81_FR_3762 81 FR 3748 - Privacy Act of 1974: Implementation of Exemptions; Department of Homeland Security/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database System of Records

81 FR 3748 - Privacy Act of 1974: Implementation of Exemptions; Department of Homeland Security/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database System of Records

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 14 (January 22, 2016)

Page Range3748-3750
FR Document2016-01169

The Department of Homeland Security is giving concurrent notice of an updated and reissued system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the ``Department of Homeland Security/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database System of Records'' and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of the system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 14 (Friday, January 22, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3748-3750]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01169]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 3748]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Office of the Secretary

6 CFR Part 5

[Docket No. DHS-2016-0001]


Privacy Act of 1974: Implementation of Exemptions; Department of 
Homeland Security/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database 
System of Records

AGENCY: Privacy Office, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security is giving concurrent 
notice of an updated and reissued system of records pursuant to the 
Privacy Act of 1974 for the ``Department of Homeland Security/ALL-030 
Use of the Terrorist Screening Database System of Records'' and this 
proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department 
proposes to exempt portions of the system of records from one or more 
provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and 
administrative enforcement requirements.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number DHS-
2016-0001 by one of the following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-343-4010.
     Mail: Karen L. Neuman, Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy 
Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number for this notice. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions or privacy 
issues please contact: Karen L. Neuman, (202-343-1717), Chief Privacy 
Officer, Privacy Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, 
DC 20528.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving notice of a proposed 
rule to accompany an updated system of records notice titled, ``DHS/
ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) System of 
Records.''
    DHS maintains a synchronized copy of the Department of Justice 
(DOJ)/Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-019 Terrorist Screening 
Records System of Records (August 22, 2007, 72 FR 47073) via a 
technological mechanism called DHS Watchlist Service (WLS) that 
disseminates the feed to authorized DHS components. The WLS supports an 
automated and centralized data transmission of TSDB data to DHS. The 
WLS replaced multiple data feeds from the FBI/TSC to DHS and its 
components, as documented by information sharing agreements. The WLS is 
a system to system secure connection with no direct user interface.
    DHS is publishing this notice of proposed rulemaking to account for 
the expansion of the current system of records notice to clarify one 
category of individuals and add two new categories of individuals whose 
information is currently included in, or is contemplated for inclusion 
in, the TSDB. These categories of information have been included in the 
TSDB to in support of the White House's ``Strategy to Combat 
Transnational Organized Crime'' (July 19, 2011), and National Security 
Presidential Directive-59/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-24, 
``Biometrics for Identification and Screening to Enhance National 
Security'' (June 5, 2008). These executive strategies are relevant to 
DHS's vetting and screening operations.
    DHS is clarifying the category of individuals to explicitly include 
relatives, associates, or others closely connected with a known or 
suspected terrorist who are excludable from the United States based on 
these relationships by virtue of sec. 212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act, as amended, and do not otherwise satisfy the 
requirements for inclusion in the TSDB.
    DHS is adding two new categories of individuals to include: (1) 
Individuals who were officially detained during military operations, 
but not as enemy prisoners of war, and who have been identified as 
possibly posing a threat to national security, and who do not otherwise 
satisfy the requirements for inclusion in the TSDB (``military 
detainees''), consistent with E.O. 12333 (or successor order) and the 
DOJ/FBI-019; and (2) individuals who may pose a threat to national 
security because they are (a) known or suspected to be or have been 
engaged in conduct constituting, in aid of, or related to transnational 
organized crime, thereby posing a possible threat to national security, 
and (b) do not otherwise satisfy the requirements for inclusion in the 
TSDB (``transnational organized crime actors''), consistent with E.O. 
12333 (or successor order) (``national security threats'') and in 
support of the White House's ``Strategy to Combat Transnational 
Organized Crime'' (July 19, 2011), and National Security Presidential 
Directive-59/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-24, ``Biometrics 
for Identification and Screening to Enhance National Security'' (June 
5, 2008).
    DHS is also publishing this notice of proposed rulemaking to 
account for the expansion of the current system of records to clarify 
and expand the categories of records maintained by the Department. 
These categories of records are types of data elements included in the 
TSDB and are shared with DHS and have been deemed relevant to 
supporting DHS's vetting and screening operations.
    1. Identifying biographic information, such as name, date of birth, 
place of birth, passport or driver's license information, and any other 
available identifying particulars used to compare the identity of an 
individual being screened with a subject in the TSDB;
    2. Biometric information, such as photographs, fingerprints, or 
iris images, and associated biographic and contextual information;
    3. References to, or information from, other government law 
enforcement and intelligence databases, or other relevant

