[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36284-36285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17526]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for 
Review and Approval

June 23, 1997.
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 August 6, 
1997. 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 Judy Boley, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via 
internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection(s) contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or 
via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    OMB Approval Number: 3060-0565.
    Title: Section 76.944 Commission review of franchising authority 
decisions on rates for the basic service tier and associated equipment.
    Type of Review: Extension of existing collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit; state and local 
governments.
    Number of Respondents: 300. (150 cable operators+150 LFAs).
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2-30 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 5,400 hours estimated as follows: We estimate 
that approximately 150 appeals are filed annually. For all aspects of 
the filing process (including appeals, oppositions and replies), we 
estimate that cable operators spend an average of 30 hours on each 
filing and that local franchising authorities spend an average of 20 
hours on each filing. We estimate that cable operators will use in-
house legal staff to file requests for appeals approximately 50% of the 
time, therefore using outside legal assistance 50% of the time. When 
using outside legal assistance, operators are estimated to undergo a 
burden of 2 hours per filing to coordinate information with the outside 
legal assistance. 75 cable operators x 30 hours for in-house 
filings=2,250. 75 cable operators x 2 hours for filings done by outside 
legal assistance=150. 150 LFAs x 20 hours for each filing=3,000. Total 
burden=2,250+150+3,000=5,400 hours.
    Cost to Respondents: We estimate the postage and stationery costs 
incurred by parties for appeal case to be $10 per party ($20 per case). 
150 x $20=$3,000. We estimate that cable operators contracting out 
legal assistance will pay $150 per hour for the assistance. 75 cable 
operators paying outside legal

[[Page 36285]]

assistance at $150 per hour at 30 hours per filing=$337,500. Total 
annual costs to respondents = $3,000+$337,500 = $340,500.
    Needs and Uses: The information is reviewed by the Commission to 
ensure that franchising authority decisions regarding cable rates are 
consistent with the provisions of the Cable Television Consumer 
Protection and Competition Act of 1992 and the Commission's rules 
regarding cable rate regulation. Commission review of appeals is 
necessary to ensure uniformity of interpretation of these federal 
guidelines.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-17526 Filed 7-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P