80 FR 31850 - Adjustment of Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 107 (June 4, 2015)
Transportation Security Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 107 (June 4, 2015)
| Page Range | 31850-31857 | |
| FR Document | 2015-13506 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 31850-31857] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-13506] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Transportation Security Administration 49 CFR Part 1510 [Docket No. TSA-2001-11120; Amendment No. 1510-5] RIN 1652-AA68 Adjustment of Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS. ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this interim final rule (IFR) to address a statutory change affecting the IFR published on June 20, 2014 (2014 IFR), which implemented the passenger civil aviation security service fee (security service fee) increase mandated by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. This IFR conforms TSA's regulations to statutory amendments enacted since publication of the 2014 IFR. These amendments impose a round-trip limitation on the security service fee. All other aspects of the regulations, including those made by the 2014 IFR and provisions unchanged by this rule, remain in effect. TSA is also requesting comments on added definitions related to imposition of a round-trip limitation. TSA is not soliciting comments with respect to any other issues concerning the 2014 IFR, except to the extent affected by this rule, as the deadline for such comments has expired. DATES: Effective date: June 4, 2015, except for the definition of ``co- terminal'' in Sec. 1510.3, which is effective July 6, 2015. Comment date: Comments must be received by August 3, 2015. Applicability date: Direct air carriers and foreign air carriers in air transportation, foreign air transportation, and intrastate air transportation originating at airports in the United States (air carriers) will be held responsible for applying the round-trip limitation to all relevant air transportation sold on or after 12 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on December 19, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the TSA docket number to this rulemaking, to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS), a government-wide, electronic docket management system, using any one of the following methods: Electronically: You may submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Mail, In Person, or Fax: Address, hand-deliver, or fax your written comments to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; fax (202) 493-2251. The Department of Transportation (DOT), which maintains and processes TSA's official regulatory dockets, will scan the submission and post it to FDMS. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for format and other information about comment submissions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Gambone, Office of Revenue, TSA-14, Transportation Security Administration, 701 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6014; telephone (571) 227-2323; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Retroactive Application This IFR conforms TSA's regulations to recently enacted amendments to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) that require a limitation for round-trip air transportation.\1\ As the law stipulates that the statutory amendment shall apply ``to a trip in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that is purchased on or after the date of the enactment of this Act,'' \2\ the statutory amendments became effective on December 19, 2014. Therefore, direct air carriers and foreign air carriers in air transportation, foreign air transportation, and intrastate air transportation originating at airports in the United States (air carriers) will be held responsible for applying the round- trip limitation to all relevant air transportation sold on or after 12 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on December 19, 2014. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Public Law 113-294 (Dec. 19, 2014; 128 Stat. 4009). \2\ Id. at sec. 1(b). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments Invited TSA is requesting public comment on this IFR. TSA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments must be limited to the issues raised in this IFR as the comment period for the 2014 IFR has closed. See ADDRESSES above for information on where to submit comments. With each comment, please identify the docket number at the beginning of your comments. TSA encourages commenters to provide their names and addresses. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the rulemaking, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. You may submit comments and material electronically, in person, by mail, or fax as provided under ADDRESSES, but please submit your comments and material by only one means. If you submit comments by mail or delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you would like TSA to acknowledge receipt of comments submitted by mail, include with your comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the postcard and mail it to you. TSA will file all comments to our docket address, as well as items sent to the address or email under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, in the public docket, except for comments containing confidential information and sensitive security information (SSI). Should you wish your personally identifiable information redacted prior to filing in the docket, please so state. TSA will consider all comments that are in the docket on or before the closing date for comments and will consider comments filed late to the extent practicable. The docket is available for public inspection before and after the comment closing date. Handling of Confidential or Proprietary Information and Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Submitted in Public Comments Do not submit comments that include trade secrets, confidential commercial or financial information, or SSI to the public regulatory docket. Please submit such comments separately from other comments on the rulemaking. Comments containing this type of information should be appropriately marked as containing such information and submitted by mail to the address listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. TSA will not place comments containing SSI in the public docket and will handle them in accordance with [[Page 31851]] applicable safeguards and restrictions on access. TSA will hold documents containing SSI, confidential business information, or trade secrets in a separate file to which the public does not have access, and place a note in the public docket explaining that commenters have submitted such documents. TSA may include a redacted version of the comment in the public docket. If an individual requests to examine or copy information that is not in the public docket, TSA will treat it as any other request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS') FOIA regulation found in 6 CFR part 5. Reviewing Comments in the Docket Please be aware that anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments in any of our dockets by the name of the individual who submitted the comment (or signed the comment, if an association, business, labor union, etc., submitted the comment). You may review the applicable Privacy Act Statement published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477) and modified on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316). You may review TSA's electronic public docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. In addition, DOT's Docket Management Facility provides a physical facility, staff, equipment, and assistance to the public. To obtain assistance or to review comments in TSA's public docket, you may visit this facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, or call (202) 366- 9826. This docket operations facility is located in the West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Availability of Rulemaking Document You may obtain an electronic copy of this document using the Internet by-- (1) Searching the electronic Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web page at http://www.regulations.gov; (2) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR to view the daily published Federal Register edition; or accessing the ``Search the Federal Register by Citation'' in the ``Related Resources'' column on the left, if you need to do a Simple or Advanced search for information, such as a type of document that crosses multiple agencies or dates; or (3) Visiting TSA's Security Regulations Web page at http://www.tsa.gov and accessing the link for ``Stakeholders'' at the top of the page, then the link ``Research Center'' in the left column. In addition, copies are available by writing or calling the individual in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Make sure to identify the docket number of this rulemaking. Small Entity Inquiries The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA) requires TSA to comply with small entity requests for information and advice about compliance with statutes and regulations within TSA's jurisdiction. Any small entity that has a question regarding this document may contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Persons can obtain further information regarding SBREFA on the Small Business Administration's Web page at http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_lib.html. Background The security service fee was initially authorized under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), enacted in 2001 following the events of September 11, 2001 and the government's assumption of civil aviation services previously provided by air carriers.\3\ As enacted under ATSA, the fee was limited by statute to no more than $2.50 per enplanement or $5.00 per one-way trip.\4\ The ATSA provision was implemented through an IFR published in December 2001 (2001 IFR).\5\ In the 2001 IFR, the passenger fee was set at $2.50 per enplanement. The regulation further limited application of the passenger fee to no more than two (2) enplanements per one-way trip or four (4) enplanements per round trip. As enacted by ATSA, the law provided that the fee ``may not exceed'' [emphasis added] $2.50 per enplanement or $5.00 per one-way trip, thus vesting TSA with discretion to cap fees at a lower amount, such as by including a cap on enplanements charged per round trip.