2011-29941. Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: TSA Claims Management Program

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 an extension of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments, of the following collection of information on March 25, 2011 (76 FR 16799). TSA received one comment. The collection involves the submission of information from claimants in order to thoroughly examine and resolve tort claims against the agency.

DATES:

Send your comments by December 21, 2011. 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] or faxed to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joanna Johnson, TSA PRA Officer, Office of Information Technology (OIT), TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

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 is available at http://www.reginfo.gov. 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.

Information Collection Requirement

Title: TSA Claims Management System.

Type of Request: Extension 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 and decide to seek compensation by filing a Federal tort claim against TSA.

Abstract: OMB Control Number 1652-0039, TSA Claims Management System, allows the agency to collect information from claimants in order to thoroughly examine and resolve tort claims against the agency. TSA receives approximately 1,000 tort claims per month arising from airport screening activities and other circumstances, including motor vehicle accidents and employee loss. The Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 1402(b), 2401(b), 2671-2680) is the authority under which the TSA Claims Management Branch adjudicates tort claims.

The data is collected whenever an individual believes s/he has experienced property loss or damage, a personal injury, or other damages due to the negligent or wrongful act or omission of a TSA employee, and decides to file a Federal tort claim against TSA. Submission of a claim is entirely voluntary and initiated by individuals. The claimants (or respondents) to this collection are typically the traveling public. Currently, claimants file a claim by submitting to TSA a Standard Form 95 (SF-95), which has been approved under OMB control number 1105-0008. Because TSA requires further clarifying information, claimants are asked to complete a Supplemental Information page added to the SF-95. These forms have been approved under OMB control number 1652-0039.

Claim instructions and forms are available through the TSA Web site at http://www.tsa.gov. Claimants must download these forms and mail or fax them to TSA. On the Supplemental Information page, claimants are asked to provide additional claim information including: (1) Email address, (2) airport, (3) location of incident within the airport, (4) complete travel itinerary, (5) whether baggage was delayed by airline, (6) why they believe TSA was negligent, (7) whether they used a third-party baggage service, (8) whether they were traveling under military orders, and (9) whether they submitted claims with the airlines or insurance companies.

If TSA determines payment is warranted, TSA sends the claimant a form requesting: (1) Claimant signature, (2) banking information (routing and account number), and (3) Social Security number (required by the U.S. Treasury for all Government payments to the public pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3325).

Number of Respondents: 12,000.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 6,000 hours annually.

Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on November 15, 2011.

Joanna Johnson,

TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.