60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Request for Approval of Special Validation for Travel to a Restricted Country or Area, 31791-31792 [2024-08909]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 81 / Thursday, April 25, 2024 / Notices
SYSTEM(S) OF RECORDS:
SSA will disclose records from the
‘‘Supplemental Security Income Record
and Special Veterans Benefits’’ system
of records, 60–0103, last fully published
at 71 FR 1830 (January 11, 2006), and
updated at 72 FR 69723 (December 10,
2007), 83 FR 31250–31251 (July 3,
2018), 83 FR. 54969 (November 1, 2018),
and 89 FR 825 (January 5, 2024). DoD/
DMDC will disclose records from the
following system of records: DMDC 01,
entitled ‘‘Defense Manpower Data
Center Data Base,’’ last published in full
at 84 FR 6383 (February 27, 2019), and
amended at 84 FR 8698 (March 11,
2019), 84 FR 15605 (April 16, 2019), and
87 FR 32145 (May 27, 2022).
[FR Doc. 2024–08794 Filed 4–24–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 12359]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Request for Approval of
Special Validation for Travel to a
Restricted Country or Area
Notice of request for public
comment.
ACTION:
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 June
24, 2024.
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–2024–0006’’ in
the Search field. Then click the
‘‘Comment Now’’ button and complete
the comment form.
• Email: PPTSpecialValidations@
state.gov.
• Regular Mail: Send written
comments to: Special Validations, U.S.
Department of State, CA/PPT/S/A/AP,
44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1227,
Sterling, VA 20166–1227.
You must include the DS form
number (if applicable), information
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:54 Apr 24, 2024
Jkt 262001
collection title, and the OMB control
number in any correspondence.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
• Title of Information Collection:
Request for Approval for Multiple-Entry
Travel to a Restricted Country or Area.
• OMB Control Number: 1405–0228.
• Type of Request: Revision of a
Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of
Consular Affairs, Passport Services, CA/
PPT/S/A/AP.
• Form Number: No form.
• Respondents: Individuals
requesting they be granted single or
multiple-entry special validation, in
accordance with 22 CFR 51.64, to use a
U.S. passport to travel to, in, or through
a country or area as to which U.S.
passports have been declared invalid for
such travel pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 211a
and Executive Order 11295 (August 5,
1966) and in accordance with 22 CFR
51.63(a).
• Estimated Number of Respondents:
150.
• Estimated Number of Responses:
150.
• Average Time per Response for
single entry validation request: 45
minutes.
• Average Time per Response for
multiple-entry validation request: 90
minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 150
hours.
• Frequency: Once per year when the
individual wishes to travel to the
restricted country or area, with a singleentry validation. Once every two years
for individuals with a multiple-entry
validation.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to
Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
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.
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
31791
Abstract of Proposed Collection
The Secretary of State may exercise
authority, under 22 U.S.C. 211a,
Executive Order 11295 (August 5, 1966),
and 22 CFR 51.63, to invalidate all U.S.
passports for travel to a country or area
if he determines that any of three
conditions exist: The country is at war
with the United States; armed hostilities
are in progress in the country or area;
or there is imminent danger to the
public health or physical safety of U.S.
travelers in the country or area. The
regulations of the Department of State
provide that an individual’s passport
may be considered for validation for
travel to, in, or through a country or area
despite such restriction if the
individual’s travel is determined to fall
within one of several categories
established by the regulation 22 CFR
51.64. Without the requisite validation,
use of a U.S. passport for travel to, in,
or through a restricted country or area
may justify revocation of the passport
for misuse under 22 CFR 51.62(a)(3) and
subject the traveler to felony
prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1544 for
misuse of a passport or other applicable
laws.
The categories of persons specified in
22 CFR 51.64(b) as being eligible for
consideration for passport validation are
as follows:
(a) An applicant who is a professional
reporter and journalist whose trip is for
the purpose of collecting and making
available to the public information
about the restricted country or area;
(b) An applicant who is a
representative of the American Red
Cross or the International Committee of
the Red Cross on an officially sponsored
Red Cross mission;
(c) An applicant whose trip to the
restricted country or area is justified by
compelling humanitarian
considerations; or
(d) An applicant whose trip to the
restricted country or area is otherwise in
the national interest.
