84 FR 10524 - Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One New Public Collection of Information: Surface Transportation Stakeholder Survey

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on a new Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in compliance with 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 via a survey regarding resource challenges, including the availability of Federal funding, associated with securing surface transportation assets.

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10524-10525]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05394]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One New Public Collection 
of Information: Surface Transportation Stakeholder Survey

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on a new Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted 
below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval in compliance with 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 via a 
survey regarding resource challenges, including the availability of 
Federal funding, associated with securing surface transportation 
assets.

DATES: Send your comments by May 20, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration,

[[Page 10525]]

601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above 
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

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

Purpose and Description of Data Collection

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has broad 
statutory authority for ``security in all modes of transportation . . . 
including security responsibilities . . . over modes of transportation 
that are exercised by the Department of Transportation.'' \1\ 
Consistent with this authority, TSA is the Federal agency responsible 
for ``assess[ing] the security of each surface transportation mode and 
evaluat[ing] the effectiveness and efficiency of current Federal 
Government surface transportation security initiatives.'' \2\
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    \1\ See section 101 of the Aviation and Transportation Security 
Act (ATSA), Public Law 107-71, 115 Stat. 597 (Nov. 19, 2001), 
codified at 49 U.S.C. 114 (ATSA created TSA and established the 
agency's primary federal role to enhance security for all modes of 
transportation). Section 403(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(HSA), Public Law 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (Nov. 25, 2002), 
transferred all functions related to transportation security, 
including those of the Secretary of Transportation and the Under 
Secretary of Transportation for Security, to the Secretary of 
Homeland Security. Pursuant to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
Delegation Number 7060.2, the Secretary delegated to the 
Administrator, subject to the Secretary's guidance and control, the 
authority vested in the Secretary with respect to TSA, including 
that in sec. 403(2) of the HSA.
    \2\ See Executive Order (E.O.) 13416, section 3(a) (Dec. 5, 
2006); 49 U.S.C. 114(d)(3) and (4).
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    Section 1983 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302, Pub. 
L. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3186, Oct. 5, 2018) (the ``Act'') directs the 
Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a survey \3\ of public and 
private stakeholders responsible for securing surface transportation 
assets regarding resource challenges including unmet security needs. 
The Act also requires reporting to the appropriate congressional 
committees regarding the survey results and the efforts of DHS to 
address any identified security vulnerabilities.
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    \3\ The provision reads:
    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall begin conducting a survey 
of public and private stakeholders responsible for securing surface 
transportation assets regarding resource challenges, including the 
availability of Federal funding, associated with securing such 
assets that provides an opportunity for respondents to set forth 
information on specific unmet needs.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after beginning the survey 
required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall report to the 
appropriate committees of Congress regarding the results of such 
survey and the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to address 
any identified security vulnerabilities.
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    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the fiduciary 
agent and Federal awarding agency for grant funding appropriate to DHS 
for surface transportation security enhancements. As memorialized in a 
memorandum of understanding between FEMA and TSA, TSA supports the 
grant process for surface transportation through numerous activities, 
including stakeholder outreach and soliciting feedback for program 
improvements from surface transportation security partners.
    Consistent with the above authorities and agreements with FEMA, TSA 
is now seeking approval to conduct the survey. TSA estimates that 641 
industry stakeholders will submit a response to the survey, which will 
take approximately 2 hours to complete. TSA estimates the total annual 
burden for this one-time collection is 1,282.8 hours.

Use of Results

    The information collected in this one-time survey will be used as 
follows:
    1. To develop a baseline understanding of surface transportation 
operators' security budgets and of the gap, if any, between available 
funding and stakeholders' perceived security needs.
    2. To identify resources across the Department available to 
stakeholders to address any identified security vulnerabilities.
    3. To report to leadership in TSA, DHS, and Congress on those 
resource needs, in order to inform future Federal budget formulation 
and grant making decisions.
    4. To inform TSA's development of security strategies, priorities, 
and programs, as well as stakeholder outreach efforts, that ensure the 
most effective application of available resources.

    Dated: March 15, 2019.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2019-05394 Filed 3-20-19; 8:45 am]
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