82 FR 12088 - Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 38 (February 28, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 38 (February 28, 2017)
| Page Range | 12088-12090 | |
| FR Document | 2017-03882 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 12088-12090] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-03882] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060-0967] Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission 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), 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 Office of Management and Budget (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 comments should be submitted on or before May 1, 2017. 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 contacts below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email [email protected] and to [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501- 3520), [[Page 12089]] the FCC 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. OMB Control No.: 3060-0967. Title: Section 79.2, Accessibility of Programming Providing Emergency Information, and Emergency Information; Section 79.105, Video Description and Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements for All Apparatus; Section 79.106, Video Description and Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements for Recording Devices. Form No.: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for- profit; Not-for-profit institutions; and State, local, or tribal governments. Number of Respondents and Responses: 61 respondents; 161 responses. Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 to 5 hours. Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Third party disclosure requirement. Obligation To Respond: Voluntary. The statutory authority for the collection is contained in the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-260, 124 Stat. 2751, and sections 4(i), 4(j), 303, 330(b), 713, and 716 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 303, 330(b), 613, and 617. Total Annual Burden: 175 hours. Annual Cost Burden: $15,300. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Confidentiality is an issue to the extent that individuals and households provide personally identifiable information, which is covered under the FCC's updated system of records notice (SORN), FCC/CGB-1, ``Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance,'' which became effective on September 24, 2014. The Commission believes that it provides sufficient safeguards to protect the privacy of individuals who file complaints alleging violations of the Commission's televised emergency information rules, 47 CFR 79.2, and complaints alleging violations of the apparatus emergency information and video description requirements, 47 CFR 79.105-79.106. Privacy Act Impact Assessment: The Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance was completed on June 28, 2007. It may be reviewed at http://www.fcc.gov/omd/privacyact/Privacy-Impact-Assessment.html. The Commission is in the process of updating the PIA to incorporate various revisions to it as a result of revisions to the SORN. Needs and Uses: In 2000, the Commission adopted rules to require video programming distributors (VPDs) to make emergency information provided in the audio portion of the programming accessible to viewers who have hearing disabilities. Second Report and Order, MM Docket No. 95-176, FCC 00-136. Later that year, to ensure that televised emergency information is accessible to viewers who are blind or visually impaired, the Commission modified its rules to require VPDs to make emergency information audible when provided in the video portion of a regularly scheduled newscast or a newscast that interrupts regular programming, and to provide an aural tone when emergency information is provided visually during regular programming (e.g., through screen crawls or scrolls). Report and Order, MM Docket No. 99-339, FCC 00-258. In 2013, the Commission adopted rules related to accessible emergency information and apparatus requirements for emergency information and video description. Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MB Docket Nos. 12-107 and 11-43, FCC 13-45. Specifically, the Commission's rules require that VPDs and video programming providers (VPPs) (including program owners) make emergency information accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired by using a secondary audio stream to convey televised emergency information aurally, when such information is conveyed visually during programming other than newscasts. The Commission's rules also require certain apparatus that receive, play back, or record video programming to make available video description services and accessible emergency information. Finally, in 2015, the Commission adopted rules to require the following: (1) Apparatus manufacturers must provide a mechanism that is simple and easy to use for activating the secondary audio stream to access audible emergency information; and (2) starting no later than July 10, 2017, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) must pass through the secondary audio stream containing audible emergency information when it is provided on linear programming accessed on second screen devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones, laptops and similar devices) over their networks as part of their MVPD services. Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MB Docket No. 12-107, FCC 15-56. These rules are codified at 47 CFR 79.2, 79.105, and 79.106. Information Collection Requirements: (a) Complaints alleging violations of the emergency information rules. Section 79.2(c) of the Commission's rules provides that a complaint alleging a violation of Sec. 79.2 of its rules, may be transmitted to the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau by any reasonable means, such as the Commission's online informal complaint filing system, letter, facsimile transmission, telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet email, audio-cassette recording, Braille, or some other method that would best accommodate the complainant's disability. After the Commission receives the complaint, the Commission notifies the VPD or VPP of the complaint, and the VPD or VPP has 30 days to reply. (b) Complaints alleging violations of the apparatus emergency information and video description requirements. Complaints alleging violations of the rules containing apparatus emergency information and video description requirements, 47 CFR 79.105-79.106, may be transmitted to the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau by any reasonable means, such as the Commission's online informal complaint filing system, letter in writing or Braille, facsimile transmission, telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), email, or some other method that would best accommodate the complainant's disability. Given that the population intended to benefit from the rules adopted will be blind or visually impaired, if a complainant calls the Commission for assistance in preparing a complaint, Commission staff will document the complaint in writing for the consumer. The Commission will forward such complaints, as appropriate, to the named manufacturer or provider for its response, as well as [[Page 12090]] to any other entity that Commission staff determines may be involved, and may request additional information from any relevant parties when, in the estimation of Commission staff, such information is needed to investigate the complaint or adjudicate potential violations of Commission rules. (c) Requests for Commission determination of technical feasibility of emergency information and video description apparatus requirements. The requirements pertaining to apparatus designed to receive or play back video programming apply only to the extent they are ``technically feasible.'' Parties may raise technical infeasibility as a defense when faced with a complaint alleging a violation of the apparatus requirements or they may file a request for a ruling under section[thinsp]1.41 of the Commission's rules as to technical infeasibility before manufacturing or importing the product. (d) Requests for Commission determination of achievability of emergency information and video description apparatus requirements. The requirements pertaining to certain apparatus designed to receive, play back, or record video programming apply only to the extent they are achievable. Manufacturers of apparatus that use a picture screen of less than 13 inches in size and of recording devices may petition the Commission, pursuant to 47 CFR 1.41, for a full or partial exemption from the video description and emergency information requirements before manufacturing or importing the apparatus. Alternatively, manufacturers may assert that a particular apparatus is fully or partially exempt as a response to a complaint, which the Commission may dismiss upon a finding that the requirements of this section are not achievable. A petition for exemption or a response to a complaint must be supported with sufficient evidence to demonstrate that compliance with the requirements is not achievable (meaning with reasonable effort or expense), and the Commission will consider four specific factors when making such a determination. (e) Petitions for purpose-based waivers of emergency information and video description apparatus requirements. The Commission may waive emergency information and video description apparatus requirements for any apparatus or class of apparatus that is (a) primarily designed for activities other than receiving or playing back video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound, or (b) designed for multiple purposes, capable of receiving or playing video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound but whose essential utility is derived from other purposes. The Commission will address any requests for a purpose-based waiver on a case-by-case basis, and waivers will be available prospectively for manufacturers seeking certainty prior to the sale of a device. (f) Submission and review of consumer eligibility information pertaining to DIRECTV, LLC's (DIRECTV's) waiver for provision of aural emergency information during The Weather Channel's programming. The Commission granted DIRECTV a waiver with respect to the set-top box models on which it is not able to implement audio functionality for emergency information, but conditioned such relief by requiring DIRECTV to provide, upon request and at no additional cost to customers who are blind or visually impaired, a set-top box model that is capable of providing aural emergency information. DIRECTV may require customers who are blind or visually impaired to submit reasonable documentation of disability to DIRECTV as a condition to providing the box at no additional cost. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017-03882 Filed 2-27-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
![12088 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / Notices
The Commission strongly encourages regulations were not incorporated in the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
electronic filings of comments, protests final Guidance Manual. COMMISSION
and interventions in lieu of paper using In response to the draft Guidance [OMB 3060–0967]
the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http:// Manual, Commission staff received
www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file comments from a variety of industry Information Collection Being Reviewed
electronically should submit an original by the Federal Communications
representatives, trade associations,
and 5 copies of the protest or Commission
federal and state agencies, non-
intervention to the Federal Energy
regulatory Commission, 888 First Street governmental organizations, public AGENCY: Federal Communications
NE., Washington, DC 20426. interest groups, consultants, and other Commission.
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern interested parties. Staff reviewed and ACTION: Notice and request for
Time on March 14, 2017. considered each comment and modified comments.
several portions of the document in
Dated