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

December 18, 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, 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 January 28,

1999. 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

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

the Internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collections contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or via

the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0536.

Title: Rules and Requirements for Telecommunications Relay Services

(TRS) Interstate Cost Recovery.

Form Number: FCC Form 431.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 3.11 hours (avg.)

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements; Third

party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 15,593 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Needs and Uses: Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act,

Public Law 101-336, Section 401, 104 Stat. 327, 366-69 (codified at 47

U.S.C. Section 225 requires the Federal Communications Commission to

ensure that telecommunications relay services are available to persons

with hearing and speech disabilities in the United States. Among other

things, the Commission is required by 47 U.S.C. 225(d)(3) to enact and

oversee a shared-funding mechanism (TRS Fund) for recovering the costs

of providing interstate TRS. The Commissions' regulations concerning

the TRS Fund are codified at 47 C.F.R. 64.604(c)(4). Pursuant to these

regulations, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) has been

appointed

[[Page 71644]]

Administrator of the TRS Fund. The Commission's rules require all

carriers providing interstate telecommunication services to contribute

to the TRS Fund on an annual basis. Contributions are the product of

the carrier's gross interstate revenues for the previous year and a

contribution factor determined annual by the Commission. The collected

contributions are used to compensate TRS providers for the costs of

providing interstate TRS service. The Commission releases an order each

year approving the contribution factor, payment rate, and TRS Fund

Worksheet for the following year. Accordingly, on December 22, 1997,

the Commission's Common Carrier Bureau, acting under delegated

authority, released an order approving the contribution factor for the

April 1998 through March 1999 contribution period and the 1998 TRS Fund

Worksheet (FCC Form 431) and also making several revisions to the form.

The data in the report will be used to ensure that carriers properly

fund interstate TRS. All carriers providing interstate

telecommunications service must file this worksheet. Other

telecommunications carriers may voluntarily file this worksheet. The

requested information is used to administer the TRS Fund. Information

is used to calculate a national average to recover the total interstate

TRS revenue requirements and to determine the appropriate payment due

to the TRS providers participating in the shared-funding plan.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-34386 Filed 12-28-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P