\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ Public Law 107-71 (115 Stat. 597; Nov. 19, 2001) (codified in relevant portions at 49 U.S.C. 44940). \4\ See 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) (2002). \5\ 66 FR 67698 (Dec. 31, 2001), codified at 49 CFR part 1510. \6\ 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) (2002). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In December of 2013, Congress amended 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (Budget Act of 2013).\7\ The Budget Act of 2013 amended 49 U.S.C. 44940 to restructure the basis and amount of the fee. As amended, 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) stated that the fee ``shall be $5.60 per one-way trip. . . .'' TSA implemented the Budget Act of 2013's amendments through an IFR published on June 20, 2014 (2014 IFR),\8\ which took effect July 21, 2014. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ Public Law 113-67 (127 Stat. 1165; Dec. 26, 2013). \8\ 79 FR 35461 (June 20, 2014). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since publication of the 2014 IFR, sec. 44940(c) was further amended by Congress in December 2014 to include a round-trip limitation.\9\ The section now reads (amendment in italics): --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \9\ Public Law 113-294. ``. . . Fees imposed under subsection (a)(1) shall be $5.60 per one-way trip in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that originates at an airport in the United States, except that the --------------------------------------------------------------------------- fee imposed per round trip shall not exceed $11.20. The amendment also added a definition of round trip: ``. . . In this subsection, the term ``round trip'' means a trip on an air travel itinerary that terminates or has a stopover at the origin point (or co-terminal). Finally, the law specified that the changes ``shall apply with respect to a trip in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that is purchased on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.'' As a result, the round-trip limitation became effective for all tickets sold after 12:00 a.m. (EST) on December 19, 2014 (the day the legislation was signed by the President). Good Cause for Adoption Without Prior Notice and Comment This action is being taken without providing the opportunity for notice and comment. Section 44940(d) of title 49, U.S.C., exempts the imposition of the civil aviation security fees authorized in sec. 44940 from the procedural rulemaking notice and comment procedures set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Apart from the statutory exemption discussed above, the APA allows an agency to forego notice and comment rulemaking when ``the agency for good cause finds . . . that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' \10\ Public Law 113-294 took effect on December 19, 2014, creating a discrepancy between TSA's regulations and what is statutorily required. Because the requirement is in effect without this rulemaking, TSA finds that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) for making this an IFR without advance notice and comment. In addition, as the statute has already taken effect and passengers and industry may seek [[Page 31852]] confirmation from TSA with respect to proper implementation of the statute, TSA believes that further delays associated with notice and comment procedures would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(b). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This IFR only includes a delayed effective date for the co-terminal definition (including the approved list of co-terminals referenced in that definition), which has not been previously included in TSA's regulations--although it has been consistently applied throughout the history of implementing the security service fee. The APA allows an agency to implement a rule immediately, rather than requiring a 30-day delayed effective date, if the agency finds good cause.\11\ This regulation is necessary to make TSA's regulations consistent with adjustments to the security service fee that took effect on December 19, 2014. Publication of this IFR does not modify the effective date of the statutory requirement contained in Public Law 113-294; air carriers are required to apply a round-trip limitation to the security service fee for air transportation sold on or after December 19, 2014. Therefore, TSA finds good cause to implement these conforming regulations immediately, as the statutory requirements are already in effect, and thus a delayed effective date is unnecessary. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although this action is exempt from notice and comment requirements, TSA has chosen to issue this rulemaking as an IFR to provide an opportunity for comments before the 2014 IFR is finalized. TSA will accept comments on this rulemaking supplement to the 2014 IFR until August 3, 2015. TSA is not soliciting comments with respect to any other issues concerning the 2014 IFR, except to the extent affected by this rule, as the deadline for such comments has expired. See DATES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for guidance on the schedule and method for submitting comments. TSA will address the comments received on this IFR in a subsequent final rule. Issuance of Interim Final Rule In light of amendments to the relevant statutory provision while TSA is in the rulemaking process to implement previous amendments to the same provision, TSA is issuing an IFR to conform its regulations consistent with the statute (i.e., 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) as amended by Pub. L. 113-294). This IFR, like the 2014 IFR, implements the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 44940 in TSA regulations and allows TSA to ensure consistent implementation of the statute as it affects passengers in air transportation until such time as a final rule is published. Changes to the 2014 Interim Final Rule The amendments made by Public Law 113-294 provide that the fee imposed per round trip shall not exceed $11.20 and define ``round trip'' to mean a trip on an air travel itinerary that terminates or has a stopover at the origin point (or co-terminal). Therefore, 49 CFR 1510.5 is amended by this IFR to add that passengers may not be charged more than $11.20 per round trip, conforming the regulation to the amendments made by Public Law 113-294. The definition of a ``round trip'' stipulated in Public Law 133-294 is being added to 49 CFR 1510.3. As previously noted, a ``round trip'' is defined in 49 U.S.C. 44940(c)(2) \12\ as ``a trip on an air travel itinerary that terminates or has a stopover at the origin point (or co-terminal).'' \13\ This definition is the same definition in use before the 2014 IFR for purposes of determining with a round-trip limitation applied. Consistent with previous practice, TSA notes that just as it is possible for there to be multiple one-way trips on an itinerary, there can also be multiple round trips on an itinerary.\14\ In addition to including the definition of ``round trip'' provided in the statute, which is consistent with TSA's use of this term in the past for implementing the fee,\15\ this IFR also includes definitions for other terms used in the statutory definition of ``round trip.'' These terms include ``co-terminal,'' ``origin point,'' and ``terminates.'' The term ``stopover,'' which is also used in the statute, was previously defined in the 2014 IFR. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ As amended by Public Law 113-294. \13\ See 49 U.S.C. 44940(c)(2) as the provision is amended by Public Law 113-294. \14\ See U.S. DHS/TSA Letter re: Rule-Fees-ATA Docket Response and Clarification Letter TSA 06-11-07 (dated October 24, 2006) (TSA 2006 Letter). This document is available at www.regulations.gov, under docket number TSA-2001-11120-0075. \15\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consistent with the statute and previous practice before July 21, 2014, a trip on an air travel itinerary that terminates or has a stopover at either the origin point, or a co-terminal of the origin point, is subject to the round-trip limitation. A ``co-terminal'' is defined to incorporate situations where multiple airports provide service to the same geographic area.\16\ Co-terminal relationships are used by some air carriers for fare construction or routing, such as standby and flight changes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ Although TSA has not previously defined ``co-terminal'' for these purposes, TSA provides a definition here to foster transparency and consistent application of the fee across airlines and reservation systems. TSA anticipates that the definition is consistent with the historic practice of airlines in this context. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The docket for this rulemaking includes a comprehensive list of co- terminal airports (both domestic and foreign airports) which TSA has approved for determining application of the security service fee. TSA has based its list of approved co-terminals on consistent use of these designations by the industry for purposes of fare construction and routing and by TSA for compliance reviews associated with the security service fee. Through this IFR, TSA invites comments on the co-terminal designations. TSA will publish a notice in the Federal Register should the list of approved co-terminals be revised in the future. The terms ``origin point'' and ``terminates'' are added solely for the purpose of determining whether the round-trip limitation applies. In other words, the ``origin point'' of an itinerary is considered for purposes of determining whether the round-trip limitation applies; the definition has no bearing on the determination whether a trip is in ``air transportation . . . that originates at an airport in the United States.'' \17\ The security service fee applies to any one-way trip in air transportation that departs from an airport in the United States, including certain domestic flights that are part of air travel to or from a foreign country.\18\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \17\ 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) (2014); see also 49 U.S.C. 44940(a) (the TSA Administrator ``shall impose a uniform fee, on passengers of air carriers and foreign air carriers in air transportation and intrastate air transportation originating at airports in the United States''). \18\ See 79 FR at 35465. