircraft Operator or Air Carrier Reporting Template, and Security Threat Assessment Application.

Affected Public: This ICR involves regulated entities including aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and indirect air carriers operating under a TSA-approved security program.

Abstract: Under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 44901, TSA's regulations impose screening requirements for cargo and other property transported on commercial aircraft (passenger and all-cargo). Chapter XII of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) defines how TSA screens all property, including U.S. mail, cargo, carry-on and checked baggage, and other articles, that will be carried aboard passenger and cargo aircraft.

This information collection currently relates to the following requirements:

• Aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and indirect air carriers (IACs) must collect certain information as part of the implementation of a standard security program, submit modifications to the standard security program to TSA for approval, and update such programs as necessary. As part of these security programs, the regulated entities must also collect personal information and submit such information to TSA so that TSA may conduct STAs on individuals with unescorted access to cargo.
• Companies and individuals whom aircraft operators, foreign air carriers, and IACs have qualified to ship cargo on passenger aircraft, also referred to as “known shippers,” must submit information to TSA. This information is collected electronically through the KSMS.
• Regulated entities must submit (by entering into the IACMS) information required from applicants requesting to be approved as IACs and the information required for their IAC annual renewal in accordance with 49 CFR 1548.7. Regulated entities must also maintain records, including records pertaining to security programs, training, and compliance to demonstrate adherence with the regulatory requirements.
• Select aircraft operators and foreign air carriers operating under certain amendments to their security programs must provide to TSA detailed screening volumes and the methodology utilized to arrive at these volumes, as well as demonstrating progress toward full compliance with the cargo security measures specified in such amendments.

TSA is revising the collection of information:

• To revise TSA Form 419F to request specific information regarding residency of Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) Principals to ensure that those principals that do not physically reside nor work in the United States can meet the STA requirements.
• To incorporate in the form the acknowledgement of requirements from 49 CFR 1548.15(b)(1)(ii), which state: “Cargo to be transported on a passenger aircraft operated by an aircraft operator with a full program under § 1544.101(a) or by a foreign air carrier under § 1546.101(a) or (b) of this chapter, is accepted by the indirect air carrier, until the indirect air carrier transfers the cargo to an aircraft operator or foreign air carrier.”
• To provide a web-portal, allowing IACMS to upload supporting documentation electronically.

Number of Respondents: 118,325.^[1]

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 74,637 hours annually.

Dated: April 3, 2019.

Christina A. Walsh,

TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.

Footnotes

1.  After further evaluation, the respondents' amount has been adjusted from the reported number in the 60-day notice of 133,300 to 118,325. The annual burden hours have also been adjusted from 74,443 to 74,637.