[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 75558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32111]


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

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

December 18, 2003.
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 (PRA) 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 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be 
submitted on or before March 1, 2004. 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments to Les 
Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 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 Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 
or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0761.
    Title: Closed Captioning of Video Programming.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities; and 
individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 1,425.
    Estimate Time per Response: 30 mins. to 5 hrs.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; third 
party disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 2,013 hours.
    Total Annual Costs: $19,000.
    Needs and Uses: The FCC's Report and Order, MM Docket No. 95-176, 
FCC 97-279, adopted rules and implementation schedules for the closed 
captioning of video programming, pursuant to section 305 of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996, which added Section 713, Video 
Programming Accessibility, to the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended. The requirements set forth in section 713 are intended to 
ensure that video programming is accessible to individuals with hearing 
disabilities through close captioning, regardless of the delivery 
mechanism used to reach consumers. Pursuant to section 713, the FCC 
established phase-in schedules to increase the amount of closed 
captioned programming. The rules also provided procedures for entities 
to use to request exemptions of the closed captioning requirements 
based on an undue burden standard. Furthermore, they detailed a 
complaint process for viewers to use for the enforcement of closed 
captioning requirements.

    Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-32111 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-10-P