96-7966. General Information; Modification of Commission's Rules

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14499-14500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7966]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 0

[DA 96-290]


General Information; Modification of Commission's Rules

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 Sec. 0.460(e) or 
Sec. 0.461 of the Commission's rules, unless such fees are restricted 
or waived in accordance with Sec. 0.470. The fees are being revised to 
correspond to modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 2, 1996.


[[Page 14500]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Boley, Freedom of Information Act 
Officer, Records Management Branch, Room 234, Federal Communications 
Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 418-
0210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FCC is modifying Section 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 guidance 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 
1996. The instant revisions correspond to modifications in the rate of 
pay recently approved by Congress.

Regulatory Procedures

    This 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 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.
Andrew S. Fishel,
Managing Director.

Amendatory Text

    Part 0 of chapter I 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: Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155, 
225, unless otherwise noted.

    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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                           Grade                              Hourly fee
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GS-1.......................................................         8.56
GS-2.......................................................         9.31
GS-3.......................................................        10.50
GS-4.......................................................        11.78
GS-5.......................................................        13.19
GS-6.......................................................        14.70
GS-7.......................................................        16.33
GS-8.......................................................        18.08
GS-9.......................................................        19.98
GS-10......................................................        22.00
GS-11......................................................        24.17
GS-12......................................................        28.97
GS-13......................................................        34.45
GS-14......................................................        40.72
GS-15......................................................       47.89 
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Note: The fees in this table 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 1996 and include 20 percent for personnel benefits.
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[FR Doc. 96-7966 Filed 4-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P