The State Department seeks comments by May 7 on a proposed change to its procedures for submitting voluntary disclosures of violations of the Arms Export Control Act. “Historically, respondents to this information collection submitted their disclosures to [the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)] in writing via hard copy documentation. However, as part of an IT modernization project designed to streamline the collection and use of information by DDTC, a discrete form has been developed for the submission of voluntary disclosures. This will allow both DDTC and respondents submitting a disclosure to more easily track submissions,” it said. As it sends the new information collection procedure to OMB for approval, State seeks comments on whether the information collection is necessary, how it can be improved, and how the burden on industry can be reduced.

The Bureau of Industry Security seeks comments on the burden on importers from its information collections related to license exceptions and exclusions for products subject to Export Administration Regulation export controls, it said. The agency is set to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget for these information collection requirements, which may include reporting or record-keeping requirements. Comments on the requirements and BIS's estimate of their burden on importers are due May 6.

The Bureau of Industry and Security needs access to the State Department’s internal screening list once export controls on many firearms, artillery and ammunition are transferred from State to BIS, the Government Accountability Office said in a March 1 report. State has compiled years of information on illegitimate and bad actors in its watch list, and BIS may “lack critical information needed to effectively screen license applicants for firearms and related exports” once the transfers are finalized if it can’t get access, the report said.