2011-20314. 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 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 October 11, 2011. 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 202-395-5167, or via the Internet at [e-mail], and to [e-mail], Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To submit your comments by e-mail send them to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection(s), contact Judith B. Herman at 202-418-0214.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0204.

Title: Section 90.20(a)(2)(v) and 90.20(a)(2)(xi), Special Eligibility Showings for Authorizations in the Public Safety Pool.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Individuals or households and business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 220 respondents; 220 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: .7045454 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 47 U.S.C. sections 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r) and 332(c)(7).

Total Annual Burden: 155 hours.

Annual Cost Burden: N/A.

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). The Commission will submit this information collection after this 60 day comment period. The Commission has adjusted the total burden hours from 151 to 155 because the hours per response for section 90.20(a)(2)(v) is now estimated at 15 minutes per response. Previously the estimate was three minutes.

Section 90.20(a)(2)(v) provides that persons claiming eligibility in the Special Emergency Radio Service on the basis of being physically handicapped must present a physician's statement indicating that they are handicapped. Submission of this information is necessary to ensure that frequencies reserved for licensing to handicapped individuals are not licensed to non-handicapped persons.

Section 90.20(a)(2)(xi) is necessary to determine if communications common carrier applicants requesting frequencies for use as standby facilities for communications related to safety of life and public property is necessary for such purposes.

Specifically, Section 90.20(a)(2)(xi) states: “A communications common carrier operating communications circuits that normally carry essential communication of such nature that their disruption would endanger life or public property is eligible to hold authorizations for standby radio facilities for the transmission of messages only during periods when the normal circuits are inoperative due to circumstances beyond the control of the user. During such periods the radio facilities may be used to transmit any communication which would be carried by the regular circuit. Initial applications for authorization to operate a standby radio facility must include a statement describing radio communications facilities desired, the proposed method of operation, a description of the messages normally being carried, and an explanation of how their disruption will endanger life or public property.”

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

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