FR 2025-00369

The document outlines a proposed revision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the U.S. Department of Justice, concerning its Citizens' Academy Application form. This proposal, which will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, is being revised to address the estimated number of respondents and their burden in completing the form, aligning with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The public is encouraged to provide comments, focusing on the accuracy, utility, and clarity of the collection process. The overarching aim is to streamline the procedure for participants and ensure effective data collection.

Key Issues and Concerns

One notable issue in the document is the lack of detailed explanation regarding the change in monetized value associated with the information collection request, which has been adjusted from $0 to $83. This critical adjustment remains unclear without insight into the underlying methodology. Additionally, the document can appear somewhat repetitive in conveying its intentions and actions, especially in sections like the summary and supplementary information. Streamlining these sections for clarity could benefit readers.

The document also mentions a significant decrease in the estimated number of respondents—from 750 in 2021 to just 36. While this change might reflect updates in eligibility or interest, the absence of a detailed rationale or context could lead to questions regarding the factors contributing to this decline. Furthermore, the estimated total annual cost burden is presented without a breakdown of components, which could lead to confusion among stakeholders trying to grasp the financial implications.

Potential Impact on the Public

The broader public impact seems to focus heavily on enhancing procedural efficiency and reducing the burden on respondents. By potentially permitting electronic submissions and other technological advancements, the ATF aims to streamline the data collection process. This could be particularly beneficial for individuals from households or backgrounds where traditional form submission methods are burdensome.

Impact on Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, such as potential participants of the ATF's Citizens' Academy, may observe a positive impact due to reduced time (estimated at around 6 minutes) required to complete the form. The decrease in administrative burden could encourage more individuals to apply, supporting broader educational participation in the academy. However, the technical language used in parts of the document, like "affected public who will be asked or required to respond," may confuse some stakeholders, especially when response is noted as voluntary.

Overall, while the document seeks to make substantive improvements to the information collection process, the issues surrounding clarity and transparency could hinder full stakeholder engagement and understanding. More detailed explanations and simplified language may improve the proposal's outreach and effectiveness.

The document presents a notice from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding a revision of a previously approved information collection request. The focus centers around the collection of personally identifiable information for the ATF's Citizens' Academy using ATF Form 3000.12. This collection has undergone revisions that affect both its monetized value and the total annual cost burden.

Monetized Value and Annual Cost Burden

The revised information collection request now includes a monetized value, which has changed from $0 to $83 (rounded). This adjustment is significant considering that the request previously did not include a monetized component. The exact methodology behind this evaluation isn't elaborated upon in the document, which could lead to some ambiguity regarding how exactly this monetized value was determined. Providing a more detailed explanation or a breakdown could enhance transparency and understanding of how this figure was developed.

In terms of the total annual cost burden associated with the collection, the document specifies this as $82.8. Again, the document lacks a detailed breakdown of how this figure was derived, and it would benefit from a clearer explanation. The absence of a clear component analysis within the cost burden can lead to confusion among those reviewing the document, as they may not fully grasp the finances involved.

Changes in Respondent Numbers and Burden Hours

The document outlines a significant decrease in the number of respondents, from 750 down to 36, resulting in the overall annual burden hours decreasing from 63 hours to 3.6 hours. This considerable drop in participants also likely contributes to the reduced cost and monetized value associated with the information collection. The specific reasons for this decline are not detailed, which might leave questions unresolved regarding the nature of the changes in participation and whether they impact the projected financial metrics.

The estimated time for each respondent to complete the form is noted as 0.10 hours. While mathematically correct, presenting this estimate as 6 minutes rather than as a decimal might improve clarity and readability for the public.

Conclusion

The document primarily addresses revisions in the financial considerations tied to the ATF’s Citizens' Academy application process. The adjustments are oriented toward the monetized value of the information collection and the estimated cost burden. Though the financial figures provided are clear, the broader context and underlying computations behind these figures warrant further clarification. This would aid in demystifying the transition from zero to a defined financial valuation and help the public better understand the allocation and burden associated with this information collection effort.