[[Page 3749]]

databases that may contain terrorism and/or national security 
information, such as unique identification numbers used in other 
systems;
    4. Information collected and compiled to maintain an audit trail of 
the activity of authorized users of WLS information systems; and
    5. System-generated information, including metadata, archived 
records and record histories from WLS.
    DHS is planning future enhancements to the WLS that will provide 
for a central mechanism to receive information from DHS components when 
they encounter a potential match to the TSDB and send this information 
to the FBI/TSC. DHS will update this SORN to reflect such enhancements 
to the WLS once that capability is implemented. All encounter-related 
information sharing from DHS to the FBI/TSC will be conducted pursuant 
to the programmatic system of records notices outlined above.
    DHS previously published a Final Rule in the Federal Register to 
exempt this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy 
Act at 75 FR 55335, Dec. 29, 2011. DHS is publishing a new notice of 
proposed rulemaking to cover the exemptions that will now be applied to 
these new categories of individuals covered within this system of 
records. The existing Final Rule for Privacy Act exemptions continues 
to apply until the new Final Rule is published. This updated system 
will be included in DHS's inventory of record systems.

II. Privacy Act

    The Privacy Act embodies fair information practice principles in a 
statutory framework governing the means by which Federal Government 
agencies collect, maintain, use, and disseminate personally 
identifiable information. The Privacy Act applies to information that 
is maintained in a ``system of records.'' A ``system of records'' is a 
group of any records under the control of an agency from which 
information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some 
identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to 
the individual. In the Privacy Act, an individual is defined to 
encompass U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. As a matter of 
policy, DHS extends administrative Privacy Act protections to all 
individuals where systems of records maintain information on U.S. 
citizens, lawful permanent residents, and visitors.
    The Privacy Act allows government agencies to exempt certain 
records from the access and amendment provisions. If an agency claims 
an exemption, however, it must issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to 
make clear to the public the reasons why a particular exemption is 
claimed.
    DHS is claiming exemptions from certain requirements of the Privacy 
Act for DHS/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database System of 
Records. Some information in DHS/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening 
Database System of Records relates to official DHS national security 
and law enforcement activities. These exemptions are needed to protect 
information relating to DHS activities from disclosure to subjects or 
others related to these activities. Specifically, the exemptions are 
required to preclude subjects of these activities from frustrating 
these processes. Disclosure of information to the subject of the 
inquiry could also permit the subject to avoid detection or 
apprehension. In appropriate circumstances, when compliance would not 
appear to interfere with or adversely affect the law enforcement 
purposes of this system and the overall law enforcement process, the 
applicable exemptions may be waived on a case-by-case basis.
    A notice of system of records for DHS/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist 
Screening Database System of Records is also published elsewhere in 
this issue of the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 6 CFR Part 5

    Freedom of information; Privacy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DHS proposes to amend 
Chapter I of Title 6, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 5--DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS AND INFORMATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 5 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.; Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 
2135; 5 U.S.C. 301. Subpart A also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552. 
Subpart B also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552a.

0
2. In Appendix C to Part 5, revise paragraph 66 to read as follows:

