81_FR_20325 81 FR 20258 - Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications

81 FR 20258 - Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 67 (April 7, 2016)

Page Range20258-20259
FR Document2016-07845

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection associated with the Commission's Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications Report and Order's (Order) consumer disclosure requirement. This document is consistent with the Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20258-20259]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07845]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 12

[PS Docket No. 14-174, FCC 15-98]


Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, 
the information collection associated with the Commission's Ensuring 
Continuity of 911 Communications Report and Order's (Order) consumer 
disclosure requirement. This document is consistent with the Order, 
which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the 
Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

DATES: Effective date: The amendments to 47 CFR 12.5(d), published at 
80 FR 62470, October 16, 2015 are effective August 5, 2016.
    Compliance date: For providers with fewer than 100,000 domestic 
retail subscriber lines, April 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda M. Pintro, Policy and Licensing 
Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-
7490, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document announces that, on March 21, 
2016, OMB approved, for a period of three years, the information 
collection requirements relating to the subscriber notification rules 
contained in the Commission's Order, FCC 15-98, published at 80 FR 
62470, October 16, 2015. The OMB Control Number is 3060-1217. The 
Commission publishes this document as an announcement of the effective 
date of the rules. If you

[[Page 20259]]

have any comments on the burden estimates listed below, or how the 
Commission can improve the collections and reduce any burdens caused 
thereby, please contact Nicole Ongele, Federal Communications, Room 1-
A620, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. Please include the OMB 
Control Number, 3060-1217, in your correspondence. The Commission will 
also accept your comments via email at [email protected]. To request 
materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, 
large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to 
[email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 
(202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

Synopsis

    As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507), the FCC is notifying the public that it received final OMB 
approval on March 21, 2016, for the information collection requirements 
contained in the modifications to the Commission's rules in 47 CFR part 
12.
    Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a 
collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB 
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 
that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number is 3060-1217.
    The foregoing notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Pub. L. 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
    The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents 
are as follows:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1217.
    OMB Approval Date: March 21, 2016.
    OMB Expiration Date: March 31, 2019.
    Title: Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications Report and Order 
(PS Docket No. 14-174, FCC 15-98).
    Form Number: N/A.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 570 respondents; 570 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: Estimated time per respondent will 
vary widely by respondent because of differences in their current level 
of backup power provisioning. Some respondents may not need to expend 
any resources to comply with the third party disclosure requirement, 
because they are already providing the service. Others may have to 
build the service from the ground up. And, still others may currently 
be providing some, but not all of the required disclosure. 
Consequently, a respondent may spend zero to 70 hours per initial 
notification.
    Frequency of Response: Respondents are required to disclose the 
information to subscribers at the point of sale and annually 
thereafter.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 
sections 1, 4(i), and 251(e)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 251(e)(3); section 101 of the NET 911 
Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-283, 47 U.S.C. 615a-1; and 
section 106 of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video 
Accessibility Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-260, 47 U.S.C. 615c.
    Total Annual Burden: 1,888 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: An assurance of 
confidentiality is not offered because this information collection does 
not require the collection of personally identifiable information (PII) 
from individuals.
    Privacy Act: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: For over one hundred years, consumers have trusted 
that they will hear a dial tone in an emergency even when the power is 
out. Now, as networks transition away from copper-based, line-powered 
technology, many are aware of the innovation this transition has 
spurred in emergency services, but many consumers remain unaware that 
they must take action to ensure that dial tone's availability in the 
event of a commercial power outage. The vital importance of the 
continuity of 911 communications, and the Commission's duty to promote 
safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio 
communication, favor action to ensure that all consumers understand the 
risks associated with non-line-powered 911 service, know how to protect 
themselves from such risks, and have a meaningful opportunity to do so. 
Accordingly, on August 6, 2015, the Commission adopted the Order to 
promote continued access to 911 during commercial power outages, by 
requiring providers of facilities-based, fixed residential voice 
services that are not line powered to offer subscribers the option to 
purchase a backup power solution capable of 8 hours of standby power, 
and within three years, an additional solution capable of 24 hours of 
backup power. The Order also promotes consumer education and choice by 
requiring covered providers to disclose to subscribers, information 
about: (a) Availability of backup power sources; (b) service 
limitations with and without backup power during a power outage; (c) 
purchase and replacement options; (d) expected backup power duration; 
(c) proper usage and storage conditions for the backup power source; 
(e) subscriber backup power self-testing and monitoring instructions; 
and (f) backup power warranty details, if any.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-07845 Filed 4-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P



