2018-20412. Revision of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: TSA Claims Application

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 1652-0039, abstracted below to OMB for review and approval of a revision of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves the submission of information from claimants to examine and resolve tort claims against the agency.

DATES:

Send your comments by October 22, 2018. 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 May 10, 2018, at 83 FR 21788.

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: TSA Claims Application.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

OMB Control Number: 1652-0039.

Forms(s): Supplemental Information Form, Payment Form.

Affected Public: Members of the traveling public who believe they have experienced property loss or damage, a personal injury, or other damages due to the negligent or wrongful act or omission of a TSA employee within their scope of employment, and decide to seek compensation by filing a federal tort claim against TSA.

Abstract: The TSA Claims, Outreach, and Debt Branch adjudicates tort claims pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 1402(b), 2401(b), 2671-2680). OMB Control Number 1652-0039, TSA Claims Application, allows the agency to collect information from claimants to examine and resolve tort claims against the agency.

The claims branch has changed its name from Claims Management Branch to Claims, Outreach, and Debt Branch and is revising the information collection form by changing the name from “TSA Claims Management Branch Program” to “TSA Claims Application.” These changes provide the public with a better understanding of the operational functions conducted when a member of the traveling public files an SF-95, claims application.

TSA receives approximately 850 tort claims per month arising from airport screening activities, motor vehicle accidents, and employee loss, among others.

Number of Respondents: 10,200.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 5,300 hours.

Dated: September 14, 2018.

Christina A. Walsh,

TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.