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TSA welcomes comment on each of these changes. In Table 1 of the 2014 IFR, TSA provided an analysis comparing itinerary examples showing the difference in fee imposition between the 2001 IFR and the 2014 IFR. In Table 1 of this IFR, TSA updates that analysis to reflect a comparison between fee imposition under the 2014 IFR and imposition as a result of Pub. L. 113-294.\19\ Consistent with past practice under the regulatory round-trip limitation that existed until July 2014, the only itinerary example in this analysis affected by the round-trip limitation is the trip that begins in Newark, sequential stopovers in [[Page 31853]] Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, and Chicago, then returns to Newark (the penultimate itinerary in Table 1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ TSA has removed examples intended to demonstrate differences in the definition of ``stopover,'' as they are not relevant to this rulemaking. Table 1--Comparison of Current Fee Imposition (Under 49 CFR Part 1510) (Effective July 21, 2014) and Fee Imposition Resulting From Public Law 113-294 (Effective December 19, 2014) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Itinerary examples 49 CFR Part 1510 Public Law 113-294 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Washington Dulles to Chicago $11.20; 2 one-way $11.20; 1 round (stopover), Chicago to trips. trip with 2 Washington Dulles. chargeable one- way trips. Washington Dulles to Chicago, $5.60; 1 one-way $5.60; 1 round Chicago to Washington Dulles trip. trip with 1 \20\. chargeable one- way trip. Washington Dulles to Chicago, $11.20; 2 one-way $11.20; 1 round Chicago to Los Angeles trips. trip with 2 (stopover), Los Angeles to chargeable one- Chicago, Chicago to Washington way trips. Dulles. Washington Dulles to Chicago, $11.20; 2 one-way $11.20; 1 round Chicago to Los Angeles, Los trips. trip with 2 Angeles to Seattle (stopover), chargeable one- Seattle to Los Angeles, Los way trips. Angeles to Chicago, Chicago to Washington Dulles. Washington Dulles to Chicago, $11.20; 2 one-way $11.20; 2 one-way Chicago to Los Angeles, Los trips. trips. Angeles to Seattle (stopover), Seattle to Los Angeles. Paris to New York, New York to $5.60; 1 one-way $5.60. 1 one-way Chicago. trip. trip. Chicago to New York (stopover), $16.80; 3 one-way $16.80; 3 one-way New York to Frankfurt trips. trips. (stopover), Frankfurt to Chicago, Chicago to Minneapolis. Newark to Chicago (stopover), $28.00; 5 one-way $28.00; 5 one-way Chicago to Denver (stopover), trips. trips. Denver to Las Vegas (stopover), Las Vegas to Chicago (stopover), Chicago to San Francisco. Newark to Chicago (stopover), $28.00; 5 one-way $11.20; 1 round Chicago to Denver (stopover), trips. trip with 2 Denver to Las Vegas (stopover), chargeable one- Las Vegas to Chicago way trips. (stopover), Chicago to Newark. Orlando to Pittsburgh $33.60; 6 one-way $33.60; 3 round (stopover), Pittsburgh to trips. trips with 6 Orlando (stopover), Orlando to chargeable one- Pittsburgh (stopover), way trips (2 Pittsburgh to Orlando chargeable one- (stopover), Orlando to way trips per Pittsburgh (stopover), round trip). Pittsburgh to Orlando. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Regulatory Impact Analyses Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') and 13563 (``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'') direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ This itinerary example is being added in response to questions received to clarify that application of the fee to this itinerary is unchanged from how it has been charged since the security service fee was first collected in 2002. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This IFR consists of an administrative revision necessary to conform TSA regulations to a self-executing amendment to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c), which took effect on the date of enactment--December 19, 2014.\21\ This rulemaking is significant under E.O. 12866 and, therefore, OMB has reviewed this IFR. TSA has prepared an analysis of its estimated costs and benefits, presented in the following paragraphs using the current 2014 IFR as a baseline. Table 2 presents the OMB Circular A-4 Accounting Statement for this IFR. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \21\ Public Law 113-294. Table 2--OMB A-4 Accounting Statement [Fiscal Year 2015--Fiscal Year 2023] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Category Estimate ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Benefits ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annualized monetized benefits -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annualized quantified, but -- unmonetized, benefits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Qualitative (un-quantified) Provides a regulatory efficiency by benefits. aligning current regulations with Legislation. ------------------------------------------ -- ------------------------------------------ Allow TSA to continue providing security functions made possible by the collection of fees. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 31854]] Costs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annualized monetized costs... -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annualized quantified, but -- unmonetized, costs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Qualitative (un-quantified) Direct air carriers and foreign air costs. carriers may incur costs to update their computer and ticket sales systems to reflect the new fee structure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transfers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annualized monetized $85,917,221 7% transfers. ------------------------------------------ $86,699,144 3% ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From whom to whom?........... From the government to air passengers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Costs As previously noted, this IFR consists of an administrative revision to make TSA's regulations consistent with an amendment to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c), which requires air carriers to apply a round-trip limitation of $11.20 to the security service fee for air transportation sold on or after December 19, 2014.\22\ As this limitation was not included in the Budget Act of 2013, it was not considered for the analysis of the 2014 IFR. As such, to estimate the impact of this IFR, TSA compares the impact of the fee structure imposed by the Budget Act of 2013 (considered as baseline) and the fee structure with a round- trip limitation as imposed by Public Law 113-294. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \22\ Public Law 113-294. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the Budget Act of 2013, TSA was required to deposit a specified amount of revenue per year from 2014-2023 to the general fund of the Treasury, with the remaining receipts offsetting TSA appropriations. Table 3 below shows this breakdown, as it was presented in the 2014 IFR. Table 3--Fee Allocation Under the Budget Act of 2013 [No round-trip limitation] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fees allocated Total fees Fiscal year Fee allocated for for the general collected--$5.60 security services fund per one-way trip ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY14 Q4................................................ $560,070,072 $390,000,000 $950,070,072 FY15................................................... 2,453,125,839 1,190,000,000 3,643,125,839 FY16................................................... 2,465,988,356 1,250,000,000 3,715,988,356 FY17................................................... 2,510,308,123 1,280,000,000 3,790,308,123 FY18................................................... 2,546,114,285 1,320,000,000 3,866,114,285 FY19................................................... 2,583,436,571 1,360,000,000 3,943,436,571 FY20................................................... 2,622,305,302 1,400,000,000 4,022,305,302 FY21................................................... 2,662,751,408 1,440,000,000 4,102,751,408 FY22................................................... 2,704,806,437 1,480,000,000 4,184,806,437 FY23................................................... 2,748,502,565 1,520,000,000 4,268,502,565 -------------------------------------------------------- Total.............................................. 23,857,408,958 12,630,000,000 36,487,408,958 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The estimated fees collected, as presented in Table 3, do not include a round-trip limitation. As described in the Background section of this preamble, the Budget Act of 2013 amended 49 U.S.C. to restructure the basis and amount of the security service fee and also removed TSA's ability to provide for a round-trip limitation in its regulations. TSA implemented the Budget Act of 2013's amendments through the 2014 IFR. A round-trip limitation is now being imposed as a result of the amendment to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) made by Public Law 113-294. To estimate the fee collection with the $11.20 limitation on round trips, TSA first determined the number of round-trip itineraries using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).\23\ According to BTS data, approximately 66 percent of all tickets are considered round-trip tickets. Using the number of round-trip versus not-round-trip tickets, TSA estimates [[Page 31855]] that approximately 79 percent \24\ of total one-way trips are part of a round-trip itinerary. Table 4 presents the breakdown of trips. As required by Public Law 113-294, imposition of a round-trip limitation took effect at 12:00 a.m. on December 19, 2014. As such, TSA only accounts for 285 days in FY15 in order to estimate the impact of the statutory amendment upon implementation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \23\ TSA uses the Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B) showing the Number of Passengers by Market Coupons for 2012. According to the BTS, a coupon is defined as a piece of paper or series of papers indicating the itinerary of a passenger. Each segment, or trip, on an itinerary has one coupon. \24\ TSA estimated that 79 percent of total trips are part of a round trip itinerary by dividing (c) by (a) on Table 4. Table 4--Breakdown of One-Way Trips by Itinerary Type ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One-way trips as part of round- Fiscal year trip itinerary One-way trips Total trips \25\ (a) (b) (c) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY15................................................... 403,606,577 104,363,513 507,970,090 FY16................................................... 