Appendix C to Part 5--DHS Systems of Records Exempt From the Privacy 
Act

* * * * *
    66. The DHS/ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database 
System of Records consists of electronic and paper records and will 
be used by DHS and its components. The DHS/ALL-030 Use of the 
Terrorist Screening Database System of Records is a repository of 
information held by DHS in connection with its several and varied 
missions and functions, including, the enforcement of civil and 
criminal laws; investigations, inquiries, and proceedings there 
under; and national security and intelligence activities. The DHS/
ALL-030 Use of the Terrorist Screening Database System of Records 
contains information that is collected by, on behalf of, in support 
of, or in cooperation with DHS and its components and may contain 
personally identifiable information collected by other Federal, 
State, local, tribal, foreign, or international government agencies. 
The Secretary of Homeland Security, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), 
has exempted this system from the following provisions of the 
Privacy Act: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (c)(4), (d), (e)(1), (e)(2), 
(e)(3), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), (e)(5), (e)(8), (f), and 
(g). Additionally, the Secretary of Homeland Security, pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 552a(k)(1) and (k)(2), has exempted this system from the 
following provisions of the Privacy Act: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), 
(e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), and (f). When a record 
received from another system has been exempted in that source system 
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), DHS will claim the same exemptions for 
those records that are claimed for the original primary systems of 
records from which they originated and claims any additional 
exemptions set forth here. Exemptions from these particular 
subsections are justified, on a case-by-case basis to be determined 
at the time a request is made, for the following reasons:
    (a) From subsection (c)(3) and (4) (Accounting for Disclosures) 
because release of the accounting of disclosures could alert the 
subject of an investigation of an actual or potential criminal, 
civil, or regulatory violation to the existence of that 
investigation and reveal investigative interest on the part of DHS 
as well as the recipient agency. Disclosure of the accounting would 
therefore present a serious impediment to law enforcement efforts 
and/or efforts to preserve national security. Disclosure of the 
accounting would also permit the individual who is the subject of a 
record to impede the investigation, to tamper with witnesses or 
evidence, and to avoid detection or apprehension, which would 
undermine the entire investigative process.
    (b) From subsection (d) (Access to Records) because access to 
the records contained in this system of records could inform the 
subject of an investigation of an actual or potential criminal, 
civil, or regulatory violation to the existence of that 
investigation and reveal investigative interest on the part of DHS 
or another agency. Access to the records could permit the individual 
who is the subject of a record to impede the investigation, to 
tamper with witnesses or evidence, and to avoid detection or 
apprehension. Amendment of the records could interfere with ongoing 
investigations and law enforcement activities and would impose an 
unreasonable administrative burden by requiring investigations to be 
continually reinvestigated. In addition, permitting access and 
amendment to such information could disclose security-sensitive 
information that could be detrimental to homeland security.
    (c) From subsection (e)(1) (Relevancy and Necessity of 
Information) because in the course of investigations into potential 
violations of Federal law, the accuracy of information obtained or 
introduced

[[Page 3750]]

occasionally may be unclear, or the information may not be strictly 
relevant or necessary to a specific investigation. In the interests 
of effective law enforcement, it is appropriate to retain all 
information that may aid in establishing patterns of unlawful 
activity.
    (d) From subsection (e)(2) (Collection of Information from 
Individuals) because requiring that information be collected from 
the subject of an investigation would alert the subject to the 
nature or existence of the investigation, thereby interfering with 
that investigation and related law enforcement activities.
    (e) From subsection (e)(3) (Notice to Subjects) because 
providing such detailed information could impede law enforcement by 
compromising the existence of a confidential investigation or reveal 
the identity of witnesses or confidential informants.
    (f) From subsections (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), and (e)(4)(I) (Agency 
Requirements) and (f) (Agency Rules), because portions of this 
system are exempt from the individual access provisions of 
subsection (d) for the reasons noted above, and therefore DHS is not 
required to establish requirements, rules, or procedures with 
respect to such access. Providing notice to individuals with respect 
to existence of records pertaining to them in the system of records 
or otherwise setting up procedures pursuant to which individuals may 
access and view records pertaining to themselves in the system would 
undermine investigative efforts and reveal the identities of 
witnesses, and potential witnesses, and confidential informants.
    (g) From subsection (e)(5) (Collection of Information) because 
with the collection of information for law enforcement purposes, it 
is impossible to determine in advance what information is accurate, 
relevant, timely, and complete. Compliance with subsection (e)(5) 
would preclude DHS agents from using their investigative training 
and exercise of good judgment to both conduct and report on 
investigations.
    (h) From subsection (e)(8) (Notice on Individuals) because 
compliance would interfere with DHS's ability to obtain, serve, and 
issue subpoenas, warrants, and other law enforcement mechanisms that 
may be filed under seal and could result in disclosure of 
investigative techniques, procedures, and evidence.
    (i) From subsection (g) (Civil Remedies) to the extent that the 
system is exempt from other specific subsections of the Privacy Act.
* * * * *

    Dated: January 12, 2016.
Karen L. Neuman
Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security.

