Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Security Threat Assessment for Individuals Applying for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Drivers License, 73865 [07-6231]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• Transportation Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 73865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-6231]



[[Page 73865]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

[Docket No. TSA-2003-14610]


Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Security Threat Assessment for Individuals 
Applying for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Drivers 
License

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved information collection 
requirement, under OMB control number 1652-0027, abstracted below that 
we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal 
in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection involves 
applicant submission of biometric and biographic information for TSA's 
security threat assessment in order to obtain the hazardous materials 
endodrsement (HME) on a commercial drivers license (CDL) issued by the 
U.S. States and the District of Columbia.

DATES: Send your comments by February 26, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Joanna Johnson, 
Communications Branch, Business Management Office, Operational Process 
and Technology, TSA-32, Transportation Security Administration, 601 
South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Johnson at the above address, 
or by telephone (571) 227-3651 or facsimile (703) 603-0822.

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 information collection request 
(ICR) documentation is available at www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in 
preparation for OMB review and approval of the following information 
collection, TSA is inviting 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
    (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

    TSA is requesting renewal of the currently approved ICR with minor 
changes. This collection supports the implementation of section 1012 of 
the USA PATRIOT Act (Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272, 396, Oct. 26, 
2001), which mandates that no State or the District of Columbia may 
issue a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on a commercial driver's 
license (CDL) unless TSA has first determined the driver is not a 
threat to transportation security. On November 24, 2004, TSA published 
the final rule in the Federal Register (69 FR 68720), codified at 49 
CFR part 1572, that describes the procedures, standards, and 
eligibility criteria for security threat assessments on individuals 
seeking to obtain, renew, or transfer HME on a CDL. TSA subsequently 
amended the rule on January 25, 2007 (72 FR 3492). 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, military status, and criminal 
history; as well as fingerprints. TSA is amending the application to 
collect minor additional information, such as whether the driver is a 
new applicant or renewing or transferring the HME, to better understand 
and forecast driver retention, transfer rate, and drop-rate to help 
improve customer service, reduce program costs, and provide 
comparability with other Federal background checks, including 
Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC). In addition, 
the rule (49 CFR 1572) requires States to maintain a copy of the driver 
application for a period of one year.
    From 2008 through 2010, TSA estimates respondent drivers will spend 
approximately 3.4 million hours on the application and background check 
process. TSA estimates an annualized 348,000 respondents will apply for 
an HME, and that the application and background check process will 
involve 1.1 million annualized hours. TSA estimates the total costs to 
respondent drivers will be $92.8 million over the three-year period 
($31 million annualized).

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on December 20, 2007.
Fran Lozito,
Director, Business Management Office, Operational Process and 
Technology.
[FR Doc. 07-6231 Filed 12-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-M