[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 3639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00968]



[[Page 3639]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native 
Entities

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information 
collections, which help us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before March 19, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Arica Cox, Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Grants Management 
and Compliance, Office of internet Connectivity and Growth, National 
Telecommunication and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4826, Washington, DC 20230, 
or by email to [email protected]. Please reference ``Comment on 
Digital Equity Application Forms for Native Entities'' in the subject 
line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information 
or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Arica Cox, Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Grants Management and 
Compliance, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4826, Washington, DC 
20230, via email at [email protected] or via telephone at (202) 482-2048.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021 (``Infrastructure 
Act'' or ``Act''), which was adopted on November 15, 2021, and is also 
known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provided $65 billion of 
funding for programs to close the digital divide and ensure that all 
Americans have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. 
NTIA administers six broadband connectivity grant programs funded by 
the Act, including the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program 
(``Planning Grant Program'') and the State Digital Equity Capacity 
Grant Program (``Capacity Grant Program''). The Planning Grant Program 
provides federal funding for grants to eligible applicants for the 
purpose of developing Digital Equity Plans. Through these Plans, 
entities will, among other things, identify barriers to digital equity 
in the State and strategies for overcoming those barriers. The Capacity 
Grant Program will provide federal funding to eligible applicants for 
the purpose of implementing the State Digital Equity Plans and pursuing 
digital inclusion activities consistent with the State Digital Equity 
Plan. In addition, the Capacity Grant Program will provide new federal 
funding for grants to Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native 
Hawaiian organizations (``Native Entities'') to undertake digital 
equity planning activities and implement digital inclusion activities, 
consistent with the Planning Grant Program and the Capacity Grant 
Program.
    NTIA will use the information collected from each Native Entity 
applicant to effectively review the proposed applications and budgets 
of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations applying for funding under the Digital Equity Planning 
and Capacity Programs.

II. Method of Collection

    NTIA will collect data through both electronic and mail submission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0660-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): TBD.
    Type of Review: Regular submission for a new information 
collection.
    Affected Public: Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native 
Hawaiian organizations applying for Infrastructure Act Broadband Grant 
Program funding.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 475.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 16 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,760 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $264,207.80.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Sections 60304(c) and 60304(d) of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law 117-58, 135 
Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-00968 Filed 1-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P