                                           20258               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 67 / Thursday, April 7, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           II. Regulatory Analysis                                 67249, Nov. 9, 2000), because it does                 § 62.20    Claims appeals.
                                                                                                   not have a substantial direct effect on               *     *    *    *     *
                                           a. Administrative Procedure Act
                                                                                                   one or more Indian Tribes, on the                       (e) * * *
                                              FEMA did not publish a Notice of                     relationship between the Federal                        (1) Submit a written appeal to FEMA
                                           Proposed Rulemaking for this                            Government and Indian Tribes, or on                   within 60 days from the date of the
                                           regulation. FEMA finds that this rule is                the distribution of power and                         decision.
                                           exempt from the Administrative                          responsibilities between the Federal                  *     *    *    *     *
                                           Procedure Act’s (5 U.S.C. 553(b)) notice                Government and Indian Tribes.
                                           and comment rulemaking requirements                                                                               Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.
                                           because it is purely procedural in                      f. Executive Order 13132, Federalism
                                                                                                                                                         W. Craig Fugate,
                                           nature. This rule is making a technical                    A rule has implications for federalism             Administrator, Federal Emergency
                                           change to ensure the accuracy of                        under Executive Order 13132,                          Management Agency.
                                           FEMA’s regulations as FIMA relocates                    ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, Aug. 10,                 [FR Doc. 2016–08025 Filed 4–6–16; 8:45 am]
                                           from Arlington, Virginia to Washington,                 1999), if it has a substantial direct effect          BILLING CODE 9111–A6–P
                                           DC. FEMA believes this technical                        on State or local governments and
                                           amendment is not controversial and will                 would either preempt State law or
                                           not result in any adverse comments.                     impose a substantial direct cost of                   FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
                                           These changes do not confer any                         compliance on them. FEMA has                          COMMISSION
                                           substantive rights, benefits, or                        analyzed this rule under that Order and
                                           obligations; therefore, this rule will have             determined that it does not have                      47 CFR Part 12
                                           no substantive effect on the public.                    implications for federalism.
                                              Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), FEMA has                                                                         [PS Docket No. 14–174, FCC 15–98]
                                           determined it has good cause to make                    g. Congressional Review of Agency
                                                                                                   Rulemaking                                            Ensuring Continuity of 911
                                           this technical amendment effective
                                                                                                                                                         Communications
                                           immediately, so that appellants are
                                                                                                      FEMA has sent this final rule to the
                                           aware of the new address as soon as                                                                           AGENCY:   Federal Communications
                                                                                                   Congress and to the Government
                                           possible and their appeals will be                                                                            Commission.
                                                                                                   Accountability Office under the
                                           received at the correct address.                                                                              ACTION: Final rule; announcement of
                                                                                                   Congressional Review of Agency
                                           b. Executive Order 12866, as Amended,                   Rulemaking Act (Act), Public Law 104–                 effective date.
                                           Regulatory Planning and Review;                         121, 110 Stat. 873 (March 29, 1996) (5                SUMMARY:   In this document, the
                                           Executive Order 13563, Improving                        U.S.C. 804). The rule is not a ‘‘major                Commission announces that the Office
                                           Regulation and Regulatory Review                        rule’’ within the meaning of that Act                 of Management and Budget (OMB) has
                                              This rule is not a ‘‘significant                     and will not result in an annual effect               approved, for a period of three years, the
                                           regulatory action’’ under section 3(f) of               on the economy of $100,000,000 or                     information collection associated with
                                           Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory                     more. Moreover, it will not result in a               the Commission’s Ensuring Continuity
                                           Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                     major increase in costs or prices for                 of 911 Communications Report and
                                           Oct. 4, 1993), accordingly FEMA has not                 consumers, individual industries,                     Order’s (Order) consumer disclosure
                                           submitted it to the Office of                           Federal, State, or local government                   requirement. This document is
                                           Management and Budget for review. As                    agencies, or geographic regions. FEMA                 consistent with the Order, which stated
                                           this rule involves a non-substantive                    does not expect that it will have                     that the Commission would publish a
                                           change, FEMA expects that it will not                   ‘‘significant adverse effects’’ on                    document in the Federal Register
                                           impose any costs on the public.                         competition, employment, investment,                  announcing the effective date of those
                                                                                                   productivity, innovation, or on the                   rules.
                                           c. Regulatory Flexibility Act                           ability of United States-based
                                                                                                   enterprises to compete with foreign-                  DATES: Effective date: The amendments
                                              The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                                                                                   based enterprises.                                    to 47 CFR 12.5(d), published at 80 FR
                                           U.S.C. 601–612) requires that special
                                                                                                                                                         62470, October 16, 2015 are effective
                                           consideration be given to the effects of                List of Subjects in 44 CFR Part 62                    August 5, 2016.
                                           proposed regulations on small entities.                                                                         Compliance date: For providers with
                                           This rule does not require a Notice of                    Claims, Flood insurance, Reporting
                                                                                                                                                         fewer than 100,000 domestic retail
                                           Proposed Rulemaking and, therefore, is                  and recordkeeping requirements.
                                                                                                                                                         subscriber lines, April 1, 2017.
                                           exempt from the requirements of the                       For the reasons discussed in the                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                           Regulatory Flexibility Act.                             preamble, the Federal Emergency                       Linda M. Pintro, Policy and Licensing
                                           d. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                      Management Agency is amending 44                      Division, Public Safety and Homeland
                                                                                                   CFR part 62 as follows:                               Security Bureau, at (202) 418–7490, or
                                             In accordance with the Paperwork
                                           Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Ch.                                                                          email: linda.pintro@fcc.gov.
                                                                                                   PART 62—SALE OF INSURANCE AND
                                           3501–3520), FEMA reviewed this final                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
                                                                                                   ADJUSTMENT OF CLAIMS
                                           rule and has determined that there are                                                                        document announces that, on March 21,
                                           no new collections of information                                                                             2016, OMB approved, for a period of
                                                                                                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 62
                                           contained therein.                                                                                            three years, the information collection
                                                                                                   continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                         requirements relating to the subscriber
                                           e. Executive Order 13175, Consultation                    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.;                  notification rules contained in the
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           and Coordination With Indian Tribal                     Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, 43 FR              Commission’s Order, FCC 15–98,
                                           Governments                                             41943, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 329; E.O.
                                                                                                                                                         published at 80 FR 62470, October 16,
                                                                                                   12127 of Mar. 31, 1979, 44 FR 19367, 3 CFR,
                                              This rule does not have Tribal                       1979 Comp., p. 376.                                   2015. The OMB Control Number is
                                           implications under Executive Order                                                                            3060–1217. The Commission publishes
                                           13175, ‘‘Consultation and Coordination                  ■ 2. In § 62.20, revise paragraph (e)(1) to           this document as an announcement of
                                           with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR                 read as follows:                                      the effective date of the rules. If you


