Proposed Rules. Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period

Agency: Transportation Security Administration, DHS
Action: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2017-04976 · RIN 1652-AA56 · Docket No. TSA-2016-0002

Summary

The Transportation Security Administration is reopening the comment period for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2016, requesting public comments on several topics relevant to the development of surface transportation vulnerability assessment and security plan regulations mandated by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act). TSA is reopening the comment period for an additional 60 days due to several requests by commenters in the rulemaking docket.

Dates

The comment period for the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2016 (81 FR 91401) is reopened. Comments must be received by May 15, 2017.

Supplementary Information

On December 16, 2016, TSA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register (81 FR 91401), requesting public comments on several topics relevant to the development of surface transportation vulnerability assessment and security plan regulations mandated by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act). Based on its regular interaction with stakeholders, TSA assumes many higher-risk railroads (freight and passenger), public transportation agencies, and over-the-road buses (OTRBs) have implemented security programs with security measures similar to those identified by the 9/11 Act's regulatory requirements. In general, TSA is requesting information on three types of issues: (1) Existing practices, standards, tools, or other resources used or available for conducting vulnerability assessments and developing security plans; (2) information on existing security measures, including whether implemented voluntarily or in response to other regulatory requirements, and the potential impact of additional requirements on operations; and (3) information on the scope/cost of current security systems and other measures used to provide security and mitigate vulnerabilities. This information is necessary for TSA to establish the current baseline, estimate cost of implementing the statutory mandate, and develop appropriate performance standards. The comment period closed on February 14, 2017. TSA received multiple requests to extend the comment period. TSA believes reopening the comment period is necessary to meet the intended purpose of the ANPRM—to obtain information and perspectives from potentially regulated entities. Please see the ANPRM for additional background. Dated: March 6, 2017. Huban A. Gowadia, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2017-04976 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]