[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 55 (Thursday, March 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14985-14986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5408]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted for 
Review to the Office of Management and Budget; Comments Requested

March 11, 2008.
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, 44 U.S.C. Sections 3501-3520. 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; (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 Reductions Act (PRA) comments should be 
submitted on or before April 21, 2008. 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 FCC 
contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, Office of 
Management and Budget, via e-mail to [email protected] 
or via fax at (202) 395-5167 and to the Federal Communications 
Commission via e-mail to [email protected] or by U.S. mail to Leslie F. 
Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C216, 445 12th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20554 at 202-418-0217.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information contact 
Leslie F. Smith via e-mail at [email protected] or call 202-418-0217. To view 
a copy of this information collection request (ICR) submitted to OMB: 
(1) Go to the Web page http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/

[[Page 14986]]

PRAMain, (2) look for the section of the Web page called ``Currently 
Under Review,'' (3) click on the downward-pointing arrow in the 
``Select Agency'' box below the ``Currently Under Review'' heading, (4) 
select ``Federal Communications Commission'' from the list of agencies 
presented in the ``Select Agency'' box, (5) click the ``Submit'' button 
to the right of the ``Select Agency'' box, (6) when the list of FCC 
ICRs currently under review appears, look for the title of the ICR (or 
its OMB control number, if there is one) and then click on the ICR 
Reference Number to view detailed information about this ICR.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0774.
    Title: Universal Service Reporting, Disclosure, and Record 
Retention Requirements (47 CFR parts 36 and 54).
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, not-for-profit 
institutions, and state, local, or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 7,060,500 respondents; 7,631,034 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.084-125 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion, quarterly, annually, and five-
year reporting requirements; recordkeeping requirements; and third 
party disclosure requirements.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
    Total Annual Burden: 1,279,455 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $0.00.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impacts.
    Nature of Extent of Confidentiality: This collection does not 
address information of a confidential nature.
    Needs and Uses: The Telecommunication Act of 1996 (1996 Act) 
directed the Commission to initiate a rulemaking to reform the system 
of universal service so that universal service is preserved and 
advanced as markets move toward competition. To fulfill that mandate, 
on March 8, 1996, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) in CC Docket No. 96-45 to implement the congressional 
directives set out in section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended by the 1996 Act. Pursuant to section 254(a)(1), the NPRM also 
referred numerous issues related to universal service to a Federal-
State Joint Board for recommended decision. On November 8, 1996, the 
Joint Board released a Recommended Decision in which it made 
recommendations to assist and counsel the Commission in the creation of 
an effective universal service support mechanism that would ensure that 
the goals of affordable, quality service and access to advanced 
services are met by means that enhance competition. On November 18, 
1996, the Commission's Common Carrier Bureau released a Public Notice 
(DA 96-1891) seeking public comment on the issues addressed and 
recommendations made by the Joint Board in the Recommended Decision. In 
a Report and Order issued in CC Docket No. 96-45, released on May 8, 
1997, and other proceedings, the Commission adopted rules that were 
designed to implement the universal service provisions of section 254.
    On August 29, 2007, the Commission released the Report and Order, 
2007 Comprehensive Review of the Universal Service Fund Management, 
Administration and Oversight, WC Docket Nos. 05-195, 02-60, 03-109 and 
CC Docket Nos. 96-45, 02-6, 97-21, FCC 07-150. In this order, the 
Commission took several further steps to safeguard the Universal 
Service Fund from waste, fraud, and abuse, including imposing document 
retention rules on all universal service programs and program 
contributors.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-5408 Filed 3-19-08; 8:45 am]
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