Privacy Act of 1974: System of Records; Transportation Security Threat Assessment System (T-STAS) and Registered Traveler (RT) Operations Files, 67731-67736 [05-22124]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• Transportation Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67731-67736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22124]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

[Docket Nos. TSA-2004-19166 and TSA-2004-17982]


Privacy Act of 1974: System of Records; Transportation Security 
Threat Assessment System (T-STAS) and Registered Traveler (RT) 
Operations Files

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS.

ACTION: Notice to alter two existing systems of records; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: TSA is altering two existing systems of records under the 
Privacy Act of 1974. The revisions affect the Transportation Security 
Threat Assessment System (T-STAS), DHS/TSA 002, and Registered Traveler 
(RT) Operations Files, DHS/TSA 015, and will update the ``Categories of 
individuals covered by the system'' section for both systems, and the 
``Categories of records in the system'' section for the T-STAS system.

DATES: Submit comments by December 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the TSA docket 
numbers to this rulemaking, using any one of the following methods:
    Comments Filed Electronically: You may submit comments through the 
docket Web site at https://dms.dot.gov. You also may submit comments 
through the Federal eRulemaking portal at
https://www.regulations.gov.
    Comments Submitted by Mail, Fax, or In Person: Address or deliver 
your written, signed comments to the Docket Management System, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590-0001; Fax: 202-493-2251.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for format and other information 
about comment submissions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa S. Dean, Privacy Officer, Office 
of Transportation Security Policy, TSA-9, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone (571) 227-3947; facsimile (571) 
227-2555.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    TSA invites interested persons to participate by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. See ADDRESSES above for information on where 
to submit comments.
    With each comment, please include your name and address, identify 
the docket number at the beginning of your comments, and give the 
reason for each comment. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the document, 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 two copies, in an 
unbound format, no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, suitable for copying 
and electronic filing.
    If you want 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 in the public docket all comments received, except 
for comments containing confidential information and sensitive security 
information (SSI) \1\, TSA will consider all comments received 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.
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    \1\ ``Sensitive Security Information'' or ``SSI'' is information 
obtained or developed in the conduct of security activities, the 
disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of 
privacy, reveal trade secrets or privileged or confidential 
information, or be detrimental to the security of transportation. 
The protection of SSI is governed by 49 CFR part 1520.
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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 the address listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    TSA will not place such comments in the public docket, but rather, 
will handle these comments in accordance with applicable safeguards and 
restrictions on access. TSA will hold them in a separate file to which 
the public does not have access, and place a note in the public docket 
that TSA has received such materials from the commenter. If TSA 
receives a request to examine or copy this information, 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 received into any of our dockets by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted 
on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may 
review the applicable Privacy Act Statement published in the Federal 
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
    You may review the comments in the public docket by visiting the 
Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,

[[Page 67732]]

Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Dockets Office is 
located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the Department of 
Transportation address, previously provided under ADDRESSES. Also, you 
may review public dockets on the Internet at
https://dms.dot.gov.

Availability of Document

    You can get an electronic copy using the Internet by--
    (1) Searching the Department of Transportation's electronic Docket 
Management System (DMS) Web page (https://dms.dot.gov/search);
    (2) Accessing the Government Printing Office's Web page at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/; or
    (3) Visiting TSA's Law and Policy Web page at https://www.tsa.gov 
and accessing the link for ``Law and Policy'' at the top of the page.
    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(s) of this document.

