Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Security Threat Assessment for Individuals Applying for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Drivers License

Susan Perkins
Department of Homeland Security
February 27, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13367-13368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04427]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB 
Review: Security Threat Assessment for Individuals Applying for a 
Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Drivers License

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 30-day notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request 
(ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0027, 
abstracted below to OMB for review and approval of an extension of the 
currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its 
expected burden. TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day 
comment period soliciting comments, of the following collection of 
information on October 22, 2012, 77 FR 64533. The collection involves 
applicant submission of biometric and biographic information for TSA's 
security threat assessment required before obtaining the hazardous 
materials endorsement (HME) on a commercial drivers license (CDL) 
issued by the States and the District of Columbia.

DATES: Send your comments by March 29, 2013. A comment to OMB is most 
effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to Desk Officer, 
Department of Homeland Security/TSA, and sent via electronic mail to 
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Perkins, TSA PRA Officer, Office 
of Information Technology (OIT), TSA-11, Transportation Security 
Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011; 
telephone (571) 227-3398; email TSAPRA@dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available 
at www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and 
approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting 
comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and

[[Page 13368]]

    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

    Title: Security Threat Assessment for Individuals Applying for a 
Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Drivers License
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    OMB Control Number: 1652-0027.
    Forms(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Drivers seeking a hazardous material endorsement 
(HME) on their commercial driver's license (CDL).
    Abstract: This collection supports the implementation of sec. 1012 
of the USA PATRIOT Act (Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272, 396, Oct. 26, 
2001; 49 U.S.C. 5103a), which mandates that no State or the District of 
Columbia may issue a HME on a CDL unless TSA has first determined the 
driver is not a threat to transportation security. TSA's regulations at 
49 CFR part 1572 describe the procedures, standards, and eligibility 
criteria for security threat assessments on individuals seeking to 
obtain, renew, or transfer a HME on a CDL. In order to conduct the 
security threat assessment, States (or a TSA designated agent in States 
that elect to have TSA perform the collection of information) must 
collect information in addition to that already collected for the 
purpose of HME applications, which will occur once approximately every 
five years. The driver is required to submit an application that 
includes personal biographic information (for instance, height, weight, 
eye and hair color, date of birth); information concerning legal 
status, mental health defects history, and criminal history; and 
fingerprints. In addition, 49 CFR part 1572 requires States to maintain 
a copy of the driver application for a period of one year.
    TSA proposes to amend the application to collect minor additional 
information, such as legal status document information and whether the 
driver is a new applicant or renewing or transferring the HME. This 
will enable TSA to better understand and forecast driver retention, 
transfer rate, and drop-rate, thus improving customer service, reducing 
program costs, and enhancing comparability with other Federal 
background checks, including the Transportation Workers Identification 
Credential (TWIC).
    Number of Respondents: 295,000.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 960,000 hours annually.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on February 21, 2013.
Susan Perkins,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2013-04427 Filed 2-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P