FR 2021-03922

The document is a notice from the U.S. Marshals Service within the Department of Justice, informing the public about a proposed new data collection effort that will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget. The purpose of this collection is to use a form, designated as USM-649, for state, local, and tribal agencies to formally request vulnerability assessments of government facilities. This effort is part of adhering to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, designed to minimize the paperwork burden for individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies.

General Summary

The notice announces a 30-day period during which the public can submit comments regarding the proposal, extending until March 29, 2021. Intended respondents are primarily state, local, and tribal organizations, estimating that 20 entities annually will use the form. Completing the form is expected to take about 30 minutes per respondent, resulting in a total public burden of 10 hours per year.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several notable concerns arise from the document:

1. Clarity on Methodology: The notice does not detail the criteria or methodology employed to assess the necessity or utility of the information collection. This lack of specificity may lead to ambiguity during the evaluation process.

2. Cost and Funding: There is no information provided regarding the cost or funding of implementing this information collection, leaving stakeholders without a sense of the financial implications involved. This aspect is critical for stakeholders to understand potential fiscal impacts accurately.

3. Language Accessibility: The instructions for submitting comments use specialized language, such as "Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments," which might not be clear for everyone. This could limit public participation.

4. Scope of Respondents: The document designates primary respondents as state, local, and tribal organizations. There is no indication of whether other entities might need to use the form or are indirectly affected, which could lead to misunderstandings or inadequate preparation.

5. Sufficiency of Data: Estimating just 20 respondents seems low, which could raise questions about whether sufficient data will be gathered to support meaningful policy or decision-making processes.

Broader Public Impact

For the general public, this data collection effort aims to enhance the safety and security of governmental facilities by ensuring a structured vulnerability assessment process. If successful, this could lead to better-protected facilities and potentially lower risks of breaches or security incidents, thereby indirectly benefiting public safety at large.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: These organizations are directly invited to participate and are the primary respondents. The proposed information collection could facilitate a robust mechanism for securing their government facilities against vulnerabilities.

• Public Policy Developers: Policymakers may rely on the information gathered from these assessments to inform decisions regarding security enhancements. However, the estimated low respondent numbers could result in a lack of comprehensive data, potentially leading to policy development that might not fully reflect broader security needs.

Overall, while the intention behind this proposed collection is to advance the safety and integrity of critical infrastructures, ensuring clear communication, transparency in methodology, and adequate public involvement are crucial elements that must be addressed to maximize the potential benefits and minimize any negative impacts.