Background

    TSA is altering two existing systems of records under the Privacy 
Act of 1974. The first, the Transportation Security Threat Assessment 
System (T-STAS) (DHS/TSA 002), facilitates the performance of threat 
assessments and employment investigations on individuals who require 
special access to the transportation system, and was last amended in a 
notice published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2004 (69 FR 
71837).
    The second, the Registered Traveler (RT) Operations Files (DHS/TSA 
015), relates to a pilot project designed to positively identify 
certain travelers who volunteer to participate in the program. The 
program may expedite the pre-boarding process and improve allocation of 
TSA resources. Information concerning the RT program was last published 
in the Federal Register on June 1, 2004 (69 FR 30948).
    TSA is in the process of improving its direct access to certain 
governmental databases used in performing security threat assessments 
in order to more efficiently perform such assessments. The improved 
access will result in the individuals covered by these databases being 
added to TSA record systems. Accordingly, TSA is amending the 
``Categories of individuals covered by the system'' portions of T-STAS 
and RT systems of records by adding, at the end of the list of 
individuals, a new category to include: ``Known or suspected terrorists 
identified in the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) of the Terrorist 
Screening Center (TSC); individuals identified by TSA who are on the 
Selectee List because they pose a viable threat to civil aviation or 
national security; and individuals on classified and unclassified 
governmental terrorist, law enforcement, immigration, or intelligence 
databases, including databases maintained by the Department of Defense, 
National Counterterrorism Center, or Federal Bureau of Investigation.''
    TSA is also making further amendments to the ``Categories of 
individuals covered by the system'' and to the ``Categories of records 
in the system'' in the T-STAS system, which it is not making to the RT 
system, by expanding and clarifying various sections as follows:
    (1) Adding a new category (l) to the categories of individuals, to 
expressly include individuals seeking to become, or qualified as, known 
shippers. These individuals are currently covered by category (g) 
``Other individuals who are connected to the transportation industry 
for whom TSA conducts security threat assessments to ensure 
transportation security,'' but express identification in a new category 
(l) will clarify that this system covers these individuals.
    (2) Adding the term ``shipping venues'' to the introductory 
paragraph of the categories of individuals, and revising category (9) 
of ``Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including 
categories of users and the purposes of such uses'' section to reflect 
that TSA will disclose information to air carriers and indirect air 
carriers regarding individuals who contract for, or seek access to, 
transportation infrastructure or assets.
    (3) Including in the introductory paragraph of the categories of 
individuals, individuals seeking, or being provided access to, 
Sensitive Security Information or Classified information provided in 
connection with transportation security matters.
    (4) Modifying the first sentence of ``Categories of individuals 
covered by this system,'' and category (a) of the ``Purpose(s)'' 
sections to clarify that the system covers all types of evaluations 
performed for security purposes.
    (5) Revising categories (d) and (p), and adding a new category (u) 
at the end of the list of records in the ``Categories of records in the 
system,'' as follows:
     Current category (d) covers various forms of Government-
issued licensing or identification information. The category is being 
revised to expressly reflect the inclusion of citizenship and 
immigration records, alien registration numbers, and visa information. 
These items are currently listed in category (o) and will be repeated 
in (d) to clarify that such records are not limited to travel 
documents, as they are listed in category (o).
     Current category (p) covers criminal history records 
obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This category 
is being revised to include other criminal history records, such as 
Department of Defense and some state and local criminal history 
records. While these records are described in existing category of 
record (r) ``Other information provided by Federal, State, and local 
government agencies or private entities,'' TSA has determined that 
amending the category of records will clarify that criminal history 
records from several sources may be part of this system.
     TSA is adding a new category (u) to include suitability 
testing and results of such testing. This expansion of the category of 
records is intended to cover any tests that transportation-related 
employees or contractors may be required to undergo.
    The complete revised notice of the systems of records follows.
System of Records
DHS/TSA 002

System name:
    Transportation Security Threat Assessment System (T-STAS).

Security classification:
    Classified, Sensitive.

System location:
    Records are maintained at the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) Headquarters, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 
22202. Some records may also be maintained at the offices of TSA 
contractors, or in TSA field offices.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    Individuals who undergo a security threat assessment, employment 
investigation, or other evaluation performed for security purposes, in 
order to obtain access to the following: transportation infrastructure 
or assets, such as terminals, facilities, pipelines, railways, mass 
transit, vessels, aircraft, or vehicles; restricted airspace; passenger 
baggage; cargo; shipping venues; Sensitive Security Information or 
Classified information provided in connection with transportation 
security matters; or transportation-related instruction or training 
(such as flight training). This includes, but is not limited to, the 
following individuals:
    (a) Individuals who require or seek access to airport secured, 
sterile, or a

[[Page 67733]]