527,237,644 136,331,705 663,569,349 FY17................................................... 537,782,397 139,058,339 676,840,736 FY18................................................... 548,538,045 141,839,506 690,377,551 FY19................................................... 559,508,806 144,676,296 704,185,102 FY20................................................... 570,698,982 147,569,822 718,268,804 FY21................................................... 582,112,962 150,521,218 732,634,180 FY22................................................... 593,755,221 153,531,643 747,286,864 FY23................................................... 605,630,326 156,602,275 762,232,601 -------------------------------------------------------- Total.............................................. 4,928,870,961 1,274,494,316 6,203,365,277 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The imposition of a fee limitation for round trips results in a decrease in fees assessed from air passengers for those one-way trips that are part of a round-trip itinerary. To establish this difference, TSA again used BTS data to determine the average number of segments per each round-trip flight. Based on the BTS data of round-trip itineraries with more than two flight-coupons,\26\ TSA estimates that the average round-trip itinerary has 3.1 coupons. TSA uses the number of coupons to represent the number of one-way trips on a single itinerary. The fee limitation allows TSA to collect security service fees for two segments of an average round-trip itinerary. As a result, on average, TSA estimates the round-trip limitation will result in not collecting 1.1 security service fees for each itinerary with more than two segments.\27\ Table 5 provides TSA's estimates of the count and amount of revenue collected with a round-trip limitation. The total fees collected over the period of analysis would be $33.95 billion undiscounted, or $24.19 billion and $29.17 billion, discounted at 7 and 3 percent, respectively. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ The number of one-way trips as part of a round trip itinerary is calculated by multiplying the total number of trips by 79 percent. \26\ Each coupon represents a distinct trip, or travel segment, of the itinerary. As such, the number of coupons on an itinerary equals the number of one-way trips that could potentially require a security service fee. \27\ This estimate is based on data from the BTS DB1B ticket query. To calculate the average number of coupons, TSA divided the total number of coupons for round trip itineraries with more than two coupons by the itinerary count. On average, an itinerary with more than two coupons has 3.1 coupons. (3,500,928/1,126,565=3.1). If collections are limited to two one-way trips per itinerary, TSA will be forfeiting the collection of 1.1 security service fees (3.1-2). Table 5--Estimated Fees Collected With Estimated Round Trips -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total count of Fiscal year round trip fees Count of one-way Fees collected Fees collected one- Total fees \28\ fees round trip way collected (A) (B) (C = round trip (D = one-way fees x (F) = (C) + (D) fees x $11.20) $5.60) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY15........................................... 196,059,350 104,363,513 $2,195,864,720 $584,435,673 $2,780,300,393 FY16........................................... 256,115,425 136,331,705 2,868,492,755 763,457,547 3,631,950,302 FY17........................................... 261,237,733 139,058,339 2,925,862,610 778,726,698 3,704,589,308 FY18........................................... 266,462,488 141,839,506 2,984,379,863 794,301,232 3,778,681,095 FY19........................................... 271,791,737 144,676,296 3,044,067,460 810,187,257 3,854,254,716 FY20........................................... 277,227,572 147,569,822 3,104,948,809 826,391,002 3,931,339,811 FY21........................................... 282,772,124 150,521,218 3,167,047,785 842,918,822 4,009,966,607 FY22........................................... 288,427,566 153,531,643 3,230,388,741 859,777,198 4,090,165,939 FY23........................................... 294,196,117 156,602,275 3,294,996,516 876,972,742 4,171,969,258 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................................... 2,394,290,112 1,274,494,316 26,816,049,258 7,137,168,171 33,953,217,429 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparing the fee structure, with and without a round-trip limitation, results in an estimated decrease in revenue collected from passengers of $785.63 million over the period of analysis.\29\ Table 6 compares the estimated revenue as analyzed in the 2014 IFR to the estimated revenue as a result of the amendments made by Public Law 213- 294. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \28\ To estimate the number of round trip fees, TSA subtracts the number of fees not collected from the number of one-way trips as part of a round-trip itinerary and divides by two. Fees not collected is calculated by multiplying the number of round trips with more than two coupons by 1.1 coupons not considered for collection, which is then subtracted from the total number of trips to estimate the total number of trips with fees collected. This is then subtracted from the total number of fees to estimate the fees not collected. \29\ To compare the 2014 IFR to this rule, TSA uses a period of analysis that includes the remaining portion of FY15 through the end of FY23, as that is the remaining period for which allocated funds to the general fund of the Treasury are specified. [[Page 31856]] Table 6--Comparing Estimated Revenue From 2014 IFR With Imposition of Round-Trip Limitation Under Public Law 113-294 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Difference (lost Lost revenue Lost revenue Fiscal year 2014 IFR Public Law 113-294 revenue) (discounted at 7%) (discounted at 3%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY15........................................... $2,844,632,504 $2,780,300,393 ($64,332,112) ($60,123,469) ($62,458,361) FY16........................................... 3,715,988,356 3,631,950,302 (84,038,053) (73,402,090) ($79,213,925) FY17........................................... 3,790,308,123 3,704,589,308 (85,718,814) (69,972,086) ($78,444,858) FY18........................................... 3,866,114,285 3,778,681,095 (87,433,191) (66,702,363) ($77,683,258) FY19........................................... 3,943,436,571 3,854,254,716 (89,181,855) (63,585,430) ($76,929,051) FY20........................................... 4,022,305,302 3,931,339,811 (90,965,492) (60,614,148) ($76,182,167) FY21........................................... 4,102,751,408 4,009,966,607 (92,784,801) (57,781,711) ($75,442,534) FY22........................................... 4,184,806,437 4,090,165,939 (94,640,497) (55,081,631) ($74,710,083) FY23........................................... 4,268,502,565 4,171,969,258 (96,533,307) (52,507,723) ($73,984,742) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................................... 34,738,845,552 33,953,217,429 (785,628,123) (559,770,652) (675,048,979) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annualized............................. ................... ................... ................... (85,917,221) (86,699,144) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because these changes affect information provided in the 2014 IFR, Table 7 provides a revised analysis of the revenue to be collected from the security service fee in terms of the allocations available to offset TSA's appropriations for providing civil aviation security. Table 7--Revised Revenue Allocation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fee allocated for Fees allocated for Total fees Fiscal year security services the general fund collected ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY15 \30\........................................ $1,590,300,393 $1,190,000,000 $2,780,300,393 FY16............................................. 2,381,950,302 1,250,000,000 3,631,950,302 FY17............................................. 2,424,589,308 1,280,000,000 3,704,589,308 FY18............................................. 2,458,681,095 1,320,000,000 3,778,681,095 FY19............................................. 2,494,254,716 1,360,000,000 3,854,254,716 FY20............................................. 2,531,339,811 1,400,000,000 3,931,339,811 FY21............................................. 2,569,966,607 1,440,000,000 4,009,966,607 FY22............................................. 2,610,165,939 1,480,000,000 4,090,165,939 FY23............................................. 2,651,969,258 1,520,000,000 4,171,969,258 -------------------------------------------------------------- Total........................................ 21,713,217,429 12,240,000,000 33,953,217,429 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the $33.95 billion collected over the period of analysis, $12.24 billion will be credited as offsetting receipts and deposited in the general funds of the Treasury, as specified in the Budget Act of 2013. As such, TSA will see a $785.63 million reduction in fees collected from air passengers for security services over the period of analysis, as compared to the 2014 IFR.\31\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \30\ For Table 7, TSA presents fees allocated for security services and total fees collected based on 285 days in FY15, but includes the total FY15 allocation for the General Fund as mandated in the Budget Act of 2013. \31\ Under the 2014 IFR, TSA would collect $23.30 billion for security services, whereas under this rule, TSA would collect $21.71 billion for the period of analysis. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TSA anticipates that there might be costs associated with each direct and foreign air carrier updating their current computer and ticket sales systems to reflect the new fee structure. Such costs are associated with the changes required by the statute that took effect on December 19, 2014. Alternatives Discussion As this IFR is simply conforming TSA's regulations to changes in the statute, TSA has limited discretion when formulating this rule. Because of the unambiguous nature of the legislative language, there are no feasible alternatives for TSA to explore with this rulemaking that were not discussed in the 2014 IFR. Regulatory Flexibility Act Assessment The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980 requires that agencies perform a review to determine whether a proposed or final rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If the determination is that it will, the agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA. For purposes of the RFA, small entities include small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. Individuals and States are not included in the definition of a small entity. When no notice of proposed rulemaking has first been published, no such assessment is required for a final rule. Furthermore, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) exempts rules from the requirements of the RFA when an agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. As discussed in the preamble, this IFR is exempt from the procedural rulemaking requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) requires that a Federal agency consider the impact of paperwork and other information collection burdens imposed on the public and, under the provisions of PRA sec. 3507(d), obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information it conducts, sponsors, or requires through regulations. Information collection requirements associated with the security service fee requirements of 49 CFR part 1510 have been approved by the OMB through August 31, 2015, under the PRA [[Page 31857]] provisions, and assigned OMB Control Number 1652-0001. There are no changes to the information collection resulting from this rulemaking. International Trade Impact Assessment The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 \32\ prohibits Federal agencies from establishing any standards or engaging in related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires consideration of international standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards. TSA has assessed the potential effect of this rulemaking and as TSA has determined that it does not impose significant barriers to international trade. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \32\ Public Law 96-39 (93 Stat. 144; July 26, 1979). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unfunded Mandates Assessment The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 \33\ (UMRA), is intended, among other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of UMRA requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final rule that may result in a $100 million or more expenditure (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector; such a mandate is deemed to be a ``significant regulatory action.'' Before TSA promulgates a rule for which a written statement is needed, sec. 205 of UMRA generally requires TSA to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, most cost effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of sec. 205 do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. In addition, the requirements of Title II of UMRA do not apply when rulemaking actions are taken without the issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking. Accordingly, TSA has not prepared a written statement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ Public Law 104-4 (109 Stat. 66; March 22, 1995). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Compatibility In keeping with U.S. obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, it is TSA policy to comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices to the maximum extent practicable. TSA has reviewed the corresponding ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices and has identified no differences with these regulations. The ICAO guidance document on aviation fees and charges, ICAO Document 9082 (Ninth Edition--2012), ICAO's Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services, recommends consultations before fees are imposed on carriers. In addition, Article 12 of the Air Transport Agreement between the United States of America and the European Community and its Member States, signed on April 25 and 30, 2007, encourages consultation between the charging authority and affected carriers. As the change to the security service fee has been set by Congress and there are no additional changes to how the program is implemented by TSA, no additional consultations by TSA are required. Executive Order 13132, Federalism TSA has analyzed this IFR under the principles and criteria of E.O. 13132, Federalism. We determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, or on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, and, therefore, does not have federalism implications. Environmental Analysis TSA has reviewed this action for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 \34\ (NEPA) and has determined that this action will not have a significant effect on the human environment. This action is covered by categorical exclusion (CATEX) number A3(b) in DHS Management Directive 023-01 (formerly Management Directive 5100.1), Environmental Planning Program, which guides TSA compliance with NEPA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \34\ 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Energy Impact Analysis The energy impact of the action has been assessed in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act \35\ (EPCA). We have determined that this rulemaking is not a major regulatory action under the provisions of the EPCA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \35\ Public Law 94-163 (89 Stat. 871; Dec. 22, 1975), as amended (42 U.S.C. 6362). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1510 Accounting, Auditing, Air carriers, Air transportation, Enforcement, Federal oversight, Foreign air carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures. The Amendments For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Transportation Security Administration amends part 1510 of Chapter XII of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 1510--PASSENGER CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY SERVICE FEES 0 1. The authority citation for part 1510 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 114, 40113, and 44940. 0 2. In Sec. 1510.3, add definitions for ``co-terminal,'' ``origin point,'' ``round trip,'' and ``terminates'' in alphabetical order to read as follows: Sec. 1510.3 Definitions. * * * * * Co-terminal means an airport serving a multi-airport city or metropolitan area that has been approved by TSA to be used as the same point for purposes of determining application of the security service fee imposed under Sec. 1510.5 of this part. Copies of the approved list are available on TSA's Web site at www.tsa.gov or by contacting [email protected]. * * * * * Origin point means the location at which a trip on a complete air travel itinerary begins. * * * * * Round trip means a trip on an air travel itinerary that terminates or has a stopover at the origin point (or co-terminal). * * * * * Terminates means the location at which a trip on a complete air travel itinerary ends. 0 3. In Sec. 1510.5, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows: Sec. 1510.5 Imposition of security service fees. (a) Each direct air carrier and foreign air carrier described in Sec. 1510.9(a) shall impose a security service fee of $5.60 per one- way trip for air transportation originating at an airport in the United States. Passengers may not be charged more than $5.60 per one-way trip or $11.20 per round trip. * * * * * Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on May 29, 2015. Mark Hatfield, Acting Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. 2015-13506 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-05-P
![31850 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: May 18, 2015. (Eastern Standard Time) on December to participate in this rulemaking by
Roy E. Wright, 19, 2014. submitting written comments, data, or
Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, views. Comments must be limited to the
Insurance and Mitigation Administration, identified by the TSA docket number to issues raised in this IFR as the comment
Department of Homeland Security, Federal this rulemaking, to the Federal Docket period for the 2014 IFR has closed. See
Emergency Management Agency. Management System (FDMS), a ADDRESSES above for information on
[FR Doc. 2015–13664 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am] government-wide, electronic docket where to submit comments.
BILLING CODE 9110–12–P management system, using any one of With each comment, please identify
the following methods: the docket number at the beginning of
Electronically: You may submit your comments. TSA encourages
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND comments through the Federal commenters to provide their names and
SECURITY eRulemaking portal at http:// addresses. The most helpful comments
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online reference a specific portion of the
Transportation Security Administration instructions for submitting comments. rulemaking, explain the reason for any
Mail, In Person, or Fax: Address, recommended change, and include
49 CFR Part 1510 hand-deliver, or fax your written supporting data. You may submit
comments to the Docket Management comments and material electronically,
[Docket No. TSA–2001–11120; Amendment
Facility, U.S. Department of in person, by mail, or fax as provided
No. 1510–5]
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey under ADDRESSES, but please submit
RIN 1652–AA68 your comments and material by only
Avenue SE., West Building Ground
one means. If you submit comments by
Adjustment of Passenger Civil Aviation Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC
mail or delivery, submit them in an
Security Service Fee 20590–0001; fax (202) 493–2251. The
unbound format, no larger than 8.5 by
Department of Transportation (DOT),
AGENCY: Transportation Security 11 inches, suitable for copying and
which maintains and processes TSA’s
Administration, DHS. electronic filing.
official regulatory dockets, will scan the If you would like TSA to acknowledge
ACTION: Interim final rule; request for submission and post it to FDMS. receipt of comments submitted by mail,
comments. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for include with your comments a self-
format and other information about addressed, stamped postcard on which
SUMMARY: The Transportation Security comment submissions.
Administration (TSA) is issuing this the docket number appears. We will
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: stamp the date on the postcard and mail
interim final rule (IFR) to address a Michael Gambone, Office of Revenue,
statutory change affecting the IFR it to you.
