TSA Publishes 60-day ICR Notice for TWIC Registration
Today the Transportation Security Administration published a 60-day information collection request (ICR) extension notice in the Federal Register (89 FR 100518-100519) for the “Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) Program”. The notice Summary reports that “The collection involves the submission of biographic and biometric information that TSA uses to verify identity and conduct a security threat assessment (STA) for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program, and a customer satisfaction survey.”
The table below compares the data provided in today’s notice and the currently approved ICR information.
Background
The notice provides a brief description of the statutory requirements, the purpose of the TWIC and the processes involved in applying for, renewing and replacing the credential, all actions covered by this ICR. It notes that:
“TWIC is a common credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of facilities and vessels regulated pursuant to requirements in the Maritime Transportation Security Act and certain mariners holding USCG credentials. Individuals in the field of transportation who are required to undergo an STA in certain other programs, such as the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, may also apply for a TWIC and the associated STA to satisfy CFATS program requirements.”
Burden Estimate
The only burden estimate data provided in the notice is found in the last sentence:
“TSA estimates that there will be approximately 619,807 respondents to this TWIC information collection. The current estimated annualized hour burden is 573,168 hours.”
Looking at the supporting document for the current ICR we can get a better look at the various components that go into that burden estimate. That estimate was based on data collected prior to 2021; similarly, we would expect the current estimate to be based upon data the TSA collected since 2021.
The supporting document breaks down the ICR into seven related components:
New enrollments,
Comparable enrollments (other programs such as HME and trusted traveler programs),
Renewals,
Replacements,
Customer Satisfaction Survey (two separate surveys), and
Appeals
The table below shows the number of responses and the estimated burden for each component:
Unfortunately, the TSA does not provide these details about their burden estimate until after they publish the 30-day ICR notice when they submit the ICR packet to the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. This makes it impossible to provide the comments on the burden estimate that the TSA is requesting in this notice.
Solicitation of Comments
TSA is soliciting public comments on this ICR notice. Comments may be emailed to TSAPRA@tsa.dhs.gov. Comments should be submitted by February 10th, 2024.