[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45319-45320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17249]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


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

July 20, 2004.
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 September 27, 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: 3060-0211.
    Title: Section 73.1943, Political File.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 16,759.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.25 hours (multiple broadcasts 
annually).
    Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; On occasion reporting 
requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 104,744 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 73.1943 requires licensees of broadcast 
stations

[[Page 45320]]

to keep and permit public inspection of a complete record (political 
file) of all requests for broadcast time made by or on behalf of 
candidates for public office, together with an appropriate notation 
showing the disposition made by the licensee of such requests and the 
charges made, if any, if the request is granted. The disposition 
includes the schedule of time purchased, when the spots actually aired, 
the rates charged, and the classes of time purchased. Also, when free 
time is provided for use by or on behalf of candidates, a record of the 
free time provided is to be placed in the political file. The public 
uses the data to assess the money expended and time allotted to a 
political candidate and to ensure that equal access is afforded to 
other qualified candidates.

    OMB Control Number: 3060-0501.
    Title: Section 76.206, Candidate Rates; Section 76.1611, Political 
Cable Rates and Classes of Time.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 5,375.
    Estimated Hours per Response: 0.5 to 10 hours.
    Frequency of Response: One time reporting requirement; third party 
disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 139,750 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: Section 315 of the Communications Act directs cable 
operators to charge political candidates the ``lowest unit charge of 
the station'' for the same class and amount of time for the same 
period, during the 45 days preceding a primary or runoff election and 
the 60 days preceding a general or special election.
    47 CFR 76.206 and 76.1611 require cable system operators to 
disclose and make available to candidates all discount privileges 
available to commercial advertisers. In addition, Sections 76.206 and 
76.1611 require cable systems to disclose any station 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. Section 76.206 also 
requires cable systems to calculate the lowest unit charge. 
Furthermore, cable systems are required to review their advertising 
records throughout the election period to determine whether compliance 
with this section requires that candidates receive rebates or credits.
    The disclosures assure candidates that they are receiving the same 
lowest unit charge as other commercial advertisers.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0502.
    Title: Section 73.1942, Candidate Rates.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 12,977.
    Estimated Hours per Response: 0.5 to 20 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; On occasion reporting 
requirement; Third party disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 733,201 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: Section 315(b) of the Communications Act directs 
broadcast stations to charge political candidates the ``lowest unit 
charge of the station'' for the same class and amount of time for the 
same period, during the 45 days preceding a primary or runoff election 
and the 60 days preceding a general or special election.
    47 CFR 73.1942 requires broadcast licensees to disclose and make 
available to candidates all discount privileges available to commercial 
advertisers. In addition, Section 73.1942 requires broadcast licensees 
to disclose any station 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). Section 73.1942 also requires licensees to 
calculate the lowest unit charge. Stations are also required to review 
their advertising records throughout the election period to determine 
whether compliance with this section requires that candidates receive 
rebates or credits.
    The disclosures assure candidates that they are receiving the same 
lowest unit charge as other commercial advertisers.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-17249 Filed 7-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P