Security Identification Display Area (SIDA); have or seek unescorted 
access authority to these areas; have or seek authority to grant others 
unescorted access to these areas; have or seek regular escorted access 
to these areas; or are seeking identification that is evidence of 
employment at the airport.
    (b) Individuals who have or are seeking responsibility for 
screening passengers or carry-on baggage, and those persons serving as 
immediate supervisors and the next supervisory level to those 
individuals, other than employees of the TSA who perform or seek to 
perform these functions.
    (c) Individuals who have or are seeking responsibility for 
screening checked baggage or cargo, and their immediate supervisors, 
and the next supervisory level to those individuals, other than 
employees of the TSA who perform or seek to perform these functions.
    (d) Individuals who have or are seeking the authority to accept 
checked baggage for transport on behalf of an aircraft operator that is 
required to screen passengers.
    (e) Pilots, copilots, flight engineers, flight navigators, airline 
personnel authorized to fly in the cockpit, relief or deadheading 
crewmembers, cabin crew, and other flight crew for an aircraft operator 
or foreign air carrier that is required to adopt and carry out a 
security program.
    (f) Flight crews and passengers who request waivers of temporary 
flight restrictions (TFRs) or other restrictions pertaining to 
airspace.
    (g) Other individuals who are connected to the transportation 
industry for whom TSA conducts security threat assessments to ensure 
transportation security.
    (h) Individuals who have or are seeking unescorted access to cargo 
in the transportation system.
    (i) Individuals who are owners, officers, or directors of an 
indirect air carrier or a business seeking to become an indirect air 
carrier.
    (j) Aliens or other individuals designated by TSA who apply for 
flight training or recurrent training.
    (k) Individuals transported on all-cargo aircraft, including 
aircraft operator or foreign air carrier employees and their family 
members and persons transported for the flight.
    (l) Individuals seeking to become, or qualified as, known shippers.
    (m) Known or suspected terrorists identified in the Terrorist 
Screening Database (TSDB) of the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC); 
individuals identified by TSA who are on the Selectee List because they 
pose a viable threat to civil aviation or national security; and 
individuals on classified and unclassified governmental terrorist, law 
enforcement, immigration, or intelligence databases, including 
databases maintained by the Department of Defense, National 
Counterterrorism Center, or Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Categories of records in the system:
    TSA's system may contain any, or all, of the following information 
regarding individuals covered by this system:
    (a) Full name (including aliases or variations of spelling).
    (b) Gender.
    (c) Current and historical contact information (including, but not 
limited to, address information, telephone number, and e-mail).
    (d) Government-issued licensing or identification information 
(including, but not limited to, social security number; pilot 
certificate information, including number and country of issuance; 
current and past citizenship information; immigration status; alien 
registration numbers; visa information; and other licensing information 
for modes of transportation).
    (e) Date and place of birth.
    (f) Name and information, including contact information and 
identifying number (if any) of the airport, aircraft operator, indirect 
air carrier, maritime or land transportation operator, or other 
employer or entity that is employing the individual, or submitting the 
individual's information, or sponsoring the individual's background 
check/threat assessment.
    (g) Physical description, fingerprint and/or other biometric 
identifier, and photograph.
    (h) Date, place, and type of flight training or other instruction.
    (i) Control number or other unique identification number assigned 
to an individual or credential.
    (j) Information necessary to assist in tracking submissions, 
payments, and transmission of records.
    (k) Results of any analysis performed for security threat 
assessments and adjudications.
    (l) Other data as required by Form FD 258 (fingerprint card) or 
other standard fingerprint cards used by the Federal Government.
    (m) Information provided by individuals covered by this system in 
support of their application for an appeal or waiver.
    (n) Flight information, including crew status on board.
    (o) Travel document information (including, but not limited to, 
passport information, including number and country of issuance; and 
current and past citizenship information and immigration status, any 
alien registration numbers, and any visa information).
    (p) Criminal history records.
    (q) Data gathered from foreign governments or entities that is 
necessary to address security concerns in the aviation, maritime, or 
land transportation systems.
    (r) Other information provided by Federal, State, and local 
government agencies or private entities.
    (s) The individual's level of access at an airport.
    (t) The individual's military service history.
    (u) Suitability testing and results of such testing.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    49 U.S.C. 114, 5103a, 40103(b)(3), 40113(a), 44903(b), 44936, 
44939, 46105.

