2015-01156. Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), 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.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before March 24, 2015. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your PRA comments to Benish Shah, Federal Communications Commission, via the Internet at [e-mail]. To submit your PRA comments by email send them to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Benish Shah, Office of Managing Director, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-1122.

Title: Preparation of Annual Reports to Congress for the Collection & Expenditure of Fees or Charges for Enhanced 911 (E911) Services under the NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.

Form No.: Not applicable.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 56 respondents; 56 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 55 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Voluntary. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. Sections 201(b), 219(b) and 220 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Total Annual Burden: 3,080 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality.

Needs and Uses: The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is directed by statute (New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-283, 122 Stat. 2620 (2008) (NET 911 Act)) to submit an annual “Fee Accountability Report” to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representative “detailing the status in each State of the collection and distribution [of] fees or charges” for “the support or implementation of 911 or enhanced 911 services,” including “findings on the amount of revenues obligated or expended by each State or political subdivision thereof for any purpose other than the purpose for which any such fees or charges are specified.” (NET 911 Act, 122 Stat. at 2622) The statute directs the Commission to submit its first annual report within one year after the date of enactment of the NET 911 Act. Given that the NET 911 Act was enacted on July 23, 2008, the first annual report was due to Congress on July 22, 2009.

Description of Information Collection: The Commission will collect information for the annual preparation of the Fee Accountability Report via a web-based survey that appropriate State officials (e.g., State 911 Administrators and Budget Officials) will be able to access to submit data pertaining to the collection and distribution of fees or charges for the support or implementation of 911 or enhanced 911 services, including data regarding whether their respective state collects and distributes such fees or charges, the nature (e.g., amount and method of assessment or collection) and the amount of revenues obligated or expended for any purpose other than the purpose for which any such 911 or enhanced 911 service fees or charges are specified. Consistent with Sections 6(f) of the NET 911 Act, the Commission will request that state officials report this information with respect to the fees and charges in connection with implementation of 911 or E-911 services within their state, including any political subdivision, Indian tribe and/or village and regional corporation serving any region established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act that otherwise lie within their state boundaries. In addition, consistent with the definition of “State” set out in Section 3(40) of the Communications Act, the Commission will collect this information from, states as well as the District of Columbia and the inhabited U.S. Territories and possessions.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.