In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved with the following terms of clearance: NRC will submit individual collections under this clearance to OMB prior to issuing any individual surveys and OMB will strive to provide feedback on the individual collections within ten working days, whenever possible. In addition, it is requested that NRC contact the OIRA desk officer in advance of submitting the extension for this collection in order to evaluate the available submission options for this collection such as the generic and fast track survey collection types.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2017
36 Months From Approved
04/30/2014
738
0
197
3,690
0
1,480
0
0
0
The Agreement States are asked on a one-time or as-needed basis to respond to a specific incident, to gather information on licensing and inspection practices or other technical and training-related information. In 2007, the NRC policy changed to begin funding training for Agreement State materials licensing and inspection staff and associated travel to attend courses offered through the NRC training program. The results of such information requests, which are authorized under Section 274(b) of the Atomic Energy Act, are utilized in part by the NRC in preparing responses to Congressional inquiries.
The Agreement State comments are also solicited in the areas of proposed procedures, implementing guidance, and in the development of new and revised regulations and policies.
The overall burden increased by 2,210 hours, from 1,480 to 3,690 hours, and an increase in the number of responses from 197 to 738 because of an increase in exchange of information required for Agreement State participation in NRC-sponsored training courses, new regulations and their implementation, and the revisions of the policies and procedures that established the foundation for NRC's interactions with and oversight of the Agreement State programs.
The number of training courses offered in a calendar year and the number of the Agreement State participants in each course has increased in response to (1) an increase of junior staff hiring in the Agreement State programs due to personnel turnover; (2) an increase in regulatory requirements; (3) and as a result of increased training requirements to get qualified as an inspector and license reviewer. Consequently, the number of Agreement State responses has increased due to exchange of information for training purposes, such as, student travel submissions.
In addition, new regulations adopted by the NRC, which include the security of radioactive material and distribution of byproduct material, will need to be adopted by the Agreement States. The implementation and review of these regulations will require exchange of information between the NRC and all Agreement States.
NRC staff is currently revising the "Statement of Principles and Policy for the Agreement State Program," and the "Policy Statement on the Adequacy and Compatibility of Agreement State Programs," and the associated implementing procedures, including the agency's primary oversight program of the Agreement States, the "Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program." Since these policies and procedures are the framework for the interactions and oversight of Agreement State programs, the NRC and Agreement State staffs are working together in updating these policies and procedures by providing every opportunity available to receive input from the Agreement States. Such involvement yields an increase amount of NRC requests and Agreement State responses.
In addition, the professional staff hourly rate increased from $257 to $274 per hour.
$239,750
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Stephen Poy 301 415-7135
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Final SS - Requests to Agreement States for Information.doc
Requests to Agreement States for Information