Purpose(s):
    (a) Performance of security threat assessments, employment 
investigations, and evaluations performed for security purposes that 
Federal statutes and/or TSA regulations authorize for the individuals 
identified in ``Categories of individuals covered by the system,'' 
above.
    (b) To assist in the management and tracking of the status of 
security threat assessments, employment investigations, and evaluations 
performed for security purposes.
    (c) To permit the retrieval of the results of security threat 
assessments, employment investigations, and evaluations performed for 
security purposes; including criminal history records checks and 
searches in other governmental, commercial, and private data systems, 
performed on the individuals covered by this system.
    (d) To permit the retrieval of information from other terrorist-
related, law enforcement and Intelligence databases on the individuals 
covered by this system.
    (e) To track the fees incurred, and payment of those fees, by the 
airport operators, aircraft operators, maritime and land transportation 
operators, flight students, and others, where appropriate, for services 
related to security threat assessments, employment investigations, and 
evaluations performed for security purposes.
    (f) To facilitate the performance of security threat assessments 
and other investigations that TSA may conduct to ensure transportation 
security.

[[Page 67734]]

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and the purposes of such uses:
    (1) To the United States Department of Transportation, its 
operating administrations, or the appropriate State or local agency, 
when relevant or necessary to--
    (a) Ensure safety and security in any mode of transportation;
    (b) Enforce safety- and security-related regulations and 
requirements;
    (c) Assess and distribute intelligence or law enforcement 
information related to transportation security;
    (d) Assess and respond to threats to transportation;
    (e) Oversee the implementation and ensure the adequacy of security 
measures at airports and other transportation facilities;
    (f) Plan and coordinate any actions or activities that may affect 
transportation safety and security or the operations of transportation 
operators; or
    (g) The issuance, maintenance, or renewal of a license, 
endorsement, certificate, contract, grant, or other benefit.
    (2) To the appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, 
foreign, or international agency responsible for investigating, 
prosecuting, enforcing, or implementing a statute, rule, regulation, or 
order, where TSA becomes aware of an indication of a violation or 
potential violation of civil or criminal law or regulation.
    (3) To the appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, 
foreign, or international agency regarding individuals who pose, or are 
suspected of posing, a risk to transportation or national security.
    (4) To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants, volunteers, or 
other like persons, when necessary to perform a function or service 
related to this system of records for which they have been engaged. 
Such recipients are required to comply with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 
552a, as amended.
    (5) To a Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, foreign, or 
international agency, where such agency has requested information 
relevant or necessary for the hiring or retention of an individual; or 
the issuance of a security clearance, license, endorsement, contract, 
grant, waiver, credential, or other benefit.
    (6) To a Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, foreign, or 
international agency, if necessary to obtain information relevant to a 
TSA decision concerning the hiring or retention of an employee; the 
issuance of a security clearance, license, endorsement, contract, 
grant, waiver, credential, or other benefit.
    (7) To international and foreign governmental authorities, in 
accordance with law and formal or informal international agreement.
    (8) To third parties during the course of a security threat 
assessment, employment investigation, or adjudication of a waiver or 
appeal request, to the extent necessary to obtain information pertinent 
to the assessment, investigation, or adjudication.
    (9) To airport operators, indirect air carriers, aircraft 
operators, flight school operators, and maritime and land 
transportation operators or contractors about individuals; when 
relevant to the individual's employment, application, contract, 
issuance of credentials or clearances, acceptance for flight training, 
or access to transportation infrastructure or assets.
    (10) To a Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, foreign, or 
international agency so that TSA may obtain information to conduct 
security threat assessments or employment investigations and to 
facilitate any associated payment and accounting.
    (11) To the Department of Justice (DOJ) or other Federal agency in 
the review, settlement, defense, and prosecution of claims, complaints, 
and lawsuits involving matters over which TSA exercises jurisdiction; 
or when conducting litigation, or in proceedings, before any court, 
adjudicative or administrative body, when: (a) TSA; or (b) any employee 
of TSA in his/her official capacity; or (c) any employee of TSA in his/
her individual capacity, where DOJ or TSA has agreed to represent the 
employee; or (d) the United States or any agency thereof, is a party to 
the litigation, or has an interest in such litigation, and TSA 
determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the 
litigation and the use of such records is compatible with the purpose 
for which TSA collected the records.
    (12) To a congressional office from the record of an individual, in 
response to an inquiry from that congressional office made at the 
request of the individual.
    (13) To the National Archives and Records Administration, or other 
appropriate Federal agency, pursuant to records management inspections 
being conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.

Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
    None.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    In electronic storage media and hard copy.

Retrievability:
    Information can be retrieved by name, social security number, 
identifying number of the submitting or sponsoring entity, other case 
number assigned by TSA or other entity/agency, biometric, or a unique 
identification number, or any other identifying particular assigned or 
belonging to the individual.

Safeguards:
    All records are protected from unauthorized access through 
appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. These 
safeguards include some or all of the following: restricting access to 
those authorized with a need-to-know; using locks, alarm devices, and 
passwords; compartmentalizing databases; auditing software; and 
encrypting data communications.

Retention and disposal:
    National Archives and Records Administration approval is pending 
for the records in this system.

System manager(s) and address:
    Assistant Director for Compliance, Transportation Threat Assessment 
& Credentialing Office, TSA-19, Transportation Security Administration, 
601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220.

Notification procedure:
    To determine whether this system contains records relating to you, 
write to the System Manager identified above.

Record access procedure:
    Same as ``Notification Procedure,'' above. Provide your full name 
and a description of information that you seek, including the time 
frame during which the record(s) may have been generated. Individuals 
requesting access must comply with the Department of Homeland Security 
Privacy Act regulations on verification of identity (6 CFR 5.21(d)).

Contesting record procedure:
    Same as ``Notification Procedure'' and ``Record Access Procedure,'' 
above.

Record source categories:
    Information is collected from individuals subject to a security 
threat assessment, employment investigation, or other security 
analysis; from aviation, maritime, and land transportation

[[Page 67735]]

operators, flight schools, or other persons sponsoring the individual; 
and any other persons, including commercial entities that may have 
information that is relevant or necessary to the assessment or 
investigation. Information about individuals is also used or collected 
from domestic and international intelligence sources and other 
governmental, private, and public databases. The sources of information 
in the criminal history records obtained from the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI) are set forth in the Privacy Act system of records 
notice ``JUSTICE/FBI-009.''

Exemptions claimed for the system:
    Portions of this system are exempt under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1), 
(k)(2), and (k)(6). In addition, to the extent a record contains 
information from other exempt systems of records, TSA will rely on the 
exemptions claimed for those systems.
DHS/TSA 015

System name:
    Registered Traveler (RT) Operations Files.

Security classification:
    Classified, sensitive.

