[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25860-25861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12409]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


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

April 29, 1998.

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.


[[Page 25861]]


DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before June 10, 1998. 
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 Les Smith, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via 
internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection(s), contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or 
via internet at [email protected].


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control No.: 3060-0501.
    Title: Section 76.206, Candidate Rates.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 10,750.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2-10 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Total Annual Burden to Respondents: 139,750 hours, calculated as 
follows: There are approximately 10,750 cable systems in the nation. We 
estimate that in any given year, candidates for public office will be 
interested in seeking origination cablecast time from approximately 
half of these systems (5,375). We estimate that these cable systems 
will be required to make the various advertising rate disclosures set 
forth in Section 76.206 to an average of 4 candidates. The average 
burden on systems to disclose this information is estimated to be .5 
hours per candidate, meaning 2 hours per cable system. 5,375 systems x 
2 hours = 10,750 hours. We estimate that each cable system will 
calculate its lowest unit charge semi-annually with an average burden 
of 10 hours per system. 5,375 systems x 2 calculations x 10 hours = 
107,500 hours. Systems are also required to periodically review their 
advertising records throughout the election period to determine whether 
compliance with Section 76.206 requires that candidates receive rebates 
or credits. We estimate that cable systems will review their records an 
average of 2 times throughout the election period, undergoing a burden 
of 2 hours per review. 5,375 systems x 2 reviews x 2 hours = 21,500 
hours.
    Total Annual Cost to Respondents: Postage and stationery costs 
associated with the various requirements contained in Section 76.206 
are estimated to be $5 per system. 5,375 systems x $5 = $26,875.
    Needs and Uses: On December 12, 1991, the Commission adopted Report 
and Order, FCC 91-403, MM Docket No. 91-168, in the matter of 
codification of the Commission's political programming policies. The 
Report and Order adopted affirmative disclosure requirements obliging 
cable television systems to disclose and make available to candidates 
all discount privileges available to commercial advertisers, including 
the lowest unit charge for the different classes of time sold. The 
Report and Order added Section 76.206 to the Commission's rules. 
Section 76.206 requires cable television systems to disclose any system 
practices offered to commercial advertisers that enhance the value of 
advertising spots and different classes of time (immediately 
preemptible, preemptible with notice, fixed, fire sale, and make good). 
It also requires cable systems to calculate the lowest unit charge. The 
disclosure requirements contained in Section 76.206 serve to ensure 
that cable system licensees provide timely, accurate and complete 
information on rates and sales practices to legally qualified 
candidates for public office who are interested in origination 
cablecasting.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-12409 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-F