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 67 / Thursday, April 7, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                              20259

                                           have any comments on the burden                         they are already providing the service.               disclose to subscribers, information
                                           estimates listed below, or how the                      Others may have to build the service                  about: (a) Availability of backup power
                                           Commission can improve the                              from the ground up. And, still others                 sources; (b) service limitations with and
                                           collections and reduce any burdens                      may currently be providing some, but                  without backup power during a power
                                           caused thereby, please contact Nicole                   not all of the required disclosure.                   outage; (c) purchase and replacement
                                           Ongele, Federal Communications, Room                    Consequently, a respondent may spend                  options; (d) expected backup power
                                           1–A620, 445 12th Street SW.,                            zero to 70 hours per initial notification.            duration; (c) proper usage and storage
                                           Washington, DC 20554. Please include                       Frequency of Response: Respondents                 conditions for the backup power source;
                                           the OMB Control Number, 3060–1217,                      are required to disclose the information              (e) subscriber backup power self-testing
                                           in your correspondence. The                             to subscribers at the point of sale and               and monitoring instructions; and (f)
                                           Commission will also accept your                        annually thereafter.                                  backup power warranty details, if any.
                                           comments via email at PRA@FCC.GOV.                         Obligation to Respond: Required to
                                                                                                                                                         Federal Communications Commission.
                                           To request materials in accessible                      obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
                                                                                                   authority for this information collection             Marlene H. Dortch,
                                           formats for people with disabilities
                                                                                                   is contained in sections 1, 4(i), and                 Secretary.
                                           (Braille, large print, electronic files,
                                           audio format), send an email to fcc504@                 251(e)(3) of the Communications Act of                [FR Doc. 2016–07845 Filed 4–6–16; 8:45 am]
                                           fcc.gov or call the Consumer and                        1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i),              BILLING CODE 6712–01–P