System location:
    Records will be maintained at TSA Headquarters in Arlington, 
Virginia; at other authorized TSA or DHS secure facilities, as 
necessary; and at a digital safe site managed by a Government 
contractor.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    (a) Individuals who voluntarily apply to participate in the RT 
Pilot Program, who agree to provide personal information to TSA that 
may be used as part of a security assessment, and who may or may not 
meet the eligibility criteria as determined by TSA;
    (b) Authorized Federal law enforcement officers (LEOs);
    (c) Individuals who participate in the Federal Flight Deck Officer 
(FFDO) program; and
    (d) Known or suspected terrorists identified in the Terrorist 
Screening Database (TSDB) of the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC); 
individuals identified by TSA who are on the Selectee List because they 
pose a viable threat to civil aviation or national security; and 
individuals on classified and unclassified governmental terrorist, law 
enforcement, immigration, or intelligence databases, including 
databases maintained by the Department of Defense, National 
Counterterrorism Center, or Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Categories of records in the system:
    Information in the system includes some, or all, of the following:
    (a) Full name.
    (b) Current home address.
    (c) Current home phone number.
    (d) Current cell phone number (if applicable).
    (e) Social security number.
    (f) Date of birth.
    (g) Place of birth.
    (h) Nationality.
    (i) Gender.
    (j) Prior home addresses.
    (k) Arrival date in United States (non-U.S. citizens only).
    (l) Digital photo.
    (m) Reference biometric (i.e. fingerprint(s), iris scan, facial 
geometry, hand geometry, handwriting/signature, others).
    (n) Unique identification record number.
    (o) Unique token or credential serial number.
    (p) Security assessments.
    (q) Information pertaining to adjudication results.
    (r) RT eligibility status.
    (s) Token or credential issue date.
    (t) Token or credential expiration date.
    (u) Information and data provided by Federal, State, and local 
government agencies and foreign governments that is necessary to 
conduct a security assessment to determine if an individual poses a 
potential threat to aviation security.
    (v) Authorized Federal LEOs may have a Federal LEO code name and 
unique administrative code number.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    49 U.S.C. 114; Sec. 109(a)(3), Aviation and Transportation Security 
Act (ATSA), Pub. L. 107-71.

Purpose(s):
    The system utilized during the RT Pilot Program will facilitate the 
development, testing, and administration of the RT concept, including 
conducting security assessments on program applicants; additional 
security assessments may or may not be conducted on authorized LEOs, 
FFDOs, and other authorized government officials. The purpose of the RT 
pilot program is to--
    (1) Pre-screen and positively identify volunteer travelers using 
advanced identification technologies, including biometrics, which may 
expedite the pre-boarding process for the traveler and improve the 
allocation of TSA's security resources on individuals who may pose a 
security threat;
    (2) Prevent potential threats from individuals who are 
impersonating Federal LEOs and seek to board commercial aircraft while 
armed;
    (3) Assist in the management and tracking of the status of security 
assessments for applicants and those deemed eligible for the Registered 
Traveler Pilot Program;
    (4) Permit the retrieval of the results of security assessments, 
including criminal history records checks and searches in other 
governmental identification systems, performed on the individuals 
covered by this system;
    (5) Permit the retrieval of information from other law enforcement 
and intelligence databases on individuals covered by this system; and
    (6) Identify potential threats to transportation security, uphold 
and enforce the law, and ensure public safety.

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and the purposes of such uses:
    (1) To the United States Department of Transportation, its 
operating administrations, or the appropriate State or local agency, 
when relevant or necessary to--
    (a) Ensure safety and security in any mode of transportation;
    (b) Enforce safety and security related regulations and 
requirements;
    (c) Assess and distribute intelligence or law enforcement 
information related to transportation security;
    (d) Assess and respond to threats to transportation;
    (e) Oversee the implementation and ensure the adequacy of security 
measures at airports and other transportation facilities;
    (f) Plan and coordinate any actions or activities that may affect 
transportation safety and security or the operations of transportation 
operators; or
    (g) The issuance, maintenance, or renewal of a license, 
certificate, contract, grant, or other benefit.
    (2) To the appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, 
foreign, or international agency responsible for investigating, 
prosecuting, enforcing, or implementing a statute, rule, regulation, or 
order, where TSA becomes aware of an indication of a violation or 
potential violation of civil or criminal law or regulation.
    (3) To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants, or volunteers, 
when necessary to perform a function or service related to this system 
of records for which they have been engaged. Such recipients are 
required to comply with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended.
    (4) To airports and aircraft operators, to the extent necessary to 
identify

[[Page 67736]]

