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

January 28, 1999.

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 March 8, 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 Judy Boley, Federal Communications

Commission, Room 1-C804, 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 collection(s), contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or

via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0027.

Title: Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast

Station.

Form Number: FCC Form 301.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 1,550.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2--4 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third

party disclosure requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 3,120 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $17,217,350.

Needs and Uses: The Report and Order in MM Dockets 98-43 and 94-149

substantially revised the FCC Form 301 to facilitate electronic filing

by replacing narrative exhibits with the use of certifications and an

engineering technical block. The Commission also deleted and narrowed

overly burdensome questions. The FCC 301 will be supplemented with

detailed worksheets and instructions to explain processing standards

and rule interpretations to help ensure that applicants certify

accurately. These changes will reduce applicant filing burdens in the

preparation and submission of exhibits in support of applications. The

Commission has also adopted a formal program of pre-and post-

application grant random audits to preserve the integrity of our

streamlined application process.

In Report and Order, MM Docket 97-234, implemented provision of the

Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which expanded the Commission's competitive

bidding authority under Section 309(j) of the Communications Act of

1934. This R&O adopted competitive bidding procedures to award

construction permits in the commercial broadcast and secondary

broadcast services and amended application filing procedures for the

broadcast services to complement the competitive bidding process

including adopting filing windows for new and major changes in the

commercial broadcast services. This R&O eliminated the site and

financial certification questions on the FCC 301. It also added a

question which, if applicable, requires an exhibit setting forth the

terms and conditions, and the parties involved in any bidding

consortia; demonstrating eligibility for designated entity status; and

relevant ownership information related to the competitive bidding

process.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0031.

Title: Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station

Construction Permit or License.

Form Number: FCC Form 314.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit

institutions.

Number of Respondents: 1,375.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1-2 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third

party disclosure requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 2,220 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $9,567,250.

Needs and Uses: The Report and Order in MM Dockets 98-43 and 94-149

substantially revised the FCC Form 314 to facilitate electronic filing

by replacing narrative exhibits with the use of certifications. The

Commission also deleted and narrowed overly burdensome questions. The

FCC 314 will be supplemented with detailed worksheets and instructions

to explain processing standards and rule interpretations to help ensure

that applicants certify accurately. These changes will reduce applicant

filing burdens in the preparation and submission of exhibits in support

of applications. The Commission has also adopted a formal program of

pre- and post-application grant random audits to preserve the integrity

of our streamlined application process.

In Report and Order, MM Docket 97-234, implemented provision of the

Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which expanded the Commission's competitive

bidding authority under Section 309(j) of the Communications Act of

1934 and imposed reporting requirements concerning the transfer or

assignment of authorizations obtained through the competitive bidding

to the FCC 314. This collection also includes third party disclosure

requirement contained in Section 73.3580. This section requires local

public notice in a newspaper of general circulation of the filing of

all applications for assignment of license/permit. This notice must be

completed

[[Page 5804]]

within 30 days of the tendering of the application. This notice must be

published at least twice a week for two consecutive weeks in a three-

week period. A copy of this notice must be placed in the public

inspection file along with the application. Additionally, an applicant

for assignment of license must broadcast the same notice over the

station at least once daily on four days in the second week immediately

following the tendering for filing of the application.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-2700 Filed 2-4-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P