TSA–14, Transportation Security TSA will file all comments to our
published on June 20, 2014 (2014 IFR), Administration, 701 South 12th Street, docket address, as well as items sent to
which implemented the passenger civil Arlington, VA 20598–6014; telephone the address or email under FOR FURTHER
aviation security service fee (security (571) 227–2323; email: tsa-fees@ INFORMATION CONTACT, in the public
service fee) increase mandated by the dhs.gov. docket, except for comments containing
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. This IFR
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: confidential information and sensitive
conforms TSA’s regulations to statutory
security information (SSI). Should you
amendments enacted since publication Retroactive Application wish your personally identifiable
of the 2014 IFR. These amendments
This IFR conforms TSA’s regulations information redacted prior to filing in
impose a round-trip limitation on the
to recently enacted amendments to 49 the docket, please so state. TSA will
security service fee. All other aspects of
U.S.C. 44940(c) that require a limitation consider all comments that are in the
the regulations, including those made
for round-trip air transportation.1 As the docket on or before the closing date for
by the 2014 IFR and provisions
law stipulates that the statutory comments and will consider comments
unchanged by this rule, remain in effect.
amendment shall apply ‘‘to a trip in air filed late to the extent practicable. The
TSA is also requesting comments on
transportation or intrastate air docket is available for public inspection
added definitions related to imposition
transportation that is purchased on or before and after the comment closing
of a round-trip limitation. TSA is not
after the date of the enactment of this date.
soliciting comments with respect to any
other issues concerning the 2014 IFR, Act,’’ 2 the statutory amendments Handling of Confidential or Proprietary
except to the extent affected by this rule, became effective on December 19, 2014. Information and Sensitive Security
as the deadline for such comments has Therefore, direct air carriers and foreign Information (SSI) Submitted in Public
expired. air carriers in air transportation, foreign Comments
air transportation, and intrastate air
DATES: Do not submit comments that include
transportation originating at airports in
Effective date: June 4, 2015, except for trade secrets, confidential commercial
the United States (air carriers) will be
the definition of ‘‘co-terminal’’ in or financial information, or SSI to the
held responsible for applying the round-
§ 1510.3, which is effective July 6, 2015. public regulatory docket. Please submit
trip limitation to all relevant air
Comment date: Comments must be such comments separately from other
transportation sold on or after 12 a.m.
received by August 3, 2015. comments on the rulemaking.
(Eastern Standard Time) on December
Applicability date: Direct air carriers Comments containing this type of
19, 2014.
and foreign air carriers in air information should be appropriately
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
transportation, foreign air Comments Invited marked as containing such information
transportation, and intrastate air TSA is requesting public comment on and submitted by mail to the address
transportation originating at airports in this IFR. TSA invites interested persons listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
the United States (air carriers) will be CONTACT section.
held responsible for applying the round- 1 Public Law 113–294 (Dec. 19, 2014; 128 Stat. TSA will not place comments
trip limitation to all relevant air 4009). containing SSI in the public docket and
transportation sold on or after 12 a.m. 2 Id. at sec. 1(b). will handle them in accordance with
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 31851
applicable safeguards and restrictions www.tsa.gov and accessing the link for stated that the fee ‘‘shall be $5.60 per
on access. TSA will hold documents ‘‘Stakeholders’’ at the top of the page, one-way trip. . . .’’ TSA implemented
containing SSI, confidential business then the link ‘‘Research Center’’ in the the Budget Act of 2013’s amendments
information, or trade secrets in a left column. through an IFR published on June 20,
separate file to which the public does In addition, copies are available by 2014 (2014 IFR),8 which took effect July
not have access, and place a note in the writing or calling the individual in the 21, 2014.
public docket explaining that FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Since publication of the 2014 IFR, sec.
commenters have submitted such section. Make sure to identify the docket 44940(c) was further amended by
documents. TSA may include a redacted number of this rulemaking. Congress in December 2014 to include
version of the comment in the public a round-trip limitation.9 The section
Small Entity Inquiries
docket. If an individual requests to now reads (amendment in italics):
examine or copy information that is not The Small Business Regulatory
‘‘. . . Fees imposed under subsection (a)(1)
in the public docket, TSA will treat it Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
shall be $5.60 per one-way trip in air
as any other request under the Freedom (SBREFA) requires TSA to comply with transportation or intrastate air transportation
of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) small entity requests for information that originates at an airport in the United
and the Department of Homeland and advice about compliance with States, except that the fee imposed per round
Security’s (DHS’) FOIA regulation found statutes and regulations within TSA’s trip shall not exceed $11.20.
in 6 CFR part 5. jurisdiction. Any small entity that has a
The amendment also added a
question regarding this document may
Reviewing Comments in the Docket definition of round trip:
contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER
Please be aware that anyone is able to INFORMATION CONTACT. Persons can ‘‘. . . In this subsection, the term ‘‘round
search the electronic form of all obtain further information regarding trip’’ means a trip on an air travel itinerary
that terminates or has a stopover at the origin
comments in any of our dockets by the SBREFA on the Small Business
point (or co-terminal).
name of the individual who submitted Administration’s Web page at http://
the comment (or signed the comment, if www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_lib.html. Finally, the law specified that the
an association, business, labor union, changes ‘‘shall apply with respect to a
Background trip in air transportation or intrastate air
etc., submitted the comment). You may
review the applicable Privacy Act The security service fee was initially transportation that is purchased on or
Statement published in the Federal authorized under the Aviation and after the date of the enactment of this
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Act.’’ As a result, the round-trip
19477) and modified on January 17, enacted in 2001 following the events of limitation became effective for all
2008 (73 FR 3316). September 11, 2001 and the tickets sold after 12:00 a.m. (EST) on
You may review TSA’s electronic government’s assumption of civil December 19, 2014 (the day the
public docket on the Internet at http:// aviation services previously provided by legislation was signed by the President).
www.regulations.gov. In addition, DOT’s air carriers.3 As enacted under ATSA,
the fee was limited by statute to no more Good Cause for Adoption Without Prior
Docket Management Facility provides a
than $2.50 per enplanement or $5.00 per Notice and Comment
physical facility, staff, equipment, and
assistance to the public. To obtain one-way trip.4 The ATSA provision was This action is being taken without
assistance or to review comments in implemented through an IFR published providing the opportunity for notice and
TSA’s public docket, you may visit this in December 2001 (2001 IFR).5 In the comment. Section 44940(d) of title 49,
facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 2001 IFR, the passenger fee was set at U.S.C., exempts the imposition of the
Monday through Friday, excluding legal $2.50 per enplanement. The regulation civil aviation security fees authorized in
holidays, or call (202) 366–9826. This further limited application of the sec. 44940 from the procedural
docket operations facility is located in passenger fee to no more than two (2) rulemaking notice and comment
the West Building Ground Floor, Room enplanements per one-way trip or four procedures set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553 of
W12–140 at 1200 New Jersey Avenue (4) enplanements per round trip. As the Administrative Procedure Act
SE., Washington, DC 20590. enacted by ATSA, the law provided that (APA).
the fee ‘‘may not exceed’’ [emphasis Apart from the statutory exemption
Availability of Rulemaking Document added] $2.50 per enplanement or $5.00 discussed above, the APA allows an
You may obtain an electronic copy of per one-way trip, thus vesting TSA with agency to forego notice and comment
this document using the Internet by— discretion to cap fees at a lower amount, rulemaking when ‘‘the agency for good
(1) Searching the electronic Federal such as by including a cap on cause finds . . . that notice and public
Docket Management System (FDMS) enplanements charged per round trip.6 procedure thereon are impracticable,
Web page at http://www.regulations.gov; In December of 2013, Congress unnecessary, or contrary to the public
(2) Accessing the Government amended 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) as part of interest.’’ 10 Public Law 113–294 took
Printing Office’s Web page at http:// the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 effect on December 19, 2014, creating a
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/ (Budget Act of 2013).7 The Budget Act discrepancy between TSA’s regulations
collection.action?collectionCode=FR to of 2013 amended 49 U.S.C. 44940 to and what is statutorily required.
view the daily published Federal restructure the basis and amount of the Because the requirement is in effect
Register edition; or accessing the fee. As amended, 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) without this rulemaking, TSA finds that
‘‘Search the Federal Register by good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)
Citation’’ in the ‘‘Related Resources’’ 3 Public Law 107–71 (115 Stat. 597; Nov. 19,
for making this an IFR without advance
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
column on the left, if you need to do a 2001) (codified in relevant portions at 49 U.S.C. notice and comment. In addition, as the
Simple or Advanced search for 44940).
