Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: 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; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 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; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before June 13, 2016. 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 PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email to PRA@fcc.gov and to Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0384.

Title: Sections 64.901, 64.904 and 64.905, Auditor's Attestation and Certification.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 1 respondent, 1 response.

Estimated Time per Response: 5-250 hours.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority is contained in sections 1, 4, 201-205, 215, and 218-220 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 201-205, 215, and 218-220.

Frequency of Response: On-occasion, biennial, and annual reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 255 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $1,200,000.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Nature of Extent of Confidentiality: This collection does not address information of a confidential nature.

Needs and Uses: Section 64.904(a) states that each incumbent LEC required to file a cost allocation manual shall elect to either have an attest engagement performed by an independent auditor every two years, covering the prior two year period, or have a financial audit performed by an independent auditor biennially. In either case, the initial engagement shall be performed in the calendar year after the carrier is first required to file a cost allocation manual. See section 64.904(a)-(c). Instead of requiring mid-sized carriers to incur the expense of a biennial attestation engagement, they now file a certification with the Commission stating that they are in compliance with 47 CFR 64.901 of the Commission's rules, which sets out the rules regarding allocation of costs. The certification must be signed, under oath, by an officer of the incumbent LEC, and filed with the Commission on an annual basis. Such certification of compliance represents a less costly means of enforcing compliance with our cost allocation rules. See 47 CFR 64.905 of the Commission's rules. The requirements are imposed to ensure that the carriers are properly complying with Commission rules. They serve as an important aid in the Commission's monitoring program. Section 64.905 requires mid-sized LECs to file a certification with the Commission stating that they are complying with section 64.901. The certification must be signed, under oath, by an officer of the mid-sized LEC, and filed with the Commission on an annual basis at the time that the mid-sized incumbent LEC files the annual reports required by section 43.21(e)(2).