[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 11765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03935]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1212; FRS 17489]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collections. Comments are 
requested concerning: 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; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 
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; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject 
to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before April 27, 
2021. 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 PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email to 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1212.
    Title: SDARS Political Broadcasting Requirements.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1 respondent; 1 response.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement; On occasion 
reporting requirements; Third party disclosure requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority which covers this information collection is 
contained in 47 U.S.C. 309(a) and 307(a) of the Communications Act of 
1934, as amended.
    Total Annual Burden: 20 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Although the Commission does 
not believe that any confidential information will need to be disclosed 
in order to comply with the information collection requirements, 
applicants are free to request that materials or information submitted 
to the Commission be withheld from public inspection. (See 47 CFR 0.459 
of the Commission's Rules.)
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: In 1997, the Commission imposed political 
broadcasting requirements on Satellite Digital Audio Broadcasting 
Service (``SDARS'') licensees. See Establishment of Rules and Policies 
for the Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service in the 2310-2360 MHz 
Frequency Band, 12 FCC Rcd 5754, 5792, para. 92 (1997) (``1997 SDARS 
Order''), FCC 97-70. The Commission stated that SDARS licensees should 
comply with the same substantive political debate provisions as 
broadcasters: The federal candidate access provision (47 U.S.C. Section 
312(a)(7)) and the equal opportunities provision (47 U.S.C. Section 
315). The 1997 SDARS Order imposes the following requirements on SDARS 
licensees:
    Lowest Unit Charge: Similar to broadcasters, SDARS licensees must 
disclose any practices offered to commercial advertisers that enhance 
the value of advertising spots and different classes of time. SDARS 
licensees must also calculate the lowest unit charge and are required 
to review their advertising records throughout the election period to 
determine whether compliance with this rule section requires that 
candidates receive rebates or credits. See 47 CFR Section 73.1942.
    Political File: Similar to broadcasters, SDARS licensees must also 
keep and permit public inspection of a complete record (political file) 
of all requests for SDARS origination time made by or on behalf of 
candidates for public office, together with an appropriate notation 
showing the disposition made by the system 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 as soon as 
possible and maintained for a period of two years. See 47 CFR 73.1943.
    In 2016, the Commission expanded the requirement that public 
inspection files be posted to the FCC-hosted online public file 
database to SDARS licensees, among other entities. These public files 
include the political files.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-03935 Filed 2-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P