Overview
Title
Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FCC wants to know what people think about a plan to collect information to make things less complicated and easier, especially for small businesses. They are asking for ideas on making this task simpler and to figure out if it's really needed and useful. Interested people can share their thoughts until March 17, 2025.
Summary AI
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection effort as part of its ongoing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The FCC is specifically looking for feedback on the necessity, utility, clarity, and burden estimates of the proposed information collection, as well as suggestions for minimizing its impact on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Interested parties have until March 17, 2025, to submit their comments. This initiative requires the submission of information for statutory obligations and involves businesses or other for-profit entities related to utility pole attachments.
Abstract
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice inviting public comments on a proposed information collection initiative. This call for feedback aligns with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to minimize the burden of paperwork on the public and ensure efficient information exchange. The FCC's notice is particularly focused on gathering insights regarding the necessity, utility, and impact of the information being collected, as well as strategies to reduce its burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments on this proposal are due by March 17, 2025.
General Summary
The FCC seeks public input on a proposed information collection process associated with utility pole attachments. This involves businesses or for-profit entities engaging in activities related to the shared use of utility poles. The initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline administrative processes and lessen the paperwork load required by federal regulations. The notice outlines a framework for respondents to provide feedback, emphasizing the reduction of burdensome paperwork, the use of technology to enhance efficiency, and ensuring that such information gathering is essential for the FCC's operations.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several issues within the document that merit attention. Firstly, while the FCC emphasizes minimizing the burden on small businesses, it fails to specify the potential cost implications for these businesses. Considering the importance placed on easing burdens for entities with fewer than 25 employees, more detailed information on financial impacts would be beneficial.
Another point of concern is the broad range provided for the "Estimated Time per Response," which varies from 0.50 hours to 75 hours. This wide range could create confusion about the actual effort required, potentially leading to inconsistent expectations among respondents.
Furthermore, there is ambiguity surrounding how the necessity of the proposed information collection is evaluated. More transparency in the criteria used to determine its necessity for the FCC's functions would enhance the document's clarity.
The "Total Annual Cost" of $15,000 seems notably low, given the stated total annual burden of 2,759 hours. This suggests either an underestimation or incomplete consideration of underlying costs.
Lastly, the document mentions "Pole Attachment Complaint Procedures" with little explanation, which could leave readers unfamiliar with the regulations under 47 CFR 1 Subpart J seeking additional context.
Potential Impact on the Public
Broadly, the public's interaction with this document will largely revolve around comprehension and the ability to provide meaningful feedback. The initiative's success relies on effectively capturing public and business concerns to inform the FCC's regulatory actions.
For individuals or businesses that might be directly affected, the notice's emphasis on reducing administrative burdens could be positively received, if paired with real-world improvements. However, the lack of clarity on costs and process expectations might deter some stakeholders from engaging, particularly smaller entities that the notice aims to support.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
From a stakeholder perspective, businesses operating within the utility pole sector are most directly impacted by this notice. For them, the proposed information collection process and its associated obligations can influence operational practices, administrative load, and compliance strategies. For these stakeholders, understanding time commitments and cost implications is crucial for planning resources and aligning with FCC requirements.
While there is potential for positive impacts through reduced paperwork and streamlined processes, the effectiveness of the FCC's initiative will depend significantly on how respondent feedback is used to fine-tune the proposed collections and ensure they address stakeholder concerns comprehensively.
In conclusion, while the FCC's notice is an opportunity to refine and improve regulatory processes, success will be contingent upon detailed clarity in communication and the practical application of collected feedback to enhance administrative efficiency and fairness.
Financial Assessment
In the Federal Register document under examination, there is a reference to the Total Annual Cost associated with the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) information collection effort, which is stated to be $15,000. This figure is presented in the "Supplementary Information" section where various logistical details about the information collection process are outlined.
Financial Summary
The Total Annual Cost of $15,000 is intended to encapsulate the financial implications of the FCC's activities related to pole attachment complaint procedures as authorized under 47 U.S.C. 224. This cost covers administrative and operational expenses associated with collecting, reviewing, and processing the necessary information from respondents, who are primarily businesses and other for-profit entities.
Relationship to Identified Issues
Underestimation of Costs: The document highlights a potentially significant issue— the Total Annual Cost of $15,000 appears low when juxtaposed with the reported Total Annual Burden of 2,759 hours. This discrepancy may suggest either an underestimation of the actual costs incurred or a lack of comprehensive financial accounting. If respondents are collectively spending 2,759 hours annually on these activities, the costs associated with this time commitment might include expenses beyond those covered by the stated $15,000, such as labor, resources, or additional administrative fees.
Inadequate Cost Representation for Small Businesses: Although the document asserts an intention to minimize burdens on small businesses, it fails to detail how the financial allocations, including the $15,000 cost, specifically impact these entities. Given the focus on reducing paperwork burdens, there needs to be more precise articulation of how these financial resources are allocated to alleviate potential financial strains on smaller firms, particularly those with fewer than 25 employees.
The lapses in clarity regarding financial implications and allocations indicate a need for deeper insight into how the costs are distributed and justified, especially in the context of administrative burdens and economic impacts on small business respondents. Providing additional data or a breakdown of these costs would furnish more transparency and assist stakeholders in evaluating the fairness and adequacy of the financial estimations stated in this federal notice.
Issues
• The notice lacks specific information regarding the potential cost implications for small businesses, despite emphasizing the importance of reducing the burden on entities with fewer than 25 employees.
• The range for the 'Estimated Time per Response' (0.50 hours to 75 hours) is quite broad, which could lead to confusion regarding the expected effort needed from respondents.
• No details are provided about the impact or criteria for evaluating 'whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission'.
• The ‘Total Annual Cost’ of $15,000 seems low given the total annual burden time of 2,759 hours, indicating potential underestimation or lack of detail in cost accounting.
• The term 'Pole Attachment Complaint Procedures' is used without sufficient context or explanation for readers not familiar with 47 CFR 1 Subpart J.
• The document lacks any mention or breakdown of efforts to utilize technology or automated solutions to address the paperwork burden as highlighted in the request for comments.