[FR Doc. 2016-01169 Filed 1-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9B-P



                                               3748

                                               Proposed Rules                                                                                                 Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                              Vol. 81, No. 14

                                                                                                                                                              Friday, January 22, 2016



                                               This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    comments received, go to http://                       relationships by virtue of sec.
                                               contains notices to the public of the proposed          www.regulations.gov.                                   212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and
                                               issuance of rules and regulations. The                                                                         Nationality Act, as amended, and do not
                                               purpose of these notices is to give interested          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:    For
                                                                                                       general questions or privacy issues                    otherwise satisfy the requirements for
                                               persons an opportunity to participate in the                                                                   inclusion in the TSDB.
                                               rule making prior to the adoption of the final          please contact: Karen L. Neuman, (202–
                                               rules.                                                  343–1717), Chief Privacy Officer,                         DHS is adding two new categories of
                                                                                                       Privacy Office, Department of Homeland                 individuals to include: (1) Individuals
                                                                                                       Security, Washington, DC 20528.                        who were officially detained during
                                               DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                              military operations, but not as enemy
                                               SECURITY                                                                                                       prisoners of war, and who have been
                                                                                                       I. Background                                          identified as possibly posing a threat to
                                               Office of the Secretary                                    In accordance with the Privacy Act of               national security, and who do not
                                                                                                       1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Department of                 otherwise satisfy the requirements for
                                               6 CFR Part 5                                            Homeland Security (DHS) is giving                      inclusion in the TSDB (‘‘military
                                               [Docket No. DHS–2016–0001]                              notice of a proposed rule to accompany                 detainees’’), consistent with E.O. 12333
                                                                                                       an updated system of records notice                    (or successor order) and the DOJ/FBI–
                                               Privacy Act of 1974: Implementation of                  titled, ‘‘DHS/ALL–030 Use of the                       019; and (2) individuals who may pose
                                               Exemptions; Department of Homeland                      Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB)                    a threat to national security because
                                               Security/ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist                   System of Records.’’                                   they are (a) known or suspected to be or
                                               Screening Database System of                               DHS maintains a synchronized copy                   have been engaged in conduct
                                               Records                                                 of the Department of Justice (DOJ)/                    constituting, in aid of, or related to
                                                                                                       Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-                 transnational organized crime, thereby
                                               AGENCY: Privacy Office, Department of                                                                          posing a possible threat to national
                                                                                                       019 Terrorist Screening Records System
                                               Homeland Security.                                                                                             security, and (b) do not otherwise satisfy
                                                                                                       of Records (August 22, 2007, 72 FR
                                               ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.                                                                         the requirements for inclusion in the
                                                                                                       47073) via a technological mechanism
                                               SUMMARY:   The Department of Homeland                   called DHS Watchlist Service (WLS)                     TSDB (‘‘transnational organized crime
                                               Security is giving concurrent notice of                 that disseminates the feed to authorized               actors’’), consistent with E.O. 12333 (or
                                               an updated and reissued system of                       DHS components. The WLS supports an                    successor order) (‘‘national security
                                               records pursuant to the Privacy Act of                  automated and centralized data                         threats’’) and in support of the White
                                               1974 for the ‘‘Department of Homeland                   transmission of TSDB data to DHS. The                  House’s ‘‘Strategy to Combat
                                               Security/ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist                   WLS replaced multiple data feeds from                  Transnational Organized Crime’’ (July
                                               Screening Database System of Records’’                  the FBI/TSC to DHS and its                             19, 2011), and National Security
                                               and this proposed rulemaking. In this                   components, as documented by                           Presidential Directive-59/Homeland
                                               proposed rulemaking, the Department                     information sharing agreements. The                    Security Presidential Directive-24,
                                               proposes to exempt portions of the                      WLS is a system to system secure                       ‘‘Biometrics for Identification and
                                               system of records from one or more                      connection with no direct user interface.              Screening to Enhance National
                                               provisions of the Privacy Act because of                   DHS is publishing this notice of                    Security’’ (June 5, 2008).
                                               criminal, civil, and administrative                     proposed rulemaking to account for the                    DHS is also publishing this notice of
                                               enforcement requirements.                               expansion of the current system of                     proposed rulemaking to account for the
                                               DATES: Comments must be received on                     records notice to clarify one category of              expansion of the current system of
                                               or before February 22, 2016.                            individuals and add two new categories                 records to clarify and expand the
                                                                                                       of individuals whose information is                    categories of records maintained by the
                                               ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
                                                                                                       currently included in, or is                           Department. These categories of records
                                               identified by docket number DHS–
                                                                                                       contemplated for inclusion in, the                     are types of data elements included in
                                               2016–0001 by one of the following
                                                                                                       TSDB. These categories of information                  the TSDB and are shared with DHS and
                                               methods:
                                                 • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:                        have been included in the TSDB to in                   have been deemed relevant to
                                               http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                  support of the White House’s ‘‘Strategy                supporting DHS’s vetting and screening
                                               instructions for submitting comments.                   to Combat Transnational Organized                      operations.
                                                 • Fax: 202–343–4010.                                  Crime’’ (July 19, 2011), and National                     1. Identifying biographic information,
                                                 • Mail: Karen L. Neuman, Chief                        Security Presidential Directive-59/                    such as name, date of birth, place of
                                               Privacy Officer, Privacy Office,                        Homeland Security Presidential                         birth, passport or driver’s license
                                               Department of Homeland Security,                        Directive-24, ‘‘Biometrics for                         information, and any other available
                                               Washington, DC 20528.                                   Identification and Screening to Enhance                identifying particulars used to compare
                                                 Instructions: All submissions received                National Security’’ (June 5, 2008). These              the identity of an individual being
wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                               must include the agency name and                        executive strategies are relevant to                   screened with a subject in the TSDB;
                                               docket number for this notice. All                      DHS’s vetting and screening operations.                   2. Biometric information, such as
                                               comments received will be posted                           DHS is clarifying the category of                   photographs, fingerprints, or iris images,
                                               without change to http://                               individuals to explicitly include                      and associated biographic and
                                               www.regulations.gov, including any                      relatives, associates, or others closely               contextual information;
                                               personal information provided.                          connected with a known or suspected                       3. References to, or information from,
                                                 Docket: For access to the docket to                   terrorist who are excludable from the                  other government law enforcement and
                                               read background documents or                            United States based on these                           intelligence databases, or other relevant


