2018-14481. Intent To Request Extension From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Aircraft Repair Station Security

AGENCY:

Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION:

60-Day notice.

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 1652-0060, 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 recordkeeping requirements and petitions for reconsideration by owners and/or operators of repair stations certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

DATES:

Send your comments by September 4, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be emailed to [e-mail] or delivered to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christina A. Walsh at the above address, or by telephone [phone].

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 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

OMB Control Number 1652-0060; Aircraft Repair Station Security. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44924 and 49 CFR part 1554, TSA performs security reviews and audits of aircraft repair stations located within and outside of the United States.

On December 12, 2003, the President of the United States signed into law the Vision 100 Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (the Act). Section 611 of the Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the security of aircraft repair stations. The Act further requires a security review and audit of repair stations located outside the United States, with a 145-certificate issued by the FAA. TSA, on behalf of DHS, is the agency to conduct the relevant tasks associated with this legislation. In response to the Act, TSA published a final rule setting forth the new requirements. See 79 FR 2119 (January 13, 2014).

Repair stations certificated by the FAA under part 145 and located on or adjacent to an airport, as defined in 49 CFR 1554.101(a)(1) and (2), are required to implement security requirements. Unless located on a military installation, these repair stations are subject to inspection by TSA.

The required security measures include designating a TSA point of contact and preventing the operation of unattended large aircraft that are capable of flight. A repair station owner or operator also is responsible for maintaining updated employment history records to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements. These records must be made available to TSA upon request. If TSA discovers security deficiencies, a repair station may be subject to suspension or, in extreme cases, withdrawal of its certification by the FAA if such deficiencies are not corrected. A repair station owner or operator may petition for reconsideration (appeal) of a determination by TSA that FAA must suspend or revoke its certificate. TSA uses the collected information to determine compliance with the security measures required under 49 CFR part 1554.

The respondents to this information collection are the owners and/or operators of repair stations certificated by the FAA under 14 CFR part 145, which is estimated to be 4,013 aircraft repair stations located in the United States and 874 repair stations located outside the United States.

Respondent repair stations are required to submit and update Security point of contact (POC) information, respond to requests to inspect documentation, and may petition for reconsideration. For these activities, TSA estimates that all respondent repair stations will incur a total of 1,176 hours annually to satisfy the collection requirements.

Dated: June 28, 2018.

Christina A. Walsh,

TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.