Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Declaration Form
Agencies
ELI5 AI
FEMA wants to know what people think about continuing a list of hotels and motels that are safe from fires, so everyone, including people who work for the government, can find safe places to stay. They want people’s opinions by February 2025.
Summary AI
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a request for public comments on the extension of an existing information collection concerning fire safety in hotels and motels. This collection helps maintain a list of accommodations that meet fire safety standards, which federal employees and other travelers can use to ensure safe lodging. The information is collected through the Federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Declaration Form and is published on the National Master List. Comments on this extension, which involves no change to the current collection, must be submitted by February 10, 2025.
Abstract
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning a list of hotels, motels, and similar places of public accommodations meeting minimum fire-safety requirements. The information collected is voluntary and if approved for listing, the lodging establishment may be used by Federal employees on government related travel and for Federal agency conferences. As the list is open to use by the public, non-government travelers may use the list to identify lodging meeting minimum life-safety criteria from fire.
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Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) outlines a request for public comments regarding the continued collection of fire safety information from hotels, motels, and similar lodging establishments. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to maintain a National Master List of accommodations that meet specific fire safety standards. This list serves both federal employees, who are required to use it when traveling on official business, and general travelers seeking safer accommodations.
General Summary
FEMA's notice invites comments on maintaining the current system for information collection, which involves the Federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Declaration Form. This form provides necessary data that helps identify accommodations meeting fire safety requirements outlined in the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990. The process is voluntary and aims to provide assurance of safety for travelers.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document regarding transparency and clarity:
Cost Breakdown: The document lists a total cost to the Federal Government of $102,005 but does not provide a detailed breakdown. This lack of detail may prevent stakeholders from understanding how funds are allocated and if there might be potential for cost savings.
Complex Language: The document uses formal and technical language, which could be difficult for those not familiar with legal or bureaucratic jargon. Simplifying or providing additional explanations could improve accessibility.
Zero Costs to Respondents: The assertion that respondent costs for operation and maintenance and capital and start-up expenses are $0 could be confusing without additional context on how these figures are derived.
Respondent Cost Estimates: The document states an estimated total annual respondent cost of $40,178 but does not explain the methodology, leaving room for questioning the accuracy of these figures.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the maintenance of the National Master List ensures that they have access to information about the safety of various lodging options, promoting safer travel experiences. This is particularly important for those concerned about fire hazards when staying in hotels and motels.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Federal Employees: There is a direct impact on federal employees who are mandated to stay in accommodations listed on the National Master List for official travel. This ensures their safety and aligns with statutory requirements, although they might face limitations in terms of lodging options.
Lodging Establishments: For hotels and motels, inclusion on the list offers a marketing advantage and potential increase in patronage from both federal and non-federal travelers. However, these establishments may experience a burden in ensuring compliance with fire safety requirements and submitting the necessary documentation.
Overall, while the purpose of FEMA's effort is commendable, providing clarity on costs and simplifying communication could enhance understanding and participation for all stakeholders involved.
Financial Assessment
The document provides financial information surrounding the Federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Declaration Form, as organized by FEMA, part of the Department of Homeland Security. Several financial aspects include estimated annual costs associated with this initiative.
Summary of Financial Allocations
The document outlines several estimated financial figures related to the initiative:
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost: $40,178. This figure represents the total annual cost to the respondents who provide information for this collection effort.
Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs: $0. It is indicated that respondents bear no operation and maintenance costs related to this collection.
Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs: $0. There are also no expected capital and start-up costs for respondents.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $102,005. This indicates the anticipated annual expenditure by the government to manage and maintain this information collection.
Analysis and Related Issues
The costs detailed in the document are presented without extensive elaboration, creating potential issues regarding clarity and transparency:
Lack of Cost Breakdown: While the Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government is mentioned to be $102,005, the document does not break down how these funds are allocated or justify the costs. Without a breakdown, it is challenging to assess whether these funds are used efficiently or if there is potential wastefulness.
Unexplained Zero Costs: Both the Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs and Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs are noted as $0. However, the document lacks an explanation of why these costs are zero. Stakeholders might find it unclear why participants in this government's program supposedly incur no such costs.
Unclear Derivation of Respondent Costs: There is no explanation provided on how FEMA derived the Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost of $40,178. This lack of detail might lead readers to question the accuracy and reliability of this financial estimate, making it important for FEMA to possibly provide additional context or methodology.
Financial Purpose and Utility Not Elucidated: Although the document briefly mentions the purpose of the data collection, it provides limited explanation of its practical utility. Enhancing this section could be very beneficial, particularly in demonstrating why these financial inputs are necessary and how they contribute to meeting safety requirements.
Addressing these issues directly by providing detailed justification and breakdown of costs could enhance transparency and improve stakeholders' understanding of how resources are utilized in this initiative.
Issues
• The document mentions a cost to the Federal Government of $102,005 but does not break down how these costs are allocated or why they are necessary, making it difficult to assess potential wastefulness.
• The language used in the text is quite formal and dense, such as in the legal references and procedural instructions, which might be difficult for a layperson to fully comprehend.
• The document does not provide additional context on why the operation and maintenance costs and capital and start-up costs for respondents are estimated at $0, which could be unclear.
• There is no explanation of how FEMA derived the estimated total annual respondent cost of $40,178, which might leave readers questioning the accuracy of these figures.
• The purpose and practical utility of the data collection are briefly mentioned but could be elaborated on for better comprehension, especially for stakeholders not familiar with the detailed workings of FEMA and its initiatives.