The proposed information collection
solicits data necessary for the Passport
Services Directorate to determine
whether an applicant is eligible to
receive a special validation in their U.S.
passport book permitting the applicant
to make single or multiple round-trips
to a restricted country or area, subject to
additional requirements. The
information requested consists of the
applicant’s name; a copy of the front
and back of the applicant’s valid
government-issued photo identification
card with the applicant’s date of birth
and signature; current contact
information, including telephone
number, email and mailing address; a
E:\FR\FM\25APN1.SGM
25APN1
31792
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 81 / Thursday, April 25, 2024 / Notices
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
statement explaining the reason that the
applicant thinks their trip is in the
national interest, including proposed
travel dates and the applicant’s role and
responsibilities on the trip; and
supporting documentary evidence. For
those seeking a multiple-entry special
validation, applicants must also identify
they are seeking the multiple-entry type
of special validation and submit the
following: documentation showing the
applicant or their organization has a
well-established history of traveling to
the DPRK to work on well-monitored
projects with compelling humanitarian
considerations; the applicant’s draft
itinerary, including dates of travel and
what specific work they intend to
perform on each trip; and
documentation that shows the
applicant’s humanitarian work requires
that they make multiple trips to the
DPRK in the next two-year period.
Those who are approved for a multipleentry special validation must also
submit a final itinerary detailing dates
and purpose of travel at least one month
(30 days) prior to each trip to the DPRK
while using their multi-entry special
validation U.S. passport. Failure to
provide the requested information may
result in denial of a special validation
to use a U.S. passport to travel to, in, or
through a restricted country or area.
Effective September 1, 2017, upon
determining that there is imminent
danger to the public health or physical
safety of U.S. travelers in the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
(DPRK), the former Secretary of State
imposed a passport restriction with
respect to travel to the DPRK. Such
restriction was further renewed in 2018,
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and most
recently in 2023 for one year, effective
September 1, 2023. The estimated
number of recipients represents the
Department of State’s estimate of the
annual number of special validations
requests individuals will submit who
wish to use their U.S. passport to travel
to the DPRK, based on the current
number of requests following the
implementation of the Secretary of
State’s passport restriction. At this time,
there are no other countries or areas that
are the subject of passport restrictions
pursuant to 22 CFR 51.63.
Methodology
Instructions for individuals seeking to
apply for a special validation to use a
U.S. passport to travel to, in, or through
a restricted country or area is posted on
a web page maintained by the
Department (travel.state.gov). The web
page directs applicants to submit the
requested information via email to the
Passport Services Directorate
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:54 Apr 24, 2024
Jkt 262001
(PPTSpecialValidations@state.gov) or by
mail to Special Validations, U.S.
Department of State, CA/PPT/S/A/AP,
44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1227,
Sterling, VA 20166–1227.
Information collected in this manner
will be used to facilitate the granting of
special validations to U.S. nationals
who are eligible. The primary purpose
of soliciting the information is to
establish whether an applicant is within
one of the categories specified in the
regulations of the Department of State
codified at 22 CFR 51.64(b) and
therefore eligible to be issued a U.S.
passport containing a special validation
enabling him or her to make one or
multiple entry round-trips to a restricted
country or area, and to facilitate the
application for a passport of such
applicants.
Donald E. Jacobson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024–08909 Filed 4–24–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. FD 36745]
Massachusetts Coastal Railroad,
LLC—Modified Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity
Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, LLC
(Mass Coastal), a Class III rail carrier,
has filed a notice for a modified
certificate of public convenience and
necessity 1 under 49 CFR part 1150
subpart C—Modified Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity, for
Mass Coastal to operate the Plymouth
line between milepost 1.7 at South
Braintree, Mass., and milepost 27.1 at
Plymouth, Mass. (the Line).
Mass Coastal states the Line was
acquired from Penn Central
Transportation Company by
Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority (MBTA) subject to an
operating easement in Consolidated Rail
Corporation (Conrail). (Am. Notice 5.)
Conrail applied to abandon the Line
under Section 308(b) of the Regional
Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45
U.S.C. 748) in Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC) Docket No. AB 167
(Sub-No. 388), and an operating subsidy
was offered by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts under agreement filed
with the ICC on February 24, 1982. (Am.
