Overview
Title
Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FCC wants to hear from people about how they collect information, asking if it's needed and helpful, and how they can make it easier, especially for small businesses. They're open for comments until July 7, 2025.
Summary AI
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on its information collection efforts as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. They want feedback on whether these collections are necessary and useful, and how they could reduce the burden on small businesses. The feedback period is open until July 7, 2025. The FCC aims to improve their regulatory framework for the 220 MHz radio service, enhancing its competitiveness while ensuring compliance with their regulations.
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 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 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 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 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice asking the public for feedback on their information collection methods as part of their efforts to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. This act emphasizes minimizing unnecessary burdens related to information collection. Public comments are requested by July 7, 2025. The FCC's goal is to ensure that information collections are essential, useful, and do not impose overwhelming difficulties on small businesses. These efforts are also directed at improving the regulatory framework governing the 220 MHz radio service and its operation, aiming to make it more competitive while ensuring compliance with FCC rules.
Summary of the Document
The document declares the FCC's intentions to gather public input on information collection practices, specifically regarding the 220 MHz radio service. This is part of their ongoing review process to simplify procedures and ensure compliance. Key details include formalities such as the potential time required for respondents to complete these collections, the total annual burden in terms of hours and costs, and statutory authorities involved. The notice also outlines the extended timeframe for commenting and contact information for further inquiries.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A few issues stand out in the document:
Technical References: The document references specific sections of the FCC rules, such as Sections 90.20(a)(1)(iii) and others, which may present challenges for those not deeply familiar with FCC regulations. Simplifying or summarizing these references could enhance public understanding.
Response Time Estimate: An estimated response time ranging from 2 to 8 hours is mentioned, suggesting substantial variability. This broad range could benefit from clarification to better set expectations for respondents.
Obligation Explanation: The reasons behind the ‘obligation to respond’ being ‘required to obtain or retain benefits’ might not be entirely clear. Clarifying the nature of these benefits would improve comprehension.
Cost Details: The document states an annual cost of $90,000 without further explanation. Providing a breakdown of how this number is calculated would enhance transparency and understanding of financial impacts.
Regulatory Burdens: The description of eliminating "unnecessary regulatory burdens" is somewhat ambiguous. Specific examples of these burdens and how they will be mitigated could provide clearer insight.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document encourages public involvement in shaping how the FCC collects information, which can have meaningful impacts on transparency and efficiency. For those who participate in providing feedback, this could help streamline processes and reduce redundant paperwork, ultimately making regulatory compliance more accessible to all involved parties.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For small businesses particularly, this notice is significant. The PRA's intent to reduce collection burdens emphasizes support for smaller entities, which may not possess the resources or time to handle extensive paperwork. By potentially automating certain areas of information collection and redefining compliance requirements, smaller businesses could face fewer obstacles in regulatory adherence and more opportunities for growth within the telecommunications market.
Additionally, entities already operating within the 220 MHz band might see competitive advantages. By improving licensing frameworks, the FCC aims to enhance the operational potential of the 220 MHz service, opening new avenues for flexible and efficient service provision. This could attract new stakeholders, including business and government entities, keen to optimize radio service operations under a refined regulatory schema.
Financial Assessment
The document under review primarily refers to financial aspects in the context of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) operations concerning information collection. A key reference is made to the total annual cost, which is stated as $90,000. This figure likely encompasses expenses associated with managing and processing the information required under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) compliance, specifically for the 220 MHz Band regulations.
Summary of Financial References
The document mentions a total annual cost of $90,000. This cost is presumably connected to the broader efforts of the FCC to facilitate the effective licensing and operation of the 220-222 MHz Band, which requires compliance oversight and documentation. It reflects the monetary resources allocated to ensure adherence to regulations, communication with stakeholders, and processing of the related paperwork.
Relation to Identified Issues
One of the issues identified in the document is the lack of transparency regarding how the total annual cost of $90,000 is calculated. No detailed breakdown is provided in the current document, making it challenging for respondents and interested parties to understand precisely how these funds are used. This lack of specification can lead to questions about what activities or resources drive these costs, such as administrative labor, technology systems for data processing, or consulting services.
Moreover, while the financial reference highlights the cost burden, it does not explicitly detail how this spending impacts small businesses or entities with fewer than 25 employees. An analysis or breakdown of the allocation could help clarify if and how the financial burden is minimized for smaller respondents, which is another issue raised in the document. Addressing these aspects would align with the document's aim to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.
In conclusion, while the document provides a figure for the total annual cost, further details could enhance understanding and transparency. Identifying specific cost components associated with the information collection could help address concerns about economic efficiency and the impact on smaller business entities.
Issues
• The document references several specific sections of the FCC Rules (e.g., Sections 90.20(a)(1)(iii), 90.769), which may not be clear to those unfamiliar with FCC regulations. A brief summary or explanation of these sections could improve understanding.
• The 'Estimated Time per Response' range of 2 to 8 hours is quite broad and could be further clarified or narrowed to give a better expectation to respondents.
• The phrase 'obligation to respond' as 'required to obtain or retain benefits' might be unclear to some readers. Clarifying what benefits are at stake could enhance understanding.
• The 'Total Annual Cost' of $90,000 is stated without a breakdown of how this figure was calculated. Providing a breakdown could improve transparency and understanding.
• The language in the 'Needs and Uses' section regarding 'eliminates unnecessary regulatory burdens' is somewhat vague; specifying what types of burdens are eliminated would be helpful.