02-26434. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

October 8, 2002.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) 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.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted on or before December 16, 2002. 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:

Direct all comments to Judith Boley Herman or Leslie Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C804 or Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [e-mail] or [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s), contact Judith Boley Herman at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0076.

Title: Annual Employment Report for Common Carriers.

Form No.: FCC Form 395.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 4,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting requirements, recordkeeping requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 4,000 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Needs and Uses: The Annual Employment Report is a data collection device for enforcement and assessment of the Commission's EEO rules. All common carrier licensees or permittees which sixteen (16) or more full-time employees are required to file this report and retain it for a two year period. The report identifies each carrier's staff by gender, race, color and/or national origin in each of nine major job categories. The information, in addition to being useful for our purposes, has also been used by public interest groups, NTIA, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Congress and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to assess progress in accordance with their particular objectives.

OMB Control No.: 3060-0859.

Title: Suggested Guidelines for Petitions for Ruling Under Section 253 of the Communications Act.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 80.

Estimated Time Per Response: 63 to 125 hours (average).

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 6,280 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Needs and Uses: The Commission's consideration of preemption begins with the filing of a petition by an aggrieved party. The petition is placed on public notice and commented on by others. The Commission's decision is based on the public record, generally composed of the petition and comments. The Commission has considered a number of preemption items since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and believes it in the public interest to inform the public of the information necessary to support its full consideration of the issues likely to be involved in preemption actions.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.