[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14495]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 0

[DA 99-823]


Freedom of Information Act

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This document amends the Commission's rules that implement the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) fee schedule. This amendment pertains 
to the charge for recovery of the full, allowable direct costs of 
searching for and reviewing records requested under the FOIA and the 
Commission's rules, unless such fees are restricted or waived in 
accordance with the rules. The fees are being revised to correspond to 
modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 12, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Boley, Freedom of Information Act 
Officer, Office of Performance Evaluation and Records Management, Room 
1-C-804, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418-0440 or via Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FCC is amending Sec. 0.467(a) of the 
Commission's Rules. This rule pertains to the charges for searching and 
reviewing records requested under the FOIA. The FOIA requires federal 
agencies to establish a schedule of fees for the processing of requests 
for agency records in accordance with fee guidelines 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 1987. 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.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.

Rule Changes

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR Part 0 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.

    2. Section 0.467 is amended by revising the table in paragraph 
(a)(1), its note, and paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec. 0.467  Search and review fees.

    (a)(1) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Grade                              Hourly fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1.......................................................         9.40
GS-2.......................................................        10.22
GS-3.......................................................        11.52
GS-4.......................................................        12.94
GS-5.......................................................        14.47
GS-6.......................................................        16.13
GS-7.......................................................        17.93
GS-8.......................................................        19.85
GS-9.......................................................        21.92
GS-10......................................................        24.14
GS-11......................................................        26.53
GS-12......................................................        29.80
GS-13......................................................        37.81
GS-14......................................................        44.69
GS-15......................................................        52.56
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: These fees 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 1999 and include 20 percent for personnel benefits.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 99-14495 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P