Registered Travelers and ensure the proper ticketing, security 
screening, and boarding of those passengers.
    (5) To a Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, foreign, or 
international agency, in response to queries regarding persons who may 
pose a risk to transportation or national security; a risk of air 
piracy or terrorism or a threat to airline or passenger safety; or a 
threat to aviation safety, civil aviation, or national security.
    (6) To the Department of State and other Intelligence Community 
agencies, to further the mission of those agencies relating to persons 
who may pose a risk to transportation or national security; a risk of 
air piracy or terrorism or a threat to airline or passenger safety; a 
threat to aviation safety, civil aviation, or national security.
    (7) To international and foreign governmental authorities, in 
accordance with law and formal or informal international agreement.
    (8) To authorized law enforcement and other Government agencies, as 
necessary, to conduct the security assessments and, if applicable, to 
facilitate payment and accounting.
    (9) To the Department of Justice (DOJ) in review, settlement, 
defense, and prosecution of claims, complaints, and lawsuits involving 
matters over which TSA exercises jurisdiction.
    (10) To the DOJ or other Federal agency conducting litigation or in 
proceedings before any court, adjudicative or administrative body, 
when: (a) TSA, or (b) any employee of TSA in his/her official capacity, 
or (c) any employee of TSA in his/her individual capacity where DOJ or 
TSA has agreed to represent the employee, or (d) the United States or 
any agency thereof, is a party to the litigation or has an interest in 
such litigation, and TSA determines that the records are both relevant 
and necessary to the litigation and the use of such records is 
compatible with the purpose for which TSA collected the records.
    (11) To a congressional office from the record of an individual in 
response to an inquiry from that congressional office made at the 
request of the individual.
    (12) To the General Services Administration and the National 
Archives and Records Administration in records management inspections 
being conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
    (13) To the Attorney General of the United States or his/her 
official designee, when information indicates that an individual meets 
any of the disqualifications for receipt, possession, shipment, or 
transport of a firearm under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. 
In case of a dispute concerning the validity of the information 
provided by TSA to the Attorney General, or his/her designee, it shall 
be a routine use of the information in this system of records to 
furnish records or information to the national Background Information 
Check System, established by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, 
as may be necessary to resolve such dispute.

Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
    None.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    Records may be stored on magnetic disc, tape, digital media, CD-
ROM, bar code, magnetic stripe, optical memory stripe, disk, integrated 
circuit chip, and/or other approved technologies and may also be 
retained in hard copy format in secure file folders.

Retrievability:
    Records may be retrieved by the applicant's name, unique 
identification record number, or other unique administrative 
identifier; paper records, where applicable, are retrieved 
alphabetically by name or other unique administrative identifier.

Safeguards:
    Information in this system is safeguarded in accordance with 
applicable rules and policies, including any applicable TSA and DHS 
automated systems security and access policies. The computer system 
from which records could be accessed is policy and security based, 
meaning access is limited to those individuals who require it to 
perform their official duties. The system also maintains a real-time 
auditing function of individuals who access the system. Classified 
information is appropriately stored in a secured facility, secured 
databases, and containers and in accordance with other applicable 
requirements, including those pertaining to classified information.

Retention and disposal:
    Records in this system will be retained and disposed of in 
accordance with the National Archives and Records Administration's 
General Records Schedule 20.

System manager and address:
    Registered Traveler Program Manager, Transportation Threat 
Assessment & Credentialing, TSA-19, Transportation Security 
Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220.

Notification procedure:
    To determine if this system contains a record relating to you, 
write to the system manager at the address indicated above and provide 
your full name, current address, date of birth, place of birth, and a 
description of information that you seek, including the time frame 
during which the record(s) may have been generated. You may also 
provide your Social Security Number or other unique identifier(s), but 
you are not required to do so. Individuals requesting access must 
comply with the Department of Homeland Security's Privacy Act 
regulations on verification of identity (6 CFR 5.21(d)).

Record access procedure:
    Same as ``notification procedure,'' above.

Contesting record procedure:
    Same as ``notification procedure,'' above.

Record source categories:
    Information contained in this system may be obtained from the RT 
applicant, law enforcement and intelligence agency record systems, 
government and commercial databases, military and National Guard 
records, and other Department of Homeland Security systems.

Exemptions claimed for the system:
    Portions of this system are exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), 
(e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), and (f) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
552a(k)(1) and (k)(2). In addition, to the extent a record contains 
information from other exempt systems of records, TSA will rely on the 
exemptions claimed for those systems.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on October 26, 2005.
Lisa S. Dean,
Privacy Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-22124 Filed 11-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P