Notice of Public Information Collections being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collections being Reviewed by the

Federal Communications Commission

January 12, 1998.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commissions, 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, Pub. L. 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 March 22,

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

Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, 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: 3060-0010.

Title: Ownership Report.

Form Number: FCC 323.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 10,020.

Estimated Hours Per Response: 0.5 to 1.0 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annually; On occasion reporting

requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 9,106 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $10,258,410.

Needs and Uses: Each permittee of a commercial AM, FM, TV, and

international broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report (FCC

Form 323) within 30 days of the date of grant by the FCC of an

application for an original construction permit or the consummation,

pursuant to Commission consent, of a transfer of control or an

assignment of license. A permittee is also required to file another

report or to certify that it has reviewed its current Report on file

and that it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new report, when the

permittee applies for a station license. Each licensee of a commercial

AM, FM, and TV broadcast station shall file an Ownership Report (FCC

Form 323) annually. Each licensee with a current and unamended Report

on file at the Commission may certify that it has reviewed its current

Report and that it is accurate, in lieu of filing a new Report. The

data is used by FCC staff to determine whether the licensee/permittee

is abiding by the multiple ownership requirements as set down by the

Commission's Rules and is in compliance with the Communications Act. In

addition, the data will allow the Commission to determine accurately

the current state of minority and female ownership of broadcast

facilities.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0754.

Title: Children's Television Programming Report.

Form Number: FCC 398.

Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

[[Page 3298]]

Number of Respondents: 1,215.

Estimated hours per response: 4.5 hours.

Frequency of Response: Quarterly recordkeeping; Annual reporting

requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 21,870 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $480,800.

Needs and Uses: The FCC 398 is required to be filed by commercial

television broadcast stations. This form is used to provide information

on the efforts of commercial television stations to provide children's

educational and informational programs aired to meet its obligation

under the Children's Television Act of 1990 (CTA). This form also

requests information on educational and informational programs that the

station plans to air in the next quarter. Each licensee is required to

place in its public inspection file quarterly a Children's Television

Programming Report and to file the quarterly forms annually with the

Commission. Commercial television broadcast station licensees will be

required to file the FCC 398 electronically with the January 10, 1999

annual filing. The FCC 398 will assist in efforts by the public and the

Commission to monitor station compliance with the CTA.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-1274 Filed 1-20-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P