[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48527-48528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7055]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration

49 CFR Parts 1515, 1570, and 1572

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 125; 46 CFR Parts 10, 12, 
and 15

[Docket Nos. TSA-2006-24191; USCG-2006-24196]
RIN 1652-AA41


Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) 
Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement 
for a Commercial Driver's License

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, United States Coast 
Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, through the 
Transportation Security Administration and the United States Coast 
Guard, published an Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled 
``Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Implementation 
in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a 
Commercial Driver's License'' on May 22, 2006. In response to letters 
from Congress about the proposed rule, we sent out the letter below and 
want to make the public aware of this correspondence.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this Notice as well as the Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking and Comments received are all available in the dockets for 
this rulemaking. The dockets are available electronically at http://dms.dot.gov as well as at the Docket Management Facility located in the 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. The dockets may be located by the following docket 
numbers: TSA docket number TSA-2006-24191 or Coast Guard docket number 
USCG-2006-24196.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions related to TSA's 
proposed TWIC standards: Greg Fisher, Transportation Security 
Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220, TWIC 
Program, 571-227-4545; e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a9cadbcccdccc7ddc0c8c5c0c7cee9cdc1da87cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="57342532333239233e363b3e393017333f2479303821">[email protected]</span></a>.
    For legal questions regarding the proposed TWIC rule: Christine 
Beyer, TSA-2, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th 
Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone (571) 227-2657; facsimile 
(571) 571-1380; e-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d093b8a2b9a3a4b9beb5fe92b5a9b5a290b4b8a3feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b28031902181f02050e45290e120e192b0f0318450c041d">[email protected]</span></a>.
    For questions concerning the Coast Guard provisions of the proposed 
TWIC rule: LCDR Jonathan Maiorine, Commandant (G-PCP-2), United States 
Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593; telephone 
1-877-687-2243.
    For questions concerning viewing or submitting material to the 
docket: Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Management System, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001; telephone (202) 493-0402.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 22, 2006, the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) and the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) 
published a joint Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register 
titled ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) 
Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement 
for a Commercial Driver's License.'' 71 FR 29396. This NPRM included a 
45-day comment period and announced four public meetings to be held in 
Newark, NJ, Tampa, FL, St. Louis, MO, and Long Beach, CA.
    Since that time, TSA and Coast Guard have received several letters 
from Members of Congress on the NPRM. We recently responded to these 
letters and wanted to share our response with the public. The body of 
the letter, which can also be found in the dockets for this rulemaking, 
reads as follows:

    Thank you for your comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM)

[[Page 48528]]

entitled ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) 
Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials 
Endorsement for a Commercial Driver's License'' and ``Consolidation 
of Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials'' published in the 
Federal Register on May 22, 2006. Your comments, perspectives and 
recommendations are very important in the consideration of these 
rulemakings and in determining the best way forward with the TWIC 
and associated requirements.
    The Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration 
(TSA) received a number of requests similar to yours seeking 
additional time to comment on the proposed rules. Many of these 
comments also voiced concern regarding card and reader technology, 
analysis of economic impact, potential negative impacts to commerce, 
and uncertainty as to how TWIC requirements for facilities and 
vessels could be met.
    After a review of the comments received during the comment 
period and the requests for extension, TSA and the Coast Guard 
decided not to extend the comment period for the NPRM. However, TSA 
and Coast Guard have concluded that facility and vessel owners and 
operators will not be required to purchase or install card readers 
during the first phase of the TWIC implementation. Additionally, a 
requirement to purchase and install card readers will not be 
implemented until the public is afforded further opportunity to 
comment on that aspect of the TWIC program. The details of this 
approach will be explained in the next rulemaking.
    Thank you again for your comments on these proposed rulemakings. 
The views expressed by you and your constituents will assist and 
inform us in our decision-making process on this important effort.

    Dated: August 16, 2006.
Craig Bone,
Rear Admiral, Assistant Commandant for Prevention, United States Coast 
Guard.

    Dated: August 16, 2006.
Stephanie Rowe,
Assistant Administrator, Transportation Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 06-7055 Filed 8-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P


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