Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

June 23, 1997.

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, 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 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 comments should be submitted on or before August 6,

1997. 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 comments to Judy Boley, Federal Communications

Commission, Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via

internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collection(s) contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or

via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0565.

Title: Section 76.944 Commission review of franchising authority

decisions on rates for the basic service tier and associated equipment.

Type of Review: Extension of existing collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit; state and local

governments.

Number of Respondents: 300. (150 cable operators+150 LFAs).

Estimated Time Per Response: 2-30 hours.

Total Annual Burden: 5,400 hours estimated as follows: We estimate

that approximately 150 appeals are filed annually. For all aspects of

the filing process (including appeals, oppositions and replies), we

estimate that cable operators spend an average of 30 hours on each

filing and that local franchising authorities spend an average of 20

hours on each filing. We estimate that cable operators will use in-

house legal staff to file requests for appeals approximately 50% of the

time, therefore using outside legal assistance 50% of the time. When

using outside legal assistance, operators are estimated to undergo a

burden of 2 hours per filing to coordinate information with the outside

legal assistance. 75 cable operators x 30 hours for in-house

filings=2,250. 75 cable operators x 2 hours for filings done by outside

legal assistance=150. 150 LFAs x 20 hours for each filing=3,000. Total

burden=2,250+150+3,000=5,400 hours.

Cost to Respondents: We estimate the postage and stationery costs

incurred by parties for appeal case to be $10 per party ($20 per case).

150 x $20=$3,000. We estimate that cable operators contracting out

legal assistance will pay $150 per hour for the assistance. 75 cable

operators paying outside legal

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assistance at $150 per hour at 30 hours per filing=$337,500. Total

annual costs to respondents = $3,000+$337,500 = $340,500.

Needs and Uses: The information is reviewed by the Commission to

ensure that franchising authority decisions regarding cable rates are

consistent with the provisions of the Cable Television Consumer

Protection and Competition Act of 1992 and the Commission's rules

regarding cable rate regulation. Commission review of appeals is

necessary to ensure uniformity of interpretation of these federal

guidelines.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97-17526 Filed 7-3-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P