                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014   14:28 Jan 21, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\22JAP1.SGM   22JAP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                 3749

                                               databases that may contain terrorism                    an agency claims an exemption,                         security and intelligence activities. The DHS/
                                               and/or national security information,                   however, it must issue a Notice of                     ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist Screening
                                               such as unique identification numbers                   Proposed Rulemaking to make clear to                   Database System of Records contains
                                                                                                                                                              information that is collected by, on behalf of,
                                               used in other systems;                                  the public the reasons why a particular
                                                                                                                                                              in support of, or in cooperation with DHS
                                                 4. Information collected and compiled                 exemption is claimed.                                  and its components and may contain
                                               to maintain an audit trail of the activity                DHS is claiming exemptions from                      personally identifiable information collected
                                               of authorized users of WLS information                  certain requirements of the Privacy Act                by other Federal, State, local, tribal, foreign,
                                               systems; and                                            for DHS/ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist                   or international government agencies. The
                                                 5. System-generated information,                      Screening Database System of Records.                  Secretary of Homeland Security, pursuant to
                                               including metadata, archived records                    Some information in DHS/ALL–030 Use                    5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), has exempted this system
                                               and record histories from WLS.                          of the Terrorist Screening Database                    from the following provisions of the Privacy
                                                 DHS is planning future enhancements                   System of Records relates to official                  Act: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (c)(4), (d), (e)(1),
                                               to the WLS that will provide for a                                                                             (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I),
                                                                                                       DHS national security and law                          (e)(5), (e)(8), (f), and (g). Additionally, the
                                               central mechanism to receive                            enforcement activities. These                          Secretary of Homeland Security, pursuant to
                                               information from DHS components                         exemptions are needed to protect                       5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1) and (k)(2), has exempted
                                               when they encounter a potential match                   information relating to DHS activities                 this system from the following provisions of
                                               to the TSDB and send this information                   from disclosure to subjects or others                  the Privacy Act: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d),
                                               to the FBI/TSC. DHS will update this                    related to these activities. Specifically,             (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), and (f).
                                               SORN to reflect such enhancements to                    the exemptions are required to preclude                When a record received from another system
                                               the WLS once that capability is                         subjects of these activities from                      has been exempted in that source system
                                               implemented. All encounter-related                                                                             under 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), DHS will claim the
                                                                                                       frustrating these processes. Disclosure of
                                               information sharing from DHS to the                                                                            same exemptions for those records that are
                                                                                                       information to the subject of the inquiry              claimed for the original primary systems of
                                               FBI/TSC will be conducted pursuant to                   could also permit the subject to avoid
                                               the programmatic system of records                                                                             records from which they originated and
                                                                                                       detection or apprehension. In                          claims any additional exemptions set forth
                                               notices outlined above.                                 appropriate circumstances, when                        here. Exemptions from these particular
                                                 DHS previously published a Final                      compliance would not appear to                         subsections are justified, on a case-by-case
                                               Rule in the Federal Register to exempt                  interfere with or adversely affect the law             basis to be determined at the time a request
                                               this system of records from certain                     enforcement purposes of this system                    is made, for the following reasons:
                                               provisions of the Privacy Act at 75 FR                  and the overall law enforcement                           (a) From subsection (c)(3) and (4)
                                               55335, Dec. 29, 2011. DHS is publishing                 process, the applicable exemptions may                 (Accounting for Disclosures) because release
                                               a new notice of proposed rulemaking to                                                                         of the accounting of disclosures could alert
                                                                                                       be waived on a case-by-case basis.                     the subject of an investigation of an actual or
                                               cover the exemptions that will now be                     A notice of system of records for DHS/
                                               applied to these new categories of                                                                             potential criminal, civil, or regulatory
                                                                                                       ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist Screening                 violation to the existence of that investigation
