[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18597-18598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10298]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collections Submitted to OMB for 
Review and Approval

April 18, 1996.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications, 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 proposed 
and/or continuing information collections, 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 Commissions 
burden estimates; (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 May 28, 1996. 
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.

ADDRESS: Direct all comments to Dorothy Conway, Federal Communications, 
Room 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via internet to 
[email protected] and Timothy Fain, OMB Desk Officer, 10236 NEOB 725 17th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collections contact Dorothy Conway at 202-418-0217 
or via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0685.
    Title: Annual Updating of Maximum Permitted Rates for Regulated 
Cable Services.
    Form No.: FCC Form 1240.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal 
Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 8,475. (5,475 cable operators and 3,000 
local franchise authorities (``LFAs'').
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1-15 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 88,459 hours. Burden for operators: We 
estimate that 25% of operators will contract out the burden of filing 
and that it will take 1 hour to coordinate information with those 
contractors. The remaining 75% of operators are estimated to employ in 
house staff to complete the filing. 1,369 filings (25% contracted out) 
x 1 hour = 1,369 hours. 4,106 filings (75% in house) x 15 hours = 
61,590 hours.
    Additionally, 76.933(g)(2) states: If an LFA has taken no action 
within the 90-day review period, then the proposed rates may go into 
effect at the end of the review period, subject to a prospective rate 
reduction and refund if the LFA subsequently issues a written decision 
disapproving any portion of such rates. However, if an operator 
inquires as to whether the LFA intends to issue a rate order after the 
initial review period, the LFA or its designee must notify the operator 
of its intent in this regard within 15 days of the operator's inquiry.
    We estimate this will occur in 25% of the instances when Form 1240s 
are filed by cable operators with their LFAs. 25% of 3,000 = 750 
inquiries at an estimated 1 burden for each inquiry = 750 hours. Total 
burden hours to operators = 1,369 + 61,590 + 750 = 63,709 hours.
    Burden to LFAs: The Commission estimates there will be 3,000 FCC 
Form 1240s filed with LFAs, annually. Average LFA reviewing time for 
each FCC Form 1240 is estimated to be 8 hours. 3,000 x 8 hours = 24,000 
burden hours.
    Additionally, we estimate 750 responses to operator requests 
pursuant to 76.933(g)(2). 750 notifications at an estimated 1 burden 
hour for each notification = 750 hours. Total burden hours to LFAs = 
(3,000 x 8 hrs.) + (750 x 1 hr.) = 24,750 hrs.
    Total burden hours for all respondents = 63,799 + 24,750 = 88,549 
hours.
    Costs for Respondents: $2,084,450. We estimate an annual purchase 
of 4,000 diskette versions of FCC Form 1240 @ $5 per diskette = 
$20,000. Printing, photocopying and postage costs incurred by 
respondents is estimated to be $2 per form (5,475 filings x $2) = 
$10,950. We estimate Form 1240 assistance will be performed by legal 
and accounting contractors at an average of $100/hour for 25% of the 
filings. $100/hour x 1,369 filings (25% of Form 1240 filings) x 15 
hours = $2,053,500
    Total respondent costs: $20,000 + $10,950 + 2,053,500 = $2,084,450.
    Needs and Uses: Cable operators submit FCC Form 1240 to their 
respective LFAs upon certification to regulate basic service tier rates 
and associated equipment; or with the Commission (in situations where 
the Commission has assumed jurisdiction). The Form 1240 is also filed 
with the Commission pursuant to the cable programming service tier rate 
complaint process. The data will be used by the Commission and LFAs to 
adjudicate permitted rates for regulated cable

[[Page 18598]]

services and equipment, for the addition of new programming tiers and 
to account for the addition and deletion of channels and the allowance 
for pass through of external costs and costs due to inflation.

OMB Approval No.: 3060-0233.
    Title: Part 36, Jurisdictional Separations Procedures.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of an existing collection.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 3,090.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 61,800.
    Costs to Respondents: There are no costs in addition to preparing 
the information requested incurred by respondents.
    Needs and Uses: Telephone companies are required to submit data 
annually to the National Exchange Carrier Association for the filing of 
access tariffs. State or local telephone companies who want to 
participate in the federal assistance program must make certain 
informational showings to demonstrate eligibility.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting. Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-10298 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-F