Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

[Federal Register: October 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 206)]

[Notices]

[Page 60668-60669]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr25oc07-72]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

October 16, 2007. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to (PRA) of 1995 (PRA), Public Law No. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Subject to the PRA, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information 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 PRA comments should be submitted on or before December 24, 2007. 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: You may submit all PRA comments by e-mail or U.S. post mail. To submit your comments by e-mail, send them to PRA@fcc.gov. To submit your comments by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Cathy Williams, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C823, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the information collection(s), contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918 or send an e-mail to PRA@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 3060-0390.

Title: Broadcast Station Annual Employment Report.

Form Number: FCC Form 395-B.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 14,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 0.88 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 12,320 hours.

Nature of Response: Required to obtain or retain benefits.

Confidentiality: No need for confidentiality required.

Total Annual Costs: None.

Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: FCC Form 395-B, ``The Broadcast Station Annual Employment Report,'' is used to assess industry employment trends and provide reports to Congress. Licensees with five or more full-time employees are required to file Form 395-B on or before September 30th of each year. The form is a data collection device used to compile statistics on the workforce employed by broadcast licensees/permittees. The report identifies each staff member by gender and race/ethnicity in each of the nine major job categories. On June 4, 2004, the FCC released the Third Report and Order and Fourth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (3rd R&O), In the Matter of Review of the Commission's Broadcast and Cable Equal Employment Opportunity Rules and Policies, MM Docket No. 98-204, FCC 04-103, in which it considers issues relating to the Annual Employment Report forms, including Form 395-B, ``The Broadcast Station Annual Employment Report.'' In the 3rd R&O, the Commission is adopting revised rules requiring broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to file annual employment reports. Radio and television broadcasters will use Form 395-B to file annual employment reports. The intent of this 3rd R&O is to reinstate and update requirements for broadcasters and MVPDs to file annual employment reports. The intent of the Fourth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is to provide time for MVPDs, broadcast licensees, and the public to address the issue of whether the Commission should keep these forms confidential after they are filed. With the effective date of the rule revisions adopted in the 3rd R&O, MVPDs and broadcasters must start keeping records of their employees so they can prepare their annual employment reports due to be filed on or before September 30, 2004.

[[Page 60669]]

Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-21019 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]

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