Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Extension Without Change, of a Previously Approved Collection; Exhibit B to Registration Statement of Foreign Agents (FORM NSD-4), 6975 [2020-02349]

Agencies

• Department of Justice

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 6975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02349]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[OMB Number 1124-0004]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection 
eComments Requested; Extension Without Change, of a Previously Approved 
Collection; Exhibit B to Registration Statement of Foreign Agents (FORM 
NSD-4)

AGENCY: Foreign Agents Registration Act Unit (FARA Unit), 
Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES), National Security 
Division (NSD), U.S. Department of Justice.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), Foreign Agents Registration 
Act (FARA Unit), Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES), 
National Security Division (NSD), will be submitting the following 
information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published 
to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until 
April 6, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have additional comments, 
especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, 
suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection 
instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact 
Brandon L. Van Grack, Deputy Section Chief, Counterintelligence and 
Export Control Section, National Security Division, 175 N Street NE, 
Constitution Square Building Three (``3CON'')--Room 1.100, Washington, 
DC 20002 (phone: 202-233-0776).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments and suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of 
information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of 
the following four points:

--Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the National Security 
Division, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
--Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
--Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected can be enhanced; and
--Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

    1. Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently 
approved collection.
    2. The Title of the Form/Collection: Exhibit B to Registration 
Statement (Foreign Agents).
    3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of 
the Department sponsoring the collection: The form number is NSD-4. The 
applicable component within the Department of Justice is the Foreign 
Agents Registration Act (FARA Unit), Counterintelligence and Export 
Control Section, in the National Security Division.
    4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Private Sector, Business or other 
for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, and individuals. The form 
contains Exhibit B to Registration Statement information used for 
registering foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 
1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 611 et seq., (FARA).
    5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: Based on the 
projected increases in registrations from 2017 to 2020, an estimated 
296 respondents will complete Form NSD-4 (OMB 1124-0004). Based on 
sample testing, each respondent will need .32 hours to complete the 
form, which takes into consideration the improved e-File 4.0 webform 
features. The following factors were considered when creating the 
burden estimate: The estimated total number of respondents, the 
intuitive online FARA e-File registration process, and the prior 
collection of the necessary data to accurately complete the filing. NSD 
estimates that all of the approximately 296 respondents will fully 
complete the form.
    6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this 
collection is 94.72 annual burden hours. It is estimated that 
respondents will take .32 hours to complete the form. (296 respondents 
x .32 hours = 94.72 annual burden hours).
    7. Beginning September 23, 2019, NSD completed its ongoing multi-
year design review, testing, and requirements enhancement efforts under 
the FARA e-File 4.0 initiative to a level where it began to rollout 
initial capabilities for new registrants only. NSD continues to make 
progress in enhancing the functionality of FARA e-File and Form NSD-4.
     If additional information is required contact: Melody D. Braswell, 
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two 
Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 3E.405A, Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: February 3, 2020.
Melody D. Braswell,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2020-02349 Filed 2-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-PF-P