4 See 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) (2002). statute has already taken effect and
information, such as a type of document 5 66 FR 67698 (Dec. 31, 2001), codified at 49 CFR passengers and industry may seek
that crosses multiple agencies or dates; part 1510.
or 6 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) (2002). 8 79 FR 35461 (June 20, 2014).
(3) Visiting TSA’s Security 7 Public Law 113–67 (127 Stat. 1165; Dec. 26, 9 Public Law 113–294.
Regulations Web page at http:// 2013). 10 See 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 31853
Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, and Chicago, then returns to Newark (the
Chicago, then returns to Newark (the penultimate itinerary in Table 1).
penultimate itinerary in Table 1).
TABLE 1—COMPARISON OF CURRENT FEE IMPOSITION (UNDER 49 CFR PART 1510) (EFFECTIVE JULY 21, 2014) AND
FEE IMPOSITION RESULTING FROM PUBLIC LAW 113–294 (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 19, 2014)
Itinerary examples 49 CFR Part 1510 Public Law 113–294
Washington Dulles to Chicago (stopover), Chicago to Washington Dul- $11.20; 2 one-way trips ................. $11.20; 1 round trip with 2 charge-
les. able one-way trips.
Washington Dulles to Chicago, Chicago to Washington Dulles 20 ......... $5.60; 1 one-way trip ..................... $5.60; 1 round trip with 1 charge-
able one-way trip.
Washington Dulles to Chicago, Chicago to Los Angeles (stopover), $11.20; 2 one-way trips ................. $11.20; 1 round trip with 2 charge-
Los Angeles to Chicago, Chicago to Washington Dulles. able one-way trips.
Washington Dulles to Chicago, Chicago to Los Angeles, Los Angeles $11.20; 2 one-way trips ................. $11.20; 1 round trip with 2 charge-
to Seattle (stopover), Seattle to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Chi- able one-way trips.
cago, Chicago to Washington Dulles.
Washington Dulles to Chicago, Chicago to Los Angeles, Los Angeles $11.20; 2 one-way trips ................. $11.20; 2 one-way trips.
to Seattle (stopover), Seattle to Los Angeles.
Paris to New York, New York to Chicago ............................................... $5.60; 1 one-way trip ..................... $5.60. 1 one-way trip.
Chicago to New York (stopover), New York to Frankfurt (stopover), $16.80; 3 one-way trips ................. $16.80; 3 one-way trips.
Frankfurt to Chicago, Chicago to Minneapolis.
Newark to Chicago (stopover), Chicago to Denver (stopover), Denver $28.00; 5 one-way trips ................. $28.00; 5 one-way trips.
to Las Vegas (stopover), Las Vegas to Chicago (stopover), Chicago
to San Francisco.
Newark to Chicago (stopover), Chicago to Denver (stopover), Denver $28.00; 5 one-way trips ................. $11.20; 1 round trip with 2 charge-
to Las Vegas (stopover), Las Vegas to Chicago (stopover), Chicago able one-way trips.
to Newark.
Orlando to Pittsburgh (stopover), Pittsburgh to Orlando (stopover), Or- $33.60; 6 one-way trips ................. $33.60; 3 round trips with 6
lando to Pittsburgh (stopover), Pittsburgh to Orlando (stopover), Or- chargeable one-way trips (2
lando to Pittsburgh (stopover), Pittsburgh to Orlando. chargeable one-way trips per
round trip).
Regulatory Impact Analyses environmental, public health and safety which took effect on the date of
effects, distributive impacts, and enactment—December 19, 2014.21 This
Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 equity). Executive Order 13563 rulemaking is significant under E.O.
(‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review’’) emphasizes the importance of 12866 and, therefore, OMB has
and 13563 (‘‘Improving Regulation and quantifying both costs and benefits, of reviewed this IFR. TSA has prepared an
Regulatory Review’’) direct agencies to reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, analysis of its estimated costs and
assess the costs and benefits of available and of promoting flexibility. benefits, presented in the following
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation This IFR consists of an administrative paragraphs using the current 2014 IFR
is necessary, to select regulatory revision necessary to conform TSA as a baseline. Table 2 presents the OMB
approaches that maximize net benefits regulations to a self-executing Circular A–4 Accounting Statement for
(including potential economic, amendment to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c), this IFR.
TABLE 2—OMB A–4 ACCOUNTING STATEMENT
[Fiscal Year 2015—Fiscal Year 2023]
Category Estimate
Benefits
Annualized monetized benefits .............................................................................................................................. —
Annualized quantified, but unmonetized, benefits ................................................................................................. —
Qualitative (un-quantified) benefits ........................................................................................................................ Provides a regulatory efficiency
by aligning current regulations
with Legislation.
—
Allow TSA to continue providing
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security functions made pos-
sible by the collection of fees.
20 This itinerary example is being added in from how it has been charged since the security 21 Public Law 113–294.
response to questions received to clarify that service fee was first collected in 2002.
application of the fee to this itinerary is unchanged
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![31854 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2—OMB A–4 ACCOUNTING STATEMENT—Continued
[Fiscal Year 2015—Fiscal Year 2023]
Category Estimate
Costs
Annualized monetized costs .................................................................................................................................. —
Annualized quantified, but unmonetized, costs ..................................................................................................... —
Qualitative (un-quantified) costs ............................................................................................................................ Direct air carriers and foreign air
carriers may incur costs to up-
date their computer and ticket
sales systems to reflect the
new fee structure.
Transfers
Annualized monetized transfers ............................................................................................................................ $85,917,221 7%
$86,699,144 3%
From whom to whom? ........................................................................................................................................... From the government to air pas-
sengers.
Costs this limitation was not included in the Under the Budget Act of 2013, TSA
Budget Act of 2013, it was not was required to deposit a specified
As previously noted, this IFR consists considered for the analysis of the 2014 amount of revenue per year from 2014–
of an administrative revision to make IFR. As such, to estimate the impact of 2023 to the general fund of the Treasury,
TSA’s regulations consistent with an this IFR, TSA compares the impact of with the remaining receipts offsetting
amendment to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c), the fee structure imposed by the Budget TSA appropriations. Table 3 below
which requires air carriers to apply a Act of 2013 (considered as baseline) and shows this breakdown, as it was
round-trip limitation of $11.20 to the the fee structure with a round-trip presented in the 2014 IFR.
security service fee for air transportation limitation as imposed by Public Law
sold on or after December 19, 2014.22 As 113–294.