                                               individuals covered within this system                  Database System of Records is also                     and reveal investigative interest on the part
                                               of records. The existing Final Rule for                 published elsewhere in this issue of the               of DHS as well as the recipient agency.
                                               Privacy Act exemptions continues to                     Federal Register.                                      Disclosure of the accounting would therefore
                                               apply until the new Final Rule is                                                                              present a serious impediment to law
                                               published. This updated system will be                  List of Subjects in 6 CFR Part 5                       enforcement efforts and/or efforts to preserve
                                               included in DHS’s inventory of record                     Freedom of information; Privacy.                     national security. Disclosure of the
                                               systems.                                                  For the reasons stated in the                        accounting would also permit the individual
                                                                                                                                                              who is the subject of a record to impede the
                                               II. Privacy Act                                         preamble, DHS proposes to amend                        investigation, to tamper with witnesses or
                                                                                                       Chapter I of Title 6, Code of Federal                  evidence, and to avoid detection or
                                                  The Privacy Act embodies fair
                                                                                                       Regulations, as follows:                               apprehension, which would undermine the
                                               information practice principles in a
                                               statutory framework governing the                                                                              entire investigative process.
                                                                                                       PART 5—DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS                              (b) From subsection (d) (Access to Records)
                                               means by which Federal Government                       AND INFORMATION                                        because access to the records contained in
                                               agencies collect, maintain, use, and                                                                           this system of records could inform the
                                               disseminate personally identifiable                     ■ 1. The authority citation for part 5 is              subject of an investigation of an actual or
                                               information. The Privacy Act applies to                 revised to read as follows:                            potential criminal, civil, or regulatory
                                               information that is maintained in a                       Authority: 6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.; Pub. L.             violation to the existence of that investigation
                                               ‘‘system of records.’’ A ‘‘system of                    107–296, 116 Stat. 2135; 5 U.S.C. 301.                 and reveal investigative interest on the part
                                               records’’ is a group of any records under               Subpart A also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552.              of DHS or another agency. Access to the
                                               the control of an agency from which                     Subpart B also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552a.             records could permit the individual who is
                                               information is retrieved by the name of                                                                        the subject of a record to impede the
                                                                                                       ■ 2. In Appendix C to Part 5, revise                   investigation, to tamper with witnesses or
                                               the individual or by some identifying                   paragraph 66 to read as follows:                       evidence, and to avoid detection or
                                               number, symbol, or other identifying                                                                           apprehension. Amendment of the records
                                               particular assigned to the individual. In               Appendix C to Part 5—DHS Systems of
                                                                                                                                                              could interfere with ongoing investigations
                                               the Privacy Act, an individual is defined               Records Exempt From the Privacy Act
                                                                                                                                                              and law enforcement activities and would
                                               to encompass U.S. citizens and lawful                   *      *      *       *      *                         impose an unreasonable administrative
                                               permanent residents. As a matter of                        66. The DHS/ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist            burden by requiring investigations to be
                                               policy, DHS extends administrative                      Screening Database System of Records                   continually reinvestigated. In addition,
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                                               Privacy Act protections to all                          consists of electronic and paper records and           permitting access and amendment to such
                                               individuals where systems of records                    will be used by DHS and its components. The            information could disclose security-sensitive
                                                                                                       DHS/ALL–030 Use of the Terrorist Screening             information that could be detrimental to
                                               maintain information on U.S. citizens,                  Database System of Records is a repository of          homeland security.
                                               lawful permanent residents, and                         information held by DHS in connection with                (c) From subsection (e)(1) (Relevancy and
                                               visitors.                                               its several and varied missions and functions,         Necessity of Information) because in the
                                                  The Privacy Act allows government                    including, the enforcement of civil and                course of investigations into potential
                                               agencies to exempt certain records from                 criminal laws; investigations, inquiries, and          violations of Federal law, the accuracy of
                                               the access and amendment provisions. If                 proceedings there under; and national                  information obtained or introduced



