97-21116. Freedom of Information Act

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42928-42929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21116]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 0

[DA 97-1505]


Freedom of Information Act

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission is modifying a section 
of the Commission's rules that implements the Freedom of Information 
Act (FOIA) fee schedule. This modification pertains to the charge for 
recovery of the full, allowable direct costs of searching for and 
reviewing records requested under the FOIA and the Commission's rules, 
unless such fees are restricted or waived. The fees are being revised 
to correspond to modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 10, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Judy Boley, Freedom of Information Act 
Officer, Office of Performance Evaluation and Records Management, Room 
234, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20554, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FCC is modifying Sec. 0.467(a) of the 
Commission's rules. This rule pertains to the charges for searching and 
reviewing records requested under the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA). The FOIA requires federal agencies to establish a schedule of 
fees for the processing of requests for agency records in accordance 
with fee guidelines issued by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). In 1987, OMB issued its Uniform Freedom of Information Act Fee 
Schedule and Guidelines. However, because the FOIA requires that each 
agency's fees be based upon its direct costs of providing FOIA 
services, OMB did not provide a unitary, government-wide schedule of 
fees. The Commission based its FOIA fee schedule on the grade level of 
the employee who processes the request. Thus, the fee schedule was 
computed at a Step 5 of each grade level based on the General Schedule 
effected January 1997. The instant revisions correspond to 
modifications in the rate of pay recently approved by Congress.

Regulatory Procedures

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order No. 12866 
and has been determined not to be a ``significant rule'' since it will 
not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.
    In addition, it has been determined that this final rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 0

    Freedom of information.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Rule Changes

    Part 0 of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as 
follows:

PART 0--COMMISSION ORGANIZATION

    1. The authority citation for part 0 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 155, 255, unless otherwise noted.


[[Page 42929]]


    2. Section 0.467 is amended by revising the table in paragraph 
(a)(1) and its note, and paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec. 0.467  Search and review fees.

    (a)(1) * * *

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                                                                 Hourly 
                             Grade                                 fee  
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GS-1..........................................................      8.84
GS-2..........................................................      9.62
GS-3..........................................................     10.85
GS-4..........................................................     12.18
GS-5..........................................................     13.62
GS-6..........................................................     15.09
GS-7..........................................................     16.87
GS-8..........................................................     18.70
GS-9..........................................................     20.64
GS-10.........................................................     22.74
GS-11.........................................................     24.98
GS-12.........................................................     29.94
GS-13.........................................................     35.60
GS-14.........................................................     42.07
GS-15.........................................................     49.49
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    Note: These fees will be modified periodically to correspond 
with modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress.

    (2) The fees in paragraph (a)(1) of this section were computed at 
step 5 of each grade level based on the General Schedule effective 
January 1997 and include 20 percent for personnel benefits.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-21116 Filed 8-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P