Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

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 19, 2005. 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 Cathy Williams, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C823, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov or Kristy L. LaLonde, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Room 10236 NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-3087 or via the Internet at Kristy_L._LaLonde@omb.eop.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copy of the information collection(s) contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918 or via the Internet at Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0316.

Title: Sections 76.1700, Records To Be Maintained Locally by Cable System Operators, 76.1703, Commercial Records on Children's Program; 76.1704, Proof-of-Performance Test Data; 76.1707, Leased Access, and 76.1711, Emergency Alert System (EAS) Tests and Activation.

Form Number: Not Applicable.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 4,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 26 hours.

Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 104,000 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 76.1700 exempts cable television systems having fewer than 1,000 subscribers from the public inspection requirements contained in 47 CFR 76.1701 (political file); 76.1702 (equal employment opportunity); 76.1703 (commercial records for children's programming); 76.1704 (proof-of-performance test data); 76.1706 (signal leakage logs and repair records); and 76.1715 (sponsorship identifications).

The operator of every cable television system having 1,000 or more subscribers but fewer than 5,000 subscribers shall, upon request, provide the information required by §§ 76.1702 (equal employment opportunity); 76.1703 (commercial records for children's programming); 76.1704 (proof-of-performance test data); 76.1706 (signal leakage logs and repair records); and 76.1715 (sponsorship identifications) but shall maintain for public inspection a file containing a copy of all records required to be kept by 47 CFR 76.1701 (political files).

The operator of every cable television system having 5,000 or more subscribers shall maintain for public inspection a file containing a copy of all records which are required to be kept by §§ 76.1701 (political file); 76.1702 (equal employment opportunity); 76.1703 (commercial records for children's programming); 76.1704 (proof-of-performance test data); 76.1706 (signal leakage logs and repair records); and 76.1715 (sponsorship identifications).

47 CFR 76.1700(b) requires that the public inspection file shall be maintained at the office which the system operator maintains for the ordinary collection of subscriber charges, resolution of subscriber complaints, and other business or at any accessible place in the community served by the system unit(s) (such as a public registry for documents or an attorney's office). The public inspection file shall be available for public inspection at any time during regular business hours.

47 CFR 76.1700(d) requires the records specified in paragraph (a) of this section shall be retained for the period specified in §§ 76.1701, 76.1702, 76.1704(a), and 76.1706.

47 CFR 76.1703 requires that cable operators airing children's programming must maintain records sufficient to verify compliance with 47 CFR 76.225 and make such records available to the public. Such records must be maintained for a period sufficient to cover the limitations period specified in 47 U.S.C. 503(b)(6)(B).

47 CFR 76.1704(a) requires the proof of performance tests required by § 76.601 shall be maintained on file at the operator's local business office for at least five years. The test data shall be made available for inspection by the Commission or the local franchiser, upon request.

47 CFR 76.1704(b) requires the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to any cable television system having fewer than 1,000 subscribers, subject to the requirements of § 76.601(d).

47 CFR 76.1707 requires that if a cable operator adopts and enforces a written policy regarding indecent leased access programming pursuant to § 76.701, such a policy will be considered published pursuant to that rule by inclusion of the written policy in the operator's public inspection file.

47 CFR 76.1711 requires that a record shall be kept of each test and activation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) procedures pursuant to the requirement of Part 11 of this chapter and the EAS Operating Handbook. These records shall be kept for three years.