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                                               3750                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                               occasionally may be unclear, or the                     DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                   should publish a request for comment in
                                               information may not be strictly relevant or                                                                    a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking when
                                               necessary to a specific investigation. In the           Federal Energy Regulatory                              the agency is seeking to issue or revise
                                               interests of effective law enforcement, it is           Commission                                             a regulation proposing to adopt a
                                               appropriate to retain all information that may                                                                 voluntary consensus standard or a
                                               aid in establishing patterns of unlawful                18 CFR Part 284                                        government-unique standard. Standard
                                               activity.                                                                                                      1.3.22 would be incorporated by
                                                                                                       [Docket No. RM96–1–040]
                                                  (d) From subsection (e)(2) (Collection of                                                                   reference.
                                               Information from Individuals) because                   Standards for Business Practices of                       The Office of the Federal Register
                                               requiring that information be collected from                                                                   requires agencies incorporating material
                                                                                                       Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines
                                               the subject of an investigation would alert the                                                                by reference in final rules to discuss, in
                                               subject to the nature or existence of the               AGENCY:  Federal Energy Regulatory                     the preamble of the final rule, the ways
                                               investigation, thereby interfering with that            Commission. DOE.                                       that the materials it incorporates by
                                               investigation and related law enforcement               ACTION: Proposed rule; request for                     reference are reasonably available to
                                               activities.                                             comment on filing.                                     interested parties and how interested
                                                  (e) From subsection (e)(3) (Notice to                                                                       parties can obtain the materials.1 The
                                               Subjects) because providing such detailed               SUMMARY:    Take notice that on January                regulations also require agencies to
                                               information could impede law enforcement                11, 2016, the North American Energy                    summarize, in the preamble of the final
                                               by compromising the existence of a                      Standards Board (NAESB) filed a report                 rule, the material it incorporates by
                                               confidential investigation or reveal the                with the Commission stating it had                     reference. Standard 1.3.22 (ii)
                                               identity of witnesses or confidential                   approved a minor correction to                         establishes the scheduled quantity when
                                               informants.                                             Standard No. 1.3.22 (ii) of Version 3.0                no response is received for a request for
                                                  (f) From subsections (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H),           of the NAESB Wholesale Gas Quadrant                    confirmation. Our regulations provide
                                               and (e)(4)(I) (Agency Requirements) and (f)             standards, which were incorporated by                  that copies of the NAESB standards
                                               (Agency Rules), because portions of this                reference in the Commission’s                          incorporated by reference may be
                                               system are exempt from the individual access            regulations by order issued by the                     obtained from the North American
                                               provisions of subsection (d) for the reasons            Commission on October 16, 2015.                        Energy Standards Board, 801 Travis
                                               noted above, and therefore DHS is not                   Comments are invited on whether to                     Street, Suite 1675, Houston, TX 77002,
                                               required to establish requirements, rules, or           incorporate this minor correction by                   Phone: (713) 356–0060. NAESB’s Web
                                               procedures with respect to such access.                 reference in the Commission’s                          site is at http://www.naesb.org/. Copies
                                               Providing notice to individuals with respect            regulations.                                           may be inspected at the Federal Energy
                                               to existence of records pertaining to them in                                                                  Regulatory Commission, Public
                                                                                                       DATES: Comments are due on or before
                                               the system of records or otherwise setting up                                                                  Reference and Files Maintenance
                                                                                                       February 10, 2016.
                                               procedures pursuant to which individuals                                                                       Branch, 888 First Street NE.,
                                               may access and view records pertaining to               ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by
                                                                                                       docket number, may be filed in the                     Washington, DC 20426, Phone: (202)
                                               themselves in the system would undermine                                                                       502–8371, http://www.ferc.gov.
                                               investigative efforts and reveal the identities         following ways:
                                                                                                          • Electronic Filing through http://                    The procedures used by NAESB make
