FR 2025-05496

The Department of Commerce has issued a public notice seeking feedback on its Foreign National Request Form, as part of its compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This document invites individuals and federal agencies to comment on the proposed and ongoing information collection activities, emphasizing the effort to reduce the reporting burden on the public while evaluating the impact of these information requirements. The gathered information is aimed at managing access for foreign nationals to the Department's facilities in an effort to maintain security and ensure adherence to established guidelines.

Summary of the Document

The notice outlines a 60-day period, ending on May 30, 2025, for public comment before the submission of the collection materials to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Input is solicited regarding the necessity, utility, and clarity of the information collection, as well as ways to enhance its quality and minimize any burdens on respondents. The collection is intended to be both in paper and electronic form and is aimed at individuals or households, with the process estimated to involve 16,000 respondents. The department provides contact details for further inquiries and encourages the inclusion of practical suggestions for improving the program.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One notable concern is the absence of a detailed explanation regarding how the estimated number of 16,000 respondents was arrived at. This lack of clarity may raise doubts about the accuracy and overall validity of the statistics presented. Additionally, there is insufficient information on how the paper and electronic methods of data collection will be executed and secured, an important consideration given the potentially sensitive nature of the data being collected from foreign nationals.

Moreover, the document advises that comments submitted, including personal identifying information, may be publicly accessible, which could dissuade public participation or honest feedback submission due to privacy concerns. Another issue is the voluntary nature of the information collection—a fact not fully explained in terms of its implications on data comprehensiveness if individuals opt not to participate. Lastly, the absence of an estimated cost impact on the public could lead to questions about potential hidden costs, not explicitly stated in the notice.

Impact on the Public

The document's impact on the general public is multi-faceted. On one hand, it represents an effort to streamline administrative processes, potentially resulting in reduced redundancies in compliance tasks for both citizens and government operations. On the other hand, the lack of transparency in respondent estimates and concerns over data security may limit effective public participation, which is crucial for a robust understanding of the proposal’s implications.

Impact on Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, such as foreign nationals who interact with Department of Commerce facilities, are directly affected by changes to the information gathering processes. The attempt to better align security practices with broader federal guidelines could result in more consistent protocols. However, these individuals may experience apprehension regarding the security of their personal information, influencing their engagement with the form.

Federal agencies, academic researchers, and policy analysts may find interest in commenting on or observing how the Department manages data collection and security practices. They might regard this as an opportunity to enhance collaboration across agencies or to study the efficacy of federal information policies.

Overall, while the Foreign National Request Form initiative aims to balance security and usability, addressing the identified concerns would greatly contribute to promoting stakeholder trust and participation.

The Federal Register document outlines an information collection activity by the Department of Commerce, focusing on a Foreign National Request Form. Within this document, a notable financial reference is the "Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0." This statement indicates that the department anticipates no direct financial burden on the public as a result of this information collection.

This financial reference is significant in several ways:

Cost Evaluation and Transparency
The declaration of a zero-dollar cost raises questions regarding the transparency and thoroughness of the department’s cost estimation. Typically, when an agency states that a process will not incur costs to the public, it implies that there are no fees or direct expenses associated with participation. However, the document does not clarify whether this assessment includes potential indirect costs such as time, resources needed for compliance, or data security measures related to submitting the information.

Relation to Identified Issues
One issue identified is the method of collection, which includes both paper and electronic means. The absence of a specified cost might not account for the implied expenses incurred by individuals or households who participate in the collection, such as printing, scanning, or the necessity of internet access for electronic submission. Moreover, while the document estimates 16,000 respondents and 4,000 total annual burden hours, it fails to address why the financial impact remains at zero, leading to a possible underestimation of hidden costs, such as respondents' time and effort, which the document does not acknowledge.

Respondents’ Obligation and Voluntary Status
The document describes participation as "voluntary," which could imply that individuals are not financially compelled to respond. However, it lacks clarity on the implications for respondents who choose not to participate, potentially affecting the cost impact—both indeterminately and indirectly—through missed opportunities or lack of engagement in departmental programs.

Public Concern and Feedback
The discussion on costs is crucial to public engagement during the comment period. Understanding the financial implications helps the public provide more focused and informed feedback. The declaration of "no cost" could discourage critical analysis or criticism concerning the potential hidden costs, thus impacting the public's willingness to participate or accurately assess the information collection's overall burden.

In summary, while the document claims no financial cost to the public, the absence of explanation regarding indirect costs or data handling nuances could lead to an underrepresentation of respondents' effort and impact the response rate and effectiveness of the public comment process. Addressing these areas transparently could enhance public participation and signify an awareness of respondents' comprehensive experience.