[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 68099-68100] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-31451] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval November 29, 1999. 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; [[Page 68100]] (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 January 5, 2000. 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 1-C804, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554 or via the 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 the Internet at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control No.: 3060-0161. Title: Section 73.61, AM Directional Antenna Field Strength Measurements. Form No.: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 1,890. Estimated Time Per Response: 4 hours. Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement. Total Annual Burden: 36,020 hours. Total Annual Cost: 0. Needs and Uses: Section 73.61 requires that each AM station using directional antennas make field strength measurements as often as necessary to insure proper directional antenna system operation. Stations not having approved sampling systems make field strength measurements every three months. Stations with approved sampling systems must make field strength measurements as often as necessary. Also, all AM stations using directional antennas must make partial proofs of performance as often as necessary. The data is used by FCC staff in field inspections/investigations and by AM licensees with directional antennas to ensure that adequate interference protection is maintained between stations and to ensure that such experimentation will not cause interference to other stations. OMB Control No.: 3060-0212. Title: Section 73.2080, Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Form No.: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions. Number of Respondents: 16,251. Estimated Time Per Response: 52 hours per year. Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement. Total Annual Burden: 845,052 hours. Total Annual Cost: 0. Needs and Uses: Section 73.2080 provides that equal opportunity in employment shall be afforded by all broadcast stations to all qualified persons and no person shall be discriminated against in employment by such stations because of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Section 73.2080 requires that each broadcast station shall establish, maintain, and carry out a program to assure equal opportunity in every aspect of a broadcast station's policy and practice. This section incorporates specific EEO program requirements and general guidelines for meeting those requirements. These guidelines are not intended to be either exclusive or inclusive but simply to provide guidance. This program will provide an appropriate and effective means of informing broadcasters, individuals employed or seeking employment by broadcast stations of its EEO requirements. The Commission has suspended the enforcement of Section 73.2080(b) and (c) due to the decision in Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod v. FCC, wherein the Court of Appeals held that the EEO program requirements of this section were unconstitutional. The enforcement of these requirements is suspended until the Commission revises the EEO rules to be consistent with the Court of Appeals Luther Church decision. The Commission will make such adjustments to the rule as necessary to conform to the Lutheran Church decision consistent with the record in the rulemaking. Until such times the Commission reaches a decision in the outstanding Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning the Court of Appeals Lutheran Church decision, Section 73.2080 needs to retain its current OMB control number. We note that Section 73.2080(a) remains in effect. The data will be used by a broadcast licensee in the preparation of the stations' Broadcast Annual Employment Report (FCC Form 395-B) that is submitted annually and the station's EEO Program (FCC Form 396) submitted with the license renewal application. If this information were not maintained, there could be no assurance that licensees are complying with the EEO rule. The Commission has suspended the filing of these forms until such time as the Commission reaches a decision in the outstanding NPRM. Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-31451 Filed 12-3-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-U