Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

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 March 25, 2024. 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 PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418–2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060–XXXX.

Title: Class A Television Stations—Low Power Protection Act.

Type of Review: New collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local or tribal governments.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 50 respondents and 250 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: One-time reporting requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 154(j), 303, 307, 309, 311, 336(f), and the Low Power Protection Act, Public Law 117–344, 136 Stat. 6193 (2023).

Total One-Time Burden: 250 hours.

Total One-Time Cost: No cost.

Needs and Uses: The Commission will use the information collected under this information collection to determine whether applicants can convert to Class A status pursuant to the Low Power Protection Act.

On December 11, 2023, the Commission adopted a Report and Order, FCC 23–112, to implement the Low Power Protection Act (LPPA or Act), which was enacted on January 5, 2023. The LPPA provides certain low power television (LPTV) stations with a limited window of opportunity to apply for primary spectrum use status as Class A television stations. The Report and Order establishes the period during which eligible stations may file applications for Class A status, eligibility and interference requirements, and the process for submitting applications.

The Report and Order adopts new rules 47 CFR 73.6030(c) and (d) which contain information collections. Section 73.6030(c) provides that applications for conversion to Class A status must be submitted using FCC Form 2100, Schedule F within one year beginning on the date on which the Commission issues notice that the rules implementing the Low Power Protection Act take effect. The licensee will be required to submit, as part of its application, a statement concerning the station's operating schedule during the 90 days preceding January 5, 2023 and a list of locally produced programs aired during that time period. The applicant may also submit other documentation, or may be requested by Commission staff to submit other documentation, to support its certification that the licensee meets the eligibility requirements for a Class A license under the Low Power Protection Act. Section 73.6030(d) provides that A Class A television broadcast license will only be issued under the Low Power Protection Act to a low power television licensee that files an application for a Class A Television license (FCC Form 2100, Schedule F), which is granted by the Commission.

Under this new information collection, the Commission will collect the information, disclosures, and certifications required by sections 73.6030(c) and (d) of the Commission's rules from each applicant seeking to convert to Class A status and will use the information, disclosures, and certifications to determine whether an applicant is qualified to convert to a Class A station. Without the information collected, the Commission will not be able to determine if an applicant is qualified to become a Class A station under the LPPA.

OMB Control No.: 3060–0928.

Title: FCC Form 2100, Application for Media Bureau Audio and Video Service Authorization, Schedule F (Formerly FCC 302–CA); 47 CFR 73.6028; Section 73.3700(b)(3); Section 73.3700(h)(2) and Section 73.3572(h).

Form No.: FCC Form 2100, Schedule F.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not for profit institutions; State, local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 115 respondents and 165 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and One time reporting requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority is contained in Statutory authority for the collection of information associated with the LPPA is contained in Sections 1, 2, 4(i), 4(j), 303, 307, 309, 311, and 336(f) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 154(j), 303, 307, 309, 311, 336(f) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the Low Power Protection Act, Public Law 117–344, 136 Stat. 6193 (2023).

Statutory authority for the collection of information associated with the CBPA is contained in Sections 154(i), 307, 308, 309, and 319 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999, and the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

Total Annual Burden: 460 hours.

Annual Cost Burden: $41,725.

Needs and Uses: The FCC Form 2100, Schedule F is used by Low Power TV (LPTV) stations that seek to convert to Class A status; existing Class A stations seeking a license to cover their authorized construction permit facilities; and Class A stations entering into a channel sharing agreement. The FCC Form 2100, Schedule F requires a series of certifications by the Class A applicant as prescribed by the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999 (CBPA). Licensees will be required to provide weekly announcements to their listeners: (1) informing them that the applicant has applied for a Class A license and (2) announcing the public's opportunity to comment on the application prior to Commission action.

On December 11, 2023, the Commission adopted a Report and Order, FCC 23–112, to implement the Low Power Protection Act (LPPA or Act), which was enacted on January 5, 2023. The LPPA provides certain low power television (LPTV) stations with a limited window of opportunity to apply for primary spectrum use status as Class A television stations. The Report and Order establishes the period during which eligible stations may file applications for Class A status, eligibility and interference requirements, and the process for submitting applications. The Report and Order provides that applications to convert to Class A status under the Low Power Protection Act must be filed using FCC Form 2100, Schedule F. The application form requires certifications by the applicant as prescribed by the LPPA. This submission is being made to OMB for approval of the modified FCC Form 2100, Schedule F. In addition, LPTV stations that file an application to convert to Class A status must provide local public notice of the filing of the application pursuant to 47 CFR 73.3580(c). Specifically, the station must both broadcast on-air announcements and give online notice. This submission also reflects the burden associated with that information collection and is also being made to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of that collection.