82 FR 29359 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand Forecasting Survey

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 123 (June 28, 2017)

The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29359-29360]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13500]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10042]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Survey

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we 
are requesting comments on this collection from all interested 
individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 
30 days for public comment.

DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) up to July 28, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to the Office of Passport Services, who may be 
reached at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Survey.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0177.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of 
Passport Services.
     Form Number: SV-2012-0006.
     Respondents: A national representative sample of U.S. 
citizens, nationals, and any other categories of individuals that are 
entitled to a U.S. passport product.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000.
     Average Time per Response: 10 minutes.

[[Page 29360]]

     Total Estimated Burden Time: 8,000 hours.
     Frequency: Monthly.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.
    Abstract of proposed collection: The Secretary of State is 
authorized to issue U.S. passports under 22 U.S.C. 211a. The Department 
of State, Passport Services administers the U.S. passport issuance 
program and operates passport agencies and application adjudication 
centers throughout the United States. As part of the Intelligence 
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the Western Hemisphere 
Travel Initiative required the Secretary of Homeland Security and the 
Secretary of State to implement a plan to require all U.S. citizen and 
non-citizen nationals to present a passport and/or other sufficient 
documentation when entering the United States. This resulted in an 
increase in demand for U.S. passports.
    The Passport Demand Forecasting Survey requests information from 
the general public about the demand for U.S. passports, anticipated 
travel, and the demographic profile of the respondent. This voluntary 
survey is conducted on a monthly basis using responses from a randomly 
selected but nationally representative sample of U.S. nationals ages 18 
and older. The information obtained from the survey is used to monitor 
and project the demand for U.S. passport books and U.S. passport cards. 
The Passport Demand Forecasting Survey aids the Department of State, 
Passport Services in making decisions about staffing, resource 
allocation, and budget planning.
    The Department of State published a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register to solicit public comments on January 19, 2017 (82 FR 6684). 
One comment was received that was not substantive.
    Methodology: The Passport Demand Forecasting Study uses monthly 
surveys that will gather data from a national representative sample of 
U.S. nationals. Survey delivery methodologies can include mail, 
internet/web, telephone, and mix-mode surveys to ensure the CA/PPT 
reaches the appropriate audience and leverages the best research method 
to obtain valid responses. The survey data will cover an estimated 
48,000 respondents annually.

Brenda S. Sprague,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, for Passport Services, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2017-13500 Filed 6-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P