[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13745-13746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6322]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR PART 0

[DA 04-683]


Freedom of Information Act

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission is modifying a section 
of the Commission's rules that implements the Freedom of Information 
Act (FOIA) Fee Schedule. This modification 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. The fees are being revised 
to correspond to modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress.

Dates:  Effective March 24, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shoko B. Hair, Freedom of Information 
Act Officer, Office of Performance Evaluation and Records Management, 
Room 1-A827, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418-1379 or via Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Communications Commission is 
modifying 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 
effective January 1987 (including 20 percent for personnel benefits). 
The Commission's rules provide that the Fee Schedule will be modified 
periodically to correspond with modifications in the rate of pay 
approved by Congress. See 47 CFR 0.467(a)(1) note.
    In an Order adopted on March 10, 2004 and released on March 15, 
2004 (DA 04-683), the Managing Director revised the schedule of fees 
set forth in 47 CFR 0.467 for the recovery of the full, allowable 
direct costs of searching for and reviewing agency records requested 
pursuant to the FOIA and the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.460, 0.461. 
The revisions correspond to modifications in the rate of pay, which was 
approved by Congress.
    These modifications to the Fee Schedule do not require notice and 
comment because they merely update the Fee Schedule to correspond to 
modifications in rates of pay, as required under the current rules.
    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority contained in Sec.  0.231(b) 
of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.231(b), it is hereby ordered, that, 
effective on March 24, 2004, the Fee Schedule contained in Sec.  0.467 
of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.467, is amended, as described 
herein.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 0

    Freedom of information.


[[Page 13746]]


Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
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

0
1. The authority citation for part 0 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 155, unless otherwise noted.

0
2. Section 0.467 is amended by revising the last sentence, the table in 
paragraph (a)(1) and its note, and paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  0.467  Search and review fees.

    (a)(1) * * * The fee is based on the grade level of the employee(s) 
who conduct(s) the search or review, as specified in the following 
schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Grade                              Hourly fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-1.......................................................        11.66
GS-2.......................................................        12.71
GS-3.......................................................        14.32
GS-4.......................................................        16.07
GS-5.......................................................        17.99
GS-6.......................................................        20.05
GS-7.......................................................        22.27
GS-8.......................................................        24.67
GS-9.......................................................        27.25
GS-10......................................................        30.01
GS-11......................................................        32.96
GS-12......................................................        39.52
GS-13......................................................        46.99
GS-14......................................................        55.52
GS-15......................................................        65.32
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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 2004 and include 20 percent for personnel benefits.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 04-6322 Filed 3-23-04; 8:45 am]
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