26 May 2010

[Federal Register: May 26, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 101)]
[Notices]               
[Page 29568-29569]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26my10-67]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

 
Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB 
Review: Aircraft Operator Security

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 30-day notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request 
(ICR), OMB control number 1652-0003, abstracted below to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval of an extension of 
the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. 
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 16, 2010. 75 FR 12559. The collection requires 
aircraft operators to adopt and implement a TSA-approved security 
program. These programs require aircraft operators to maintain and 
update records to ensure compliance with security provisions outlined 
in 49 CFR part 1544.

DATES: Send your comments by June 25, 2010. 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, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security/TSA, and 
sent via electronic mail to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to 
(202) 395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Johnson, TSA Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) Officer, Office of Information Technology (OIT), 
TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6011; telephone (571) 227-3651; e-mail 
TSAPRA@dhs.gov.

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

    1652-0003; Security Programs for Aircraft Operators, 49 CFR part 
1544. TSA is seeking to renew its OMB control number, 1652-0003, 
Aircraft Operator Security. TSA uses the information collected to 
determine compliance with 49 CFR part 1544 and to ensure the freedom of 
movement for people and commerce by monitoring aircraft operator 
security procedures. TSA has implemented aircraft operator security 
standards at 49 CFR part 1544 to require all aircraft operators to 
which this part applies to adopt and implement a security program. 
These TSA-approved security programs establish procedures that aircraft 
operators must carry out to protect persons and property traveling on 
flights provided by the aircraft operator against acts of criminal 
violence, aircraft piracy, and the introduction of explosives, 
incendiaries, or weapons aboard an aircraft.
    This information collection is mandatory for aircraft operators. As 
part of their security programs, affected aircraft operators are 
required to maintain and update, as necessary, records of compliance 
with the security program provisions set forth in 49 CFR part 1544, 
including compliance with applicable Security Directives. This 
regulation also requires affected aircraft operators to make their 
security programs and associated records available for inspection and 
copying by TSA to ensure transportation security and regulatory 
compliance.
    The information TSA collects includes identifying information on 
aircraft operators' flight crews and passengers. The requirement 
encompasses vetting of the entire flight crew, other aircraft operator 
personnel, and all passengers. The passenger watch list checks 
currently conducted by aircraft operators will soon be taken over by 
TSA's Secure Flight program. Under this program, TSA will conduct the 
checks for the aircraft operators, which will reduce their burden as 
described in this ICR. (See OMB control number 1652-0046).
    Aircraft operators are required to provide this information via 
electronic means. Aircraft operators with limited electronic systems 
may need to modify their current systems or generate a new computer 
system in order to submit the requested information but are not 
restricted to these means.
    Part 1544 also requires aircraft operators to ensure that flight 
crew members and employees with unescorted access authority or who 
perform screening, checked baggage, or cargo functions submit to and 
receive a criminal history records check (CHRC). As part of the CHRC 
process, the individual must provide identifying information, including 
fingerprints. Additionally, aircraft operators must maintain these 
records and make them available to TSA for inspection and copying upon 
request.
    Part 1544 also governs recordkeeping requirements for aircraft 
operators holding a full All-Cargo Standard Security Program; however, 
their hour burden has been separately reported under OMB control number 
1652-0040.

[[Page 29569]]

    Title: Aircraft Operator Security.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    OMB Control Number: 1652-0003.
    Forms(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Aircraft Operators.
    Abstract: 49 CFR part 1544 requires aircraft operators to maintain, 
update, and comply with TSA-approved comprehensive security programs to 
ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce by monitoring 
aircraft operator security procedures. These programs and related 
records are subject to TSA inspection.
    Number of Respondents: 796.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 1,841,130 hours 
annually.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia on May 20, 2010.
Joanna Johnson,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2010-12609 Filed 5-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P