FR 2025-07890

Summary of the Document

This document from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) outlines a request for public comments on information collections as part of an effort to reduce paperwork burdens. These collections are part of the Commission's compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. The FCC is seeking feedback on the necessity and practicality of these collections, their accuracy, and potential improvements. They emphasize minimizing the burden on small businesses and stress that no penalties will apply for failing to comply with non-validated collections. Comments are due by July 7, 2025.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One issue noted in the document is the unclear allocation of costs for some information collections. For instance, while the costs for some collections are specifically enumerated (such as $830,250 for a particular form), others are inexplicably listed as having no cost. This lack of detail can obscure the true financial impact on respondents.

Additionally, the estimated time commitments required for responses vary significantly. For example, the document notes that responses under one control number might take between 0.5 to 5 hours. Such a range may cause uncertainty for those engaging with the process.

The language used in this document leans heavily toward bureaucratic and legal jargon, which may pose challenges for understanding among those who are not well-versed in regulatory language.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, the request for public comments points towards an inclusive approach by the FCC to engage with various stakeholders in policymaking. By doing so, the FCC is likely attempting to ensure that the regulations and information collections in place are both relevant and efficient.

Nonetheless, the complexity and opacity issues could act as barriers for meaningful participation by the average citizen. If individuals and small businesses find the document difficult to comprehend, they might be less inclined to offer feedback or participate in the FCC's processes.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For small businesses, particularly those with fewer than 25 employees, this document indicates a commitment to minimizing their regulatory burden. However, without explicit strategies or examples of how automation and other methods could actually achieve this, stakeholders in these categories might remain sceptical about anticipated benefits.

Businesses and not-for-profit institutions required to fill out particular forms could face varied impacts depending on their size and capacity to manage paperwork. While those with more resources might respond comfortably, smaller or less-resourced entities might experience disproportionate struggles, especially given the wide variation in response times noted.

In conclusion, while the FCC appears well-intentioned in reducing burdens and engaging the public, the document's current formulation might impede transparent communication and effective engagement. Clearer explanations of cost allocations, response times, and actionable burden reduction strategies would enhance its utility and facilitation of public interaction.

The Federal Register document under review outlines several information collections by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and provides financial information for these initiatives. The primary focus is to solicit public comments on the collections' necessity, utility, and procedural efficiency while fulfilling the obligations set by the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Summary of Financial Allocations

Within the text, two specific financial references are made regarding the costs associated with these collections. For FCC Form 2100, Schedule 302-FM—FM Station License Application, there is a stated Total Annual Cost of $830,250. This cost is considerable and reflects the financial commitment associated with acquiring or modifying station licenses and notifying the Commission of facility changes.

In contrast, the collection under OMB Control Number 3060-0980, concerning the Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, is associated with a Total Annual Cost of $24,000. This expenditure is notably less, perhaps indicating a less resource-intensive process when dealing with local broadcast signal carriage and retransmission consent issues.

Financial Allocations and Their Relation to Identified Issues

One notable issue within the document is the lack of detail regarding how costs, such as the $830,250 for the FM Station License Application, are specifically allocated or justified. This vagueness can create ambiguity around the financial burden placed on respondents, particularly affecting how small businesses might perceive their ability to comply without excessive strain.

Additionally, the document mentions attempts to reduce paperwork burdens yet does not offer specific strategies on how automation or other methods could minimize these costs. Without detailing how financial resources are used to achieve this goal, it becomes less clear how the agency plans to address financial burdens effectively.

Furthermore, the wide variation in the estimated time per response, ranging from 0.5 to 5 hours for certain collections, hints at the complexity and potential cost implications of these processes. The lack of explicit details on why these ranges exist and how they correlate with financial allocations could add layers of misunderstanding regarding the actual effort and expense involved.

Overall, while the FCC provides specific annual cost estimates for some information collections, the document could benefit from more detailed explanations regarding financial allocations. This would offer greater clarity and transparency, aiding the public and stakeholders in understanding the practical and financial implications of these regulations.