Notice of Public Information Collections Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collections Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

April 18, 1996.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications, 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 proposed

and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act 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 (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 Commissions

burden estimates; (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 comments should be submitted on or before May 28, 1996.

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.

ADDRESS: Direct all comments to Dorothy Conway, Federal Communications,

Room 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via internet to

[email protected] and Timothy Fain, OMB Desk Officer, 10236 NEOB 725 17th

Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collections contact Dorothy Conway at 202-418-0217

or via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0685.

Title: Annual Updating of Maximum Permitted Rates for Regulated

Cable Services.

Form No.: FCC Form 1240.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal

Governments.

Number of Respondents: 8,475. (5,475 cable operators and 3,000

local franchise authorities (``LFAs'').

Estimated Time Per Response: 1-15 hours.

Total Annual Burden: 88,459 hours. Burden for operators: We

estimate that 25% of operators will contract out the burden of filing

and that it will take 1 hour to coordinate information with those

contractors. The remaining 75% of operators are estimated to employ in

house staff to complete the filing. 1,369 filings (25% contracted out)

x 1 hour = 1,369 hours. 4,106 filings (75% in house) x 15 hours =

61,590 hours.

Additionally, 76.933(g)(2) states: If an LFA has taken no action

within the 90-day review period, then the proposed rates may go into

effect at the end of the review period, subject to a prospective rate

reduction and refund if the LFA subsequently issues a written decision

disapproving any portion of such rates. However, if an operator

inquires as to whether the LFA intends to issue a rate order after the

initial review period, the LFA or its designee must notify the operator

of its intent in this regard within 15 days of the operator's inquiry.

We estimate this will occur in 25% of the instances when Form 1240s

are filed by cable operators with their LFAs. 25% of 3,000 = 750

inquiries at an estimated 1 burden for each inquiry = 750 hours. Total

burden hours to operators = 1,369 + 61,590 + 750 = 63,709 hours.

Burden to LFAs: The Commission estimates there will be 3,000 FCC

Form 1240s filed with LFAs, annually. Average LFA reviewing time for

each FCC Form 1240 is estimated to be 8 hours. 3,000 x 8 hours = 24,000

burden hours.

Additionally, we estimate 750 responses to operator requests

pursuant to 76.933(g)(2). 750 notifications at an estimated 1 burden

hour for each notification = 750 hours. Total burden hours to LFAs =

(3,000 x 8 hrs.) + (750 x 1 hr.) = 24,750 hrs.

Total burden hours for all respondents = 63,799 + 24,750 = 88,549

hours.

Costs for Respondents: $2,084,450. We estimate an annual purchase

of 4,000 diskette versions of FCC Form 1240 @ $5 per diskette =

$20,000. Printing, photocopying and postage costs incurred by

respondents is estimated to be $2 per form (5,475 filings x $2) =

$10,950. We estimate Form 1240 assistance will be performed by legal

and accounting contractors at an average of $100/hour for 25% of the

filings. $100/hour x 1,369 filings (25% of Form 1240 filings) x 15

hours = $2,053,500

Total respondent costs: $20,000 + $10,950 + 2,053,500 = $2,084,450.

Needs and Uses: Cable operators submit FCC Form 1240 to their

respective LFAs upon certification to regulate basic service tier rates

and associated equipment; or with the Commission (in situations where

the Commission has assumed jurisdiction). The Form 1240 is also filed

with the Commission pursuant to the cable programming service tier rate

complaint process. The data will be used by the Commission and LFAs to

adjudicate permitted rates for regulated cable

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services and equipment, for the addition of new programming tiers and

to account for the addition and deletion of channels and the allowance

for pass through of external costs and costs due to inflation.

OMB Approval No.: 3060-0233.

Title: Part 36, Jurisdictional Separations Procedures.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of an existing collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 3,090.

Estimated Time Per Response: 20 hours.

Total Annual Burden: 61,800.

Costs to Respondents: There are no costs in addition to preparing

the information requested incurred by respondents.

Needs and Uses: Telephone companies are required to submit data

annually to the National Exchange Carrier Association for the filing of

access tariffs. State or local telephone companies who want to

participate in the federal assistance program must make certain

informational showings to demonstrate eligibility.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting. Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96-10298 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-F