                                           Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202)                    251(e)(3); section 101 of the NET 911
                                           418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432                        Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law
                                           (TTY).                                                  110–283, 47 U.S.C. 615a–1; and section                DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                   106 of the Twenty-First Century
                                           Synopsis                                                Communications and Video                              National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                             As required by the Paperwork                          Accessibility Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111–               Administration
                                           Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507),                 260, 47 U.S.C. 615c.
                                           the FCC is notifying the public that it                    Total Annual Burden: 1,888 hours.                  50 CFR Part 665
                                           received final OMB approval on March                       Total Annual Cost: No cost.
                                                                                                      Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:              [Docket No. 150715616–6300–02]
                                           21, 2016, for the information collection
                                                                                                   An assurance of confidentiality is not                RIN 0648–XE062
                                           requirements contained in the
                                                                                                   offered because this information
                                           modifications to the Commission’s rules                                                                       Pacific Island Fisheries; 2015–16
                                                                                                   collection does not require the
                                           in 47 CFR part 12.                                                                                            Annual Catch Limits and
                                             Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency                      collection of personally identifiable
                                                                                                   information (PII) from individuals.                   Accountability Measures; Main
                                           may not conduct or sponsor a collection
                                                                                                      Privacy Act: No impact(s).                         Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish
                                           of information unless it displays a                        Needs and Uses: For over one
                                           current, valid OMB Control Number.                      hundred years, consumers have trusted                 AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                             No person shall be subject to any                                                                           Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                                                                   that they will hear a dial tone in an
                                           penalty for failing to comply with a                                                                          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                                                                   emergency even when the power is out.
                                           collection of information subject to the                                                                      Commerce.
                                                                                                   Now, as networks transition away from
                                           Paperwork Reduction Act that does not                                                                         ACTION: Final specifications.
                                                                                                   copper-based, line-powered technology,
                                           display a current, valid OMB Control
                                                                                                   many are aware of the innovation this
                                           Number. The OMB Control Number is                                                                             SUMMARY:   NMFS specifies an annual
                                                                                                   transition has spurred in emergency
                                           3060–1217.                                                                                                    catch limit (ACL) of 326,000 lb for Deep
                                                                                                   services, but many consumers remain
                                             The foregoing notice is required by                                                                         7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian
                                                                                                   unaware that they must take action to
                                           the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,                                                                          Islands (MHI) for the 2015–16 fishing
                                                                                                   ensure that dial tone’s availability in the
                                           Pub. L. 104–13, October 1, 1995, and 44                                                                       year. As an accountability measure
                                                                                                   event of a commercial power outage.
                                           U.S.C. 3507.                                                                                                  (AM), if the ACL is projected to be
                                             The total annual reporting burdens                    The vital importance of the continuity
                                                                                                                                                         reached, NMFS would close the
                                           and costs for the respondents are as                    of 911 communications, and the
                                                                                                                                                         commercial and non-commercial
                                           follows:                                                Commission’s duty to promote safety of
                                                                                                                                                         fisheries for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish for
                                             OMB Control Number: 3060–1217.                        life and property through the use of wire
                                                                                                                                                         the remainder of the fishing year. The
                                             OMB Approval Date: March 21, 2016.                    and radio communication, favor action
                                                                                                                                                         ACL and AM specifications support the
                                             OMB Expiration Date: March 31,                        to ensure that all consumers understand
                                                                                                                                                         long-term sustainability of Hawaii
                                           2019.                                                   the risks associated with non-line-
                                                                                                                                                         bottomfish.
                                             Title: Ensuring Continuity of 911                     powered 911 service, know how to
                                           Communications Report and Order (PS                     protect themselves from such risks, and               DATES:  The final specifications are
                                           Docket No. 14–174, FCC 15–98).                          have a meaningful opportunity to do so.               effective from May 9, 2016, through
                                             Form Number: N/A.                                     Accordingly, on August 6, 2015, the                   August 31, 2016.
                                             Respondents: Business or other for-                   Commission adopted the Order to                       ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery
                                           profit entities.                                        promote continued access to 911 during                Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian
                                             Number of Respondents and                             commercial power outages, by requiring                Archipelago are available from the
                                           Responses: 570 respondents; 570                         providers of facilities-based, fixed                  Western Pacific Fishery Management
                                           responses.                                              residential voice services that are not               Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St.,
                                             Estimated Time per Response:                          line powered to offer subscribers the                 Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel.
                                           Estimated time per respondent will vary                 option to purchase a backup power                     808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           widely by respondent because of                         solution capable of 8 hours of standby                www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the
                                           differences in their current level of                   power, and within three years, an                     environmental assessment and finding
                                           backup power provisioning. Some                         additional solution capable of 24 hours               of no significant impact for this action,
                                           respondents may not need to expend                      of backup power. The Order also                       identified by NOAA–NMFS–2015–0090,
                                           any resources to comply with the third                  promotes consumer education and                       are available from www.regulations.gov,
                                           party disclosure requirement, because                   choice by requiring covered providers to              or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional


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Document Created: 2016-04-06 23:43:33
Document Modified: 2016-04-06 23:43:33
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule; announcement of effective date.
ContactLinda M. Pintro, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418- 7490, or email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 20258 

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