Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Anti-Drug Program for Personnel Engaged in Specific Aviation Activities
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA wants to hear what people think about checking if people working in planes are following drug safety rules. They're asking for comments because they want to make sure their way of checking is not too tough or confusing.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its plan to renew an information collection related to drug and alcohol testing for aviation personnel. This effort is in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and involves testing as required by federal regulations to ensure compliance by aviation employers. The FAA uses this information for oversight and planning purposes and to determine which employers need to provide annual testing data. Public comments are invited on the necessity, accuracy, and potential burden of the information collection, with submissions due by February 22, 2021.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 19, 2020. The information collected is used to determine program compliance or non-compliance of regulated aviation employers, conduct oversight planning, determine employers required to provide annual Management Information System testing information, and communicate with entities subject to the program regulations.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document, released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), announces the agency's intent to renew an information collection effort related to drug and alcohol testing for personnel involved in specific aviation activities. This initiative is aligned with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to reduce the amount of paperwork and reporting burden on businesses and citizens. Through this notice, the FAA seeks public comments regarding its plan to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of relevant information.
General Overview
The information collection is mandated by federal regulations and is intended to help the FAA assess the compliance of aviation employers with drug and alcohol testing standards. Specifically, the information aids the FAA in oversight planning, determining which employers need to submit annual testing data, and maintaining communication with entities bound by the program's regulations. Public comments are invited on the necessity and accuracy of this collection, as well as suggestions for minimizing the related burden. Interested parties have until February 22, 2021, to submit their feedback.
Issues and Concerns
Several potential issues arise from this document.
Vagueness in Usage Details: The document explains that the collected information will be used for compliance and oversight activities but does not provide detailed insights into how these processes will unfold. Such ambiguity might concern stakeholders who require more transparency into how their data will be used.
Burden Estimate: The document lists a 5-minute average burden estimate per response, but it fails to explain how this figure was derived. Without such context, the accuracy of these estimates could be questioned by both the public and those who will need to comply.
Methodology Clarity: The overview is notably high-level and lacks details on actual data collection methods. Stakeholders may question the clarity and rigor of the methodology if these details are not sufficiently provided.
Lack of Forms: Although the notice states there are no associated FAA forms, it does not describe any alternative mechanisms for data collection. This might lead to confusion or uncertainty for those who need to comply.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document's outcomes will likely affect a range of parties engaged in aviation that are required to comply with federal drug and alcohol testing mandates. Its influence extends into crucial areas like workplace safety and the adherence to federal guidelines, which are essential for maintaining public safety.
Stakeholder Effects
Aviation Employers: These entities may feel the administrative burden of compliance with these regulations. Understanding their obligations and how their data will be used or analyzed demands clarity that currently seems lacking in the document.
Pilots and Aviation Personnel: Positive effects arise from the cultural and practical norms fostered by such programs, primarily regarding increased workplace safety and well-being.
By inviting public comments, the FAA seeks to balance the need for oversight with the practicality and efficiency required by the industries it regulates. Nonetheless, without more detailed insights into the processes, both the clarity and implementation of the FAA's plans might draw criticism or concern from stakeholders generally supportive of industry regulation.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific details on how the collected information will be used beyond general purposes such as determining compliance, oversight planning, and communication. This could be perceived as vague or ambiguous.
• There is no specific explanation of how the burden estimate of 5 minutes per response was calculated, which might lead to questions about the accuracy of the burden estimate.
• The document provides only a high-level overview and lacks detailed information about the data collection methods and processes, which may raise concerns about the clarity of the data collection methodology.
• The absence of FAA forms associated with the collection is noted, but there is no description of alternative collection methods, which may be unclear for those required to comply.