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

April 29, 1998.

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.

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DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before June 10, 1998.

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 Les Smith, Federal Communications

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

internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collection(s), contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or

via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0501.

Title: Section 76.206, Candidate Rates.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 10,750.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2-10 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Total Annual Burden to Respondents: 139,750 hours, calculated as

follows: There are approximately 10,750 cable systems in the nation. We

estimate that in any given year, candidates for public office will be

interested in seeking origination cablecast time from approximately

half of these systems (5,375). We estimate that these cable systems

will be required to make the various advertising rate disclosures set

forth in Section 76.206 to an average of 4 candidates. The average

burden on systems to disclose this information is estimated to be .5

hours per candidate, meaning 2 hours per cable system. 5,375 systems x

2 hours = 10,750 hours. We estimate that each cable system will

calculate its lowest unit charge semi-annually with an average burden

of 10 hours per system. 5,375 systems x 2 calculations x 10 hours =

107,500 hours. Systems are also required to periodically review their

advertising records throughout the election period to determine whether

compliance with Section 76.206 requires that candidates receive rebates

or credits. We estimate that cable systems will review their records an

average of 2 times throughout the election period, undergoing a burden

of 2 hours per review. 5,375 systems x 2 reviews x 2 hours = 21,500

hours.

Total Annual Cost to Respondents: Postage and stationery costs

associated with the various requirements contained in Section 76.206

are estimated to be $5 per system. 5,375 systems x $5 = $26,875.

Needs and Uses: On December 12, 1991, the Commission adopted Report

and Order, FCC 91-403, MM Docket No. 91-168, in the matter of

codification of the Commission's political programming policies. The

Report and Order adopted affirmative disclosure requirements obliging

cable television systems to disclose and make available to candidates

all discount privileges available to commercial advertisers, including

the lowest unit charge for the different classes of time sold. The

Report and Order added Section 76.206 to the Commission's rules.

Section 76.206 requires cable television systems to disclose any system

practices offered to commercial advertisers that enhance the value of

advertising spots and different classes of time (immediately

preemptible, preemptible with notice, fixed, fire sale, and make good).

It also requires cable systems to calculate the lowest unit charge. The

disclosure requirements contained in Section 76.206 serve to ensure

that cable system licensees provide timely, accurate and complete

information on rates and sales practices to legally qualified

candidates for public office who are interested in origination

cablecasting.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-12409 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-F