2011-30120. Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission for Extension 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 of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Federal Communications Commission invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s). 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; (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; and (e) ways to further reduce the information burden for 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number.

DATES:

Persons wishing to comment on this information collection should submit comments January 23, 2012. 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 Nicolas A. Fraser, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), via fax at [phone], or via the Internet at [e-mail], and to [e-mail], Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To submit your comments by email send them to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection(s), contact Judith B. Herman at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-1124.

Title: Section 80.231, Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) Equipment.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 20 respondents; 20 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 47 U.S.C. sections 151 through 155 and 301-309.

Total Annual Burden: 20 hours.

Annual Cost Burden: $28,000.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

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

Needs and Uses: The Commission is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for an extension of this information collection (no change in the reporting requirements and/or third party disclosure requirements). The Commission will submit this information collection after this 60 day comment period. There is no change in the Commission's previous burden estimates.

Section 80.231 requires that manufacturers of Class B Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) transmitters for the Marine Radio Service include with each transmitting device a statement explaining how to enter static information accurately and a warning statement that entering inaccurate information is prohibited. Specifically, this rule section requires that manufacturers of AIS transmitters label each transmitting device with the following statement:

WARNNING: It is a violation of the rules of the Federal Communications Commission to input a MMSI that has not been properly assigned to an end user, or to otherwise input any inaccurate data in this device.

Additionally, prior to submitting a certification application (FCC Form 731, OMB Control Number 3060-0057) for a Class B AIS device, the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (CG-521), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001:

(1) The name of the manufacturer or grantee and the model number of the AIS device; and

(2) Copies of the test report and test data obtained from the test facility showing that the device complies with the environmental and operational requirements identified in IEC 62287-1.

After reviewing the information described in the certification application, the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the AIS device satisfies all of the requirements specified in IEC 62287-1. A certification application for an AIS device submitted to the Commission must contain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard letter stating that the device satisfies all of the requirements specified in IEC 62287-1, a copy of the technical data and the instruction manual(s).

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing Director.