Notice 5.) According to Mass Coastal,
the subsidy ended on May 26, 1982.
1 Mass Coastal filed a notice on December 15,
2023, and filed an amended notice on March 29,
2023.
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(Id.) Bay Colony subsequently filed a
notice for a modified certificate of
public convenience and necessity, and
the ICC found the Line qualified for
operation under a modified rail
certificate. (Id.); see Bay Colony R.R.—
Modified Rail Certificate, FD 29963 (ICC
served June 29, 1982). According to
Mass Coastal, although Bay Colony’s
operating agreement with MBTA
expired, MBTA agreed in a 1993 letter
that Bay Colony would have the first
right to negotiate to operate the Line for
freight service. (Am. Notice 3–4.) Mass
Coastal explains that it has entered into
an agreement with Bay Colony to
acquire all of Bay Colony’s remaining
operating rights and rail assets,
including its first right to negotiate to
operate the Line for freight service.2
(See Am. Notice 3.) Mass Coastal states
that MBTA has consented ‘‘to the extent
required.’’ (Am. Notice 3; see also id.,
Ex. A (Notice to and Consent of
MBTA).) Mass Coastal states that it has
received an inquiry from a potential
freight shipper and has begun
discussions with MBTA regarding an
operating agreement. (Am. Notice 4.)
The Line qualifies for a modified
certificate of public convenience and
necessity. See Common Carrier Status of
States, State Agencies &
Instrumentalities & Pol. Subdivs., FD
28990F (ICC served July 16, 1981); 49
CFR 1150.22. Mass Coastal states that no
subsidy is involved and that there will
be no preconditions that shippers must
meet to receive service. (Am. Notice 6.)
Mass Coastal’s notice also includes a
certificate of liability insurance
coverage. (Am. Notice, Ex. B).
This notice will be served on the
Association of American Railroads (Car
Service Division), as agent for all
railroads subscribing to the car-service
and car-hire agreement, at 425 Third
Street SW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC
20024; and on the American Short Line
and Regional Railroad Association at 50
F Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC
20001.
Board decisions and notices are
available at www.stb.gov.
Decided: April 22, 2024.
2 On March 29, 2024, Bay Colony filed, in Docket
No. FD 29963, a notice of intent to terminate service
on the Line, which will become effective on May
28, 2024. See 49 CFR 1150.24. Because Mass
Coastal now has authority to commence operations
at any time, see 49 CFR 1150.23(a) (‘‘Operations
may commence immediately on the filing’’ of the
modified certificate), there will be no break in the
availability of the Line for freight service.
E:\FR\FM\25APN1.SGM
25APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31791-31792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08909]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 12359]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Request for
Approval of Special Validation for Travel to a Restricted Country or
Area
ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 June
24, 2024.
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-2024-0006'' in the Search
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment
form.
Email: [email protected].
Regular Mail: Send written comments to: Special
Validations, U.S. Department of State, CA/PPT/S/A/AP, 44132 Mercure
Circle, P.O. Box 1227, Sterling, VA 20166-1227.
You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Information Collection: Request for Approval for
Multiple-Entry Travel to a Restricted Country or Area.
OMB Control Number: 1405-0228.
Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved
Collection.
Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport
Services, CA/PPT/S/A/AP.
Form Number: No form.
Respondents: Individuals requesting they be granted single
or multiple-entry special validation, in accordance with 22 CFR 51.64,
to use a U.S. passport to travel to, in, or through a country or area
as to which U.S. passports have been declared invalid for such travel
pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 211a and Executive Order 11295 (August 5, 1966)
and in accordance with 22 CFR 51.63(a).
Estimated Number of Respondents: 150.
Estimated Number of Responses: 150.
Average Time per Response for single entry validation
request: 45 minutes.
Average Time per Response for multiple-entry validation
request: 90 minutes.
Total Estimated Burden Time: 150 hours.
Frequency: Once per year when the individual wishes to
travel to the restricted country or area, with a single-entry
validation. Once every two years for individuals with a multiple-entry
validation.
Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a
Benefit.
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 may exercise authority, under 22 U.S.C.