TABLE 3—FEE ALLOCATION UNDER THE BUDGET ACT OF 2013
[No round-trip limitation]
Total fees
Fee allocated for Fees allocated for
Fiscal year collected—$5.60
security services the general fund per one-way trip
FY14 Q4 .................................................................................................................... $560,070,072 $390,000,000 $950,070,072
FY15 .......................................................................................................................... 2,453,125,839 1,190,000,000 3,643,125,839
FY16 .......................................................................................................................... 2,465,988,356 1,250,000,000 3,715,988,356
FY17 .......................................................................................................................... 2,510,308,123 1,280,000,000 3,790,308,123
FY18 .......................................................................................................................... 2,546,114,285 1,320,000,000 3,866,114,285
FY19 .......................................................................................................................... 2,583,436,571 1,360,000,000 3,943,436,571
FY20 .......................................................................................................................... 2,622,305,302 1,400,000,000 4,022,305,302
FY21 .......................................................................................................................... 2,662,751,408 1,440,000,000 4,102,751,408
FY22 .......................................................................................................................... 2,704,806,437 1,480,000,000 4,184,806,437
FY23 .......................................................................................................................... 2,748,502,565 1,520,000,000 4,268,502,565
Total .................................................................................................................... 23,857,408,958 12,630,000,000 36,487,408,958
The estimated fees collected, as regulations. TSA implemented the number of round-trip itineraries using
presented in Table 3, do not include a Budget Act of 2013’s amendments data from the Bureau of Transportation
round-trip limitation. As described in through the 2014 IFR. Statistics (BTS).23 According to BTS
the Background section of this A round-trip limitation is now being data, approximately 66 percent of all
preamble, the Budget Act of 2013 imposed as a result of the amendment tickets are considered round-trip tickets.
amended 49 U.S.C. to restructure the to 49 U.S.C. 44940(c) made by Public Using the number of round-trip versus
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basis and amount of the security service Law 113–294. To estimate the fee not-round-trip tickets, TSA estimates
fee and also removed TSA’s ability to collection with the $11.20 limitation on
provide for a round-trip limitation in its round trips, TSA first determined the
22 PublicLaw 113–294. by Market Coupons for 2012. According to the BTS, Each segment, or trip, on an itinerary has one
23 TSA uses the Airline Origin and Destination a coupon is defined as a piece of paper or series coupon.
Survey (DB1B) showing the Number of Passengers of papers indicating the itinerary of a passenger.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 31857
provisions, and assigned OMB Control reviewed the corresponding ICAO and recordkeeping requirements,
Number 1652–0001. There are no Standards and Recommended Practices Security measures.
changes to the information collection and has identified no differences with
The Amendments
resulting from this rulemaking. these regulations.
The ICAO guidance document on For the reasons set forth in the
International Trade Impact Assessment preamble, the Transportation Security
aviation fees and charges, ICAO
The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 32 Document 9082 (Ninth Edition—2012), Administration amends part 1510 of
prohibits Federal agencies from ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports Chapter XII of Title 49, Code of Federal
establishing any standards or engaging and Air Navigation Services, Regulations as follows:
in related activities that create recommends consultations before fees
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign are imposed on carriers. In addition, PART 1510—PASSENGER CIVIL
commerce of the United States. Article 12 of the Air Transport AVIATION SECURITY SERVICE FEES
Legitimate domestic objectives, such as Agreement between the United States of
safety, are not considered unnecessary ■ 1. The authority citation for part 1510
America and the European Community continues to read as follows:
obstacles. The statute also requires and its Member States, signed on April
consideration of international standards 25 and 30, 2007, encourages Authority: 49 U.S.C. 114, 40113, and
and, where appropriate, that they be the consultation between the charging 44940.
basis for U.S. standards. TSA has authority and affected carriers. ■ 2. In § 1510.3, add definitions for ‘‘co-
assessed the potential effect of this As the change to the security service terminal,’’ ‘‘origin point,’’ ‘‘round trip,’’
rulemaking and as TSA has determined fee has been set by Congress and there and ‘‘terminates’’ in alphabetical order
that it does not impose significant are no additional changes to how the to read as follows:
barriers to international trade. program is implemented by TSA, no
additional consultations by TSA are § 1510.3 Definitions.
Unfunded Mandates Assessment
required. * * * * *
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Co-terminal means an airport serving
of 1995 33 (UMRA), is intended, among Executive Order 13132, Federalism
a multi-airport city or metropolitan area
other things, to curb the practice of TSA has analyzed this IFR under the that has been approved by TSA to be
imposing unfunded Federal mandates principles and criteria of E.O. 13132, used as the same point for purposes of
on State, local, and tribal governments. Federalism. We determined that this determining application of the security
Title II of UMRA requires each Federal action will not have a substantial direct service fee imposed under § 1510.5 of
agency to prepare a written statement effect on the States, or on the this part. Copies of the approved list are
assessing the effects of any Federal relationship between the National available on TSA’s Web site at
mandate in a proposed or final rule that Government and the States, or on the www.tsa.gov or by contacting tsa-fees@
may result in a $100 million or more distribution of power and dhs.gov.
expenditure (adjusted annually for responsibilities among the various * * * * *
inflation) in any one year by State, local, levels of government, and, therefore, Origin point means the location at
and tribal governments, in the aggregate, does not have federalism implications. which a trip on a complete air travel
or by the private sector; such a mandate
Environmental Analysis itinerary begins.
is deemed to be a ‘‘significant regulatory
action.’’ Before TSA promulgates a rule TSA has reviewed this action for * * * * *
for which a written statement is needed, purposes of the National Environmental Round trip means a trip on an air
sec. 205 of UMRA generally requires Policy Act of 1969 34 (NEPA) and has travel itinerary that terminates or has a
TSA to identify and consider a determined that this action will not stopover at the origin point (or co-
reasonable number of regulatory have a significant effect on the human terminal).
alternatives and adopt the least costly, environment. This action is covered by * * * * *
most cost effective, or least burdensome categorical exclusion (CATEX) number Terminates means the location at
alternative that achieves the objectives A3(b) in DHS Management Directive which a trip on a complete air travel
of the rule. The provisions of sec. 205 023–01 (formerly Management Directive itinerary ends.
do not apply when they are inconsistent 5100.1), Environmental Planning ■ 3. In § 1510.5, revise paragraph (a) to
with applicable law. In addition, the Program, which guides TSA compliance read as follows:
requirements of Title II of UMRA do not with NEPA.
apply when rulemaking actions are § 1510.5 Imposition of security service
taken without the issuance of a notice Energy Impact Analysis fees.
of proposed rulemaking. Accordingly, The energy impact of the action has (a) Each direct air carrier and foreign
TSA has not prepared a written been assessed in accordance with the air carrier described in § 1510.9(a) shall
statement. Energy Policy and Conservation Act 35 impose a security service fee of $5.60
(EPCA). We have determined that this per one-way trip for air transportation
International Compatibility originating at an airport in the United
rulemaking is not a major regulatory
In keeping with U.S. obligations action under the provisions of the States. Passengers may not be charged
under the Convention on International EPCA. more than $5.60 per one-way trip or
Civil Aviation, it is TSA policy to $11.20 per round trip.
comply with International Civil List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1510 * * * * *
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Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards Accounting, Auditing, Air carriers, Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on May 29,
and Recommended Practices to the Air transportation, Enforcement, Federal 2015.
maximum extent practicable. TSA has oversight, Foreign air carriers, Reporting Mark Hatfield,
32 Public
Acting Deputy Administrator.
Law 96–39 (93 Stat. 144; July 26, 1979). 34 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
33 Public Law 104–4 (109 Stat. 66; March 22, 35 Public Law 94–163 (89 Stat. 871; Dec. 22, [FR Doc. 2015–13506 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am]
1995). 1975), as amended (42 U.S.C. 6362). BILLING CODE 9110–05–P
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:24:17
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:24:17
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Interim final rule; request for comments. | |
| Contact | Michael Gambone, Office of Revenue, TSA-14, Transportation Security Administration, 701 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6014; telephone (571) 227-2323; email: tsa- [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 31850 | |
| RIN Number | 1652-AA68 | |
| CFR Associated | Accounting; Auditing; Air Carriers; Air Transportation; Enforcement; Federal Oversight; Foreign Air Carriers; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Security Measures |
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