Security of Checked Baggage on Flights Within the United States; Extension of Comment Period

SUMMARY: On April 19, 1999, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding security of checked baggage on flights

within the United States and invited comments for a 60-day period. The

comment period was originally scheduled to close on June 18, 1999;

however, the FAA is extending the comment period an additional 60 days

in response to a request from the Air Transport Association (ATA) for

an extension to allow the ATA and its members to conduct an in-depth

analysis of the proposal.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed or delivered, in duplicate, to

U.S. Department of Transportation Dockets, Docket No. FAA-1999-5536;

400 Seventh St., SW, Rm. Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590. Comments may

also be sent electronically to the following internet address: 9-NPRM-

[email protected] Comments may be filed and/or examined in Room Plaza 401

between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, except federal holidays.

Comments regarding national security information or sensitive

security information should not be submitted to the public docket.

These comments should be submitted according to procedures for

safeguarding sensitive security information and sent to: Federal

Aviation Administration, Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations,

Attn: FAA Security Control Point, Docket No. FAA-1999-5536; 800

Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591. Questions on these

procedures may be directed to Lon M. Siro (see For Further Information

Contact).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lon M. Siro, Aviation Security

Specialist, Civil Aviation Security Office of Policy and Planning, ACP-

100, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW,

Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3414.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Comments relating to the environmental, energy,

federalism, or economic impact that might result from adopting the

proposal are also invited. Substantive comments should be accompanied

by cost estimates. Comments must identify the regulatory docket or

notice number and be submitted in duplicate to the Rules Docket address

specified above.

All comments received, as well as a report summarizing each

substantive public contact with FAA personnel on this proposed

rulemaking, will be filed in the docket. The docket is available for

public inspection before and after the comment closing date.

All comments received on or before the closing date will be

considered by the Administrator before taking action. Late-filed

comments will be considered to the extent practicable. The proposal may

be changed in light of the comments received.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

must include a pre-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following

statement is made: Comments to Docket No. FAA-1999-5536. The postcard

will be date-stamped and mailed to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

An electronic copy of the NPRM may be downloaded using a modem and

suitable communications software from the FAA regulations section of

the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: (703) 321-

3339), the Government Printing Office's electronic bulletin board

service (telephone: (202) 512-1661), or, if applicable, the FAA's

Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee bulletin board service

(telephone: (800) 322-2722 or (202) 267-5948.

Internet users may reach the FAA's webpage at http://www.faa.gov/

avr/arm/nprm/nprm.htm or the Federal Register's web page at http://

www.access.gpo.gov/nara for access to recently published rulemaking

documents.

Any person may obtain a copy of the NPRM by submitting a request to

the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800

Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-

9680. Communications must identify the docket number or notice number

of the NPRM.

Persons interested in being placed on the mailing list for future

rulemaking documents should request from the above office a copy of

Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution

System, that describes the application procedure.

Extension of Comment Period

On April 19, 1999, the FAA published Notice No. 99-05, Security of

Checked Baggage on Flights Within the United States (64 FR 19220). The

FAA requested that comments to that document be submitted on or before

June 18, 1999. By letter dated April 20, 1999, the Air Transport

Association (ATA) requested that the FAA extend the comment period for

60 days. The ATA stated that the extension would allow both the ATA and

its members to conduct an in-depth analysis of the proposal.

The FAA determines that extending the comment period is in the

public interest and that good cause exists for taking this action.

Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 99-05 is extended until

August 17, 1999.

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 4, 1999.

Anthony Fainberg,

Director, Office of Civil Aviation Security Policy and Planning.

[FR Doc. 99-14833 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am]

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