Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to know what people think about needing a special parking permit for the Pentagon and some other places. They are asking for ideas on how to make this process easy and fair for everyone before March 7, 2025.
Summary AI
The Washington Headquarter Services (WHS), under the Department of Defense, is asking for public feedback on a proposed information collection related to parking permits at the Pentagon and other facilities. This collection is necessary for individuals who need a parking permit but are not part of the Mass Transit Benefit Program. The public can submit comments until March 7, 2025. The initiative is part of the compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act to ensure the collection is purposeful and not burdensome to respondents, who are primarily individuals or households. The operation is guided by specific statutory and administrative instructions.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the WHS announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Register document outlines a proposed information collection notice by the Washington Headquarter Services (WHS), part of the Department of Defense. This collection seeks public feedback, particularly from individuals requiring parking permits at the Pentagon and other government buildings, but who are not enrolled in the Mass Transit Benefit Program. It is essential to note that this falls under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aimed at ensuring any collection of public data is purposeful and not excessively burdensome.
General Summary
The document sets forth a framework to collect information related to parking permits at major Department of Defense facilities. It invites public commentary on whether this information is necessary, the burden it imposes, and suggestions for enhancing its clarity and utility. Comments are requested by March 7, 2025. The notice includes procedural details for the submission of comments and some data about the collection, such as the expected 4,200 respondents and a brief submission time of five minutes per response.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several notable issues:
Legal and Administrative References: While the document mentions various legal and administrative authorities, it does not elaborate on their relevant applications to the data collection process. This omission might lead to confusion or ambiguity about the extent of these authorities.
Complex Language: The language used is typical for bureaucratic publications, potentially making it difficult for the general public to navigate and understand. Clarity is essential, especially for documents inviting public participation and commentary.
Repetitiveness: Both the abstract and summary sections repeat similar points regarding the purpose of the information collection and the call for public comments. Streamlining these sections could enhance clarity.
Data Protection Concerns: The document mentions dealing with personal identifiers but does not specify protective measures for this information. Ensuring the security of personal data is critical, especially in this age of increased privacy concerns.
Limited Accessibility for Comment Submission: Comments are primarily collected online, which might exclude individuals who lack internet access. An alternative submission method would better address potential accessibility issues.
Impact on the Public
Broad Public Impact: The call for public comments is a crucial democratic process, allowing individuals to influence how public information is collected and used. Effective participation ensures that the process is streamlined for both the collecting agency and the respondents.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders: Individuals who need parking permits but are not part of the Mass Transit Benefit Program are directly affected. Streamlined procedures and minimized burdens would significantly benefit these groups, ensuring equal access to parking facilities without undue hassle.
Conclusion
The document provides a necessary mechanism for public input on governmental information collection practices. However, it must improve clarity, address privacy concerns, and enhance accessibility to ensure meaningful public engagement. Addressing these issues would strengthen the initiative’s effectiveness and its receptivity among potential respondents.
Issues
• The document references several legal and administrative authorities but does not provide detailed information on how they apply to the data collection, which may cause confusion or ambiguity.
• The language in the document is typical of bureaucratic notices and might be considered overly complex or difficult for the general public to understand.
• The abstract and summary sections are somewhat repetitive, both emphasizing the purposes of the proposed information collection and invitation for comments, which could be streamlined for clarity.
• The document does not specify any measures or consider methods to ensure the protection of personal information that may be submitted by respondents, which is a concern given the reference to personal identifiers and contact information.
• The method for submitting comments is fairly standard, but no alternative process is offered for those who may not have internet access, potentially limiting accessibility for some commenters.