211a, Executive Order 11295 (August 5, 1966), and 22 CFR 51.63, to
invalidate all U.S. passports for travel to a country or area if he
determines that any of three conditions exist: The country is at war
with the United States; armed hostilities are in progress in the
country or area; or there is imminent danger to the public health or
physical safety of U.S. travelers in the country or area. The
regulations of the Department of State provide that an individual's
passport may be considered for validation for travel to, in, or through
a country or area despite such restriction if the individual's travel
is determined to fall within one of several categories established by
the regulation 22 CFR 51.64. Without the requisite validation, use of a
U.S. passport for travel to, in, or through a restricted country or
area may justify revocation of the passport for misuse under 22 CFR
51.62(a)(3) and subject the traveler to felony prosecution under 18
U.S.C. 1544 for misuse of a passport or other applicable laws.
The categories of persons specified in 22 CFR 51.64(b) as being
eligible for consideration for passport validation are as follows:
(a) An applicant who is a professional reporter and journalist
whose trip is for the purpose of collecting and making available to the
public information about the restricted country or area;
(b) An applicant who is a representative of the American Red Cross
or the International Committee of the Red Cross on an officially
sponsored Red Cross mission;
(c) An applicant whose trip to the restricted country or area is
justified by compelling humanitarian considerations; or
(d) An applicant whose trip to the restricted country or area is
otherwise in the national interest.
The proposed information collection solicits data necessary for the
Passport Services Directorate to determine whether an applicant is
eligible to receive a special validation in their U.S. passport book
permitting the applicant to make single or multiple round-trips to a
restricted country or area, subject to additional requirements. The
information requested consists of the applicant's name; a copy of the
front and back of the applicant's valid government-issued photo
identification card with the applicant's date of birth and signature;
current contact information, including telephone number, email and
mailing address; a
[[Page 31792]]
statement explaining the reason that the applicant thinks their trip is
in the national interest, including proposed travel dates and the
applicant's role and responsibilities on the trip; and supporting
documentary evidence. For those seeking a multiple-entry special
validation, applicants must also identify they are seeking the
multiple-entry type of special validation and submit the following:
documentation showing the applicant or their organization has a well-
established history of traveling to the DPRK to work on well-monitored
projects with compelling humanitarian considerations; the applicant's
draft itinerary, including dates of travel and what specific work they
intend to perform on each trip; and documentation that shows the
applicant's humanitarian work requires that they make multiple trips to
the DPRK in the next two-year period. Those who are approved for a
multiple-entry special validation must also submit a final itinerary
detailing dates and purpose of travel at least one month (30 days)
prior to each trip to the DPRK while using their multi-entry special
validation U.S. passport. Failure to provide the requested information
may result in denial of a special validation to use a U.S. passport to
travel to, in, or through a restricted country or area.
Effective September 1, 2017, upon determining that there is
imminent danger to the public health or physical safety of U.S.
travelers in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the
former Secretary of State imposed a passport restriction with respect
to travel to the DPRK. Such restriction was further renewed in 2018,
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and most recently in 2023 for one year,
effective September 1, 2023. The estimated number of recipients
represents the Department of State's estimate of the annual number of
special validations requests individuals will submit who wish to use
their U.S. passport to travel to the DPRK, based on the current number
of requests following the implementation of the Secretary of State's
passport restriction. At this time, there are no other countries or
areas that are the subject of passport restrictions pursuant to 22 CFR
51.63.
Methodology
Instructions for individuals seeking to apply for a special
validation to use a U.S. passport to travel to, in, or through a
restricted country or area is posted on a web page maintained by the
Department (travel.state.gov). The web page directs applicants to
submit the requested information via email to the Passport Services
Directorate ([email protected]) or by mail to Special
Validations, U.S. Department of State, CA/PPT/S/A/AP, 44132 Mercure
Circle, P.O. Box 1227, Sterling, VA 20166-1227.
Information collected in this manner will be used to facilitate the
granting of special validations to U.S. nationals who are eligible. The
primary purpose of soliciting the information is to establish whether
an applicant is within one of the categories specified in the
regulations of the Department of State codified at 22 CFR 51.64(b) and
therefore eligible to be issued a U.S. passport containing a special
validation enabling him or her to make one or multiple entry round-
trips to a restricted country or area, and to facilitate the
application for a passport of such applicants.
Donald E. Jacobson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs,
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024-08909 Filed 4-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P