                                               of witnesses, and potential witnesses, and                                                                     its standards reasonably available to
                                               confidential informants.                                www.ferc.gov. Documents created
                                                                                                       electronically using word processing                   those affected by the Commission
                                                  (g) From subsection (e)(5) (Collection of                                                                   regulations, which is comprised of
                                               Information) because with the collection of             software should be filed in native
                                                                                                       applications or print-to-PDF format and                entities that have the means to acquire
                                               information for law enforcement purposes, it                                                                   the information they need to effectively
                                               is impossible to determine in advance what              not in a scanned format.
                                                                                                          • Mail/Hand Delivery: Those unable                  participate in Commission proceedings.
                                               information is accurate, relevant, timely, and                                                                 Participants can join NAESB, for an
                                               complete. Compliance with subsection (e)(5)             to file electronically may mail or hand-
                                                                                                       deliver comments to: Federal Energy                    annual membership cost of only $7,000,
                                               would preclude DHS agents from using their
                                                                                                       Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the                which entitles them to full participation
                                               investigative training and exercise of good
                                                                                                       Commission, 888 First Street NE.,                      in NAESB and enables them to obtain
                                               judgment to both conduct and report on
                                                                                                       Washington, DC 20426.                                  these standards at no additional cost.2
                                               investigations.
                                                                                                                                                              Non-members who have purchased the
                                                  (h) From subsection (e)(8) (Notice on                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary
                                                                                                                                                              standards may obtain the Minor
                                               Individuals) because compliance would                   D. Cohen (legal issues), Office of the                 Correction for free, non-members who
                                               interfere with DHS’s ability to obtain, serve,          General Counsel, Federal Energy                        have not purchased the standards may
                                               and issue subpoenas, warrants, and other law            Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street                obtain the Standards Manual for
                                               enforcement mechanisms that may be filed                NE., Washington, DC 20426, Telephone:                  standard 1.3.22 by email for $250 per
                                               under seal and could result in disclosure of            (202) 502–8321, Email: gary.cohen@                     Manual.3 Nonmembers also may obtain
                                               investigative techniques, procedures, and               ferc.gov.                                              the complete set of Standards Manuals,
                                               evidence.
                                                                                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments                    Booklets, and Contracts on CD for
                                                  (i) From subsection (g) (Civil Remedies) to
                                                                                                       are requested on whether to incorporate                $2,000. NAESB also provides a free
                                               the extent that the system is exempt from
                                                                                                       by reference the following NAESB                       electronic read-only version of the
                                               other specific subsections of the Privacy Act.
                                                                                                       Wholesale Gas Quadrant Standard into                   standards for a three business day
                                               *      *     *       *      *                           § 284.12 of the Commission’s                           period or, in the case of a regulatory
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                                                 Dated: January 12, 2016.                              regulations: Nominations Related                       comment period, through the end of the
                                               Karen L. Neuman                                         Standards (Version 3.0, November 14,
                                               Chief Privacy Officer, Department of                    2014, with minor corrections applied                     1 1 CFR 51.5. See Incorporation by Reference, 79

                                                                                                       through June 29, 2015 and MC15021                      FR 66267 (Nov. 7, 2014).
                                               Homeland Security.                                                                                               2 North American Energy Standards Board
                                                                                                       effective November 25, 2015).                          Membership Application, https://www.naesb.org/
                                               [FR Doc. 2016–01169 Filed 1–21–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          Office of Management and Budget                     pdf4/naesbapp.pdf.
                                               BILLING CODE 9110–9B–P                                  Circular A–119 (section 11) (February                    3 NAESB Materials Order Form, https://

                                                                                                       10, 1998) provides that federal agencies               www.naesb.org//pdf/ordrform.pdf.



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Document Created: 2016-01-22 01:16:34
Document Modified: 2016-01-22 01:16:34
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesComments must be received on or before February 22, 2016.
ContactFor general questions or privacy issues please contact: Karen L. Neuman, (202-343-1717), Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
FR Citation81 FR 3748 

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