Overview
Title
Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FCC wants people to say if filling out their forms is too hard or not necessary, so they can make things better, especially for small businesses who might have a harder time with them.
Summary AI
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking for public comments on its information collection methods under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The goal is to find out if these collections are truly necessary, if the burden estimates are accurate, and how they might be improved or lessened, especially for small businesses. Two specific information collections are discussed: one involves AM radio stations applying for extensions of service times, and the other pertains to submissions for AM radio auction applications to ensure fair distribution of radio service. The FCC emphasizes that they cannot collect information without a valid control number from the Office of Management and Budget.
Abstract
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) calls for public commentary on its information collection practices under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The aim is to gather feedback on the necessity and efficiency of these collections, accuracy in estimating the burden they place on respondents, and suggestions for improvements. It explicitly seeks ways to reduce paperwork for small businesses and is linked to two specific areas: authorizations for AM radio broadcasting service beyond regular hours, and submissions relating to AM radio auctions ensuring fair access across communities.
General Summary
The notice invites opinions on whether these data collections are critical for the FCC's role, the accuracy of their current burden estimates, and methods to enhance or streamline the process. The FCC emphasizes that no information can be collected without a valid control number from the Office of Management and Budget. Additionally, it describes two key collections: one related to AM radio service extensions and another to AM auction applications ensuring fair radio station distribution.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document, starting with a significant annual cost ($2,126,100) and workload (1,029 hours) associated with collecting AM auction information. However, there is no detailed breakdown of these figures, which might obscure understanding for stakeholders evaluating the process's expense and fairness.
Moreover, the auction process's description is complex, with highly technical and legal jargon that can be bewildering to those not grounded in such language. This complexity suggests a barrier to understanding, which may exclude or dissuade broader participation or feedback.
The document also claims to address burdens on small businesses but lacks clarity on specific measures being employed to achieve this goal. Explicit examples or explanations in the 'needs and uses' section could render the notice more accessible to the general public unfamiliar with highly specialized industry terms.
Lastly, the document's supplementary section refers to specific legal codes and identifiers, potentially alienating readers with less understanding of the regulations or their implications.
Potential Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broad Public Impact:
The solicitation of public comments suggests an openness to adapt practices in ways that might ease interactions with the FCC, particularly for smaller entities or individuals. However, the dense language and structure might limit fruitful engagement from those without a deep understanding of legal or technical matters.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders:
For businesses, especially small ones, any reduction in paperwork burden could have positive effects by saving time and resources. On the flip side, firms might find the unclear presentation of obligations and requirements burdensome if they make compliance more arduous than necessary.
Additionally, the radio sector may see both opportunities and challenges. Fair distribution of radio stations could enhance service diversity but achieving a clear and straightforward application process remains essential. Organizations involved must navigate complex systems with limited guidance, potentially affecting operational efficiency and strategic planning.
In closing, while the FCC is actively pursuing feedback and reductions in administrative burdens, the current outline lacks clarity and accessibility, posing challenges in its outreach and applicability to a broad audience.
Financial Assessment
The Federal Register document under review involves two main financial references, both related to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) information collections under its delegated authority as established by the Paperwork Reduction Act. These financial references are primarily linked to operational costs associated with maintaining and managing regulatory information collections.
Overview of Financial References
The document mentions two sets of financial expenses:
Total Annual Costs: $15,000 – This cost is associated with the information collection requirements under OMB Control Number 3060-0157, which relates to the Presunrise Service Authorization (PSRA) and Postsunset Service Authorization (PSSA) for AM broadcast stations. The burden of this collection is indicated to be 50 hours annually, suggesting a relatively modest engagement in terms of time and financial resources.
Total Annual Costs: $2,126,100 – This substantially larger cost pertains to the information collection under OMB Control Number 3060-0996. This collection supports the AM Auction Section 307(b) Submissions. The annual burden for this collection is significantly higher at 1,029 hours, reflecting the more complex and extensive nature of the requirements under this control number.
Financial Implications and Identified Issues
The document highlights certain issues concerning these financial allocations:
Complex Financial Overview: The high annual cost of $2,126,100 for OMB Control Number 3060-0996 is significant and likely includes various operational expenses such as labor, technology, and administrative overheads. However, the document lacks a detailed breakdown of these costs, leaving stakeholders without a comprehensive understanding of how funds are allocated or assessed beyond mere totals. Understanding these specific financial implications could facilitate better engagement and compliance among those required to participate in the information collections.
Burdens on Stakeholders: The document emphasizes the importance of minimizing information collection burdens, yet the substantial financial load without detailed explanations may obscure efforts intended to assist smaller businesses—particularly those with fewer than 25 employees. Recognizing specific cost components might enable these entities to evaluate the fairness or justifications for their financial contributions toward maintaining FCC’s regulatory compliance.
Clarity in Financial Communication: While the sums mentioned are significant, their communication lacks clarity due to legalistic language and regulatory terms that might confuse general readers. Addressing this issue could involve simplifying language and providing clearer guidance on how these costs directly benefit the communities and stakeholders involved in the FCC’s regulatory framework.
The document’s references to these financial allocations are critical to understanding the operational implications of FCC activities but would greatly benefit from more detailed and accessible explanations to enhance transparency and engagement from the public and stakeholders.
Issues
• The document mentions significant annual costs ($2,126,100) and burden (1,029 hours) associated with OMB Control Number 3060-0996 without a detailed breakdown of these costs, which might prevent stakeholders from fully understanding or evaluating the expenses involved.
• The language used in the section describing section 307(b) information and the auction process is complex and might be difficult for individuals without a legal or technical background to fully comprehend.
• There is a lack of information on what measures are being taken to minimize the burden of information collection on small businesses, despite mentioning concerns about reducing such burdens.
• The document could include more explicit explanations or examples to clarify the 'needs and uses' section, which currently uses specialized language and concepts that may not be easily understood by the general public.
• The supplementary information section includes several legal and procedural references (e.g., "47 CFR 73.3525" and "OMB 3060-0213") that might be confusing or inaccessible to readers unfamiliar with the specific regulations and identifiers.