82 FR 6684 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand Forecasting Survey

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 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 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6684-6685]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01087]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9825]


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

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
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 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to March 
20, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the Internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2016-0079'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.

[[Page 6685]]

     Email: [email protected].
     Regular Mail: Send written comments to: Bureau of Consular 
Affairs, Passport Services Directorate, Attention: Strategic Planning 
Division CA/PPT/S/PPS/SP Office of Planning and Program Support, 600 
19th Street NW., Washington, DC 20520-0001.
     Fax: (202) 485-6496 Attn: Desk Officer for Department of 
State.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

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: SV2012-0006.
     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 survey respondents 
annually.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 survey respondents 
annually.
     Average Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
     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 U.S. from abroad. 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.

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. 2017-01087 Filed 1-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P