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, 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 April 8, 2022. 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 Cathy Williams, FCC, via email to PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0084.

Title: Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Stations, FCC Form 323-E; Section 73.3615, Ownership Reports.

Form Number: FCC Form 323-E.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 2,636 respondents; 2,636 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 to 1.5 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; biennial reporting requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for these collections are contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a), 154(i), 257, 303(r), 307, 308, 309, and 310.

Total Annual Burden: 3,867 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $2,319,900.

Needs and Uses: Licensees of noncommercial educational AM, FM, and television broadcast stations must file FCC Form 323-E every two years. Biennial Ownership Reports shall provide information accurate as of October 1 of the year in which the Report is filed. Form 323-E shall be filed by December 1 in all odd-numbered years.

In addition, Licensees and Permittees of noncommercial educational AM, FM, and television broadcast stations must file Form 323-E following the consummation of a transfer of control or an assignment of a noncommercial educational AM, FM, or television broadcast station license or construction permit; a Permittee of a new noncommercial educational AM, FM, or television broadcast station must file Form 323-E within 30 days after the grant of the construction permit; and a Permittee of a new noncommercial educational AM, FM, or television broadcast station must file Form 323-E to update the initial report or to certify the continuing accuracy and completeness of the previously filed report on the date that the Permittee applies for a license to cover the construction permit.

In the case of organizational structures that include holding companies or other forms of indirect ownership, a separate Form 323-E must be filed for each entity in the organizational structure that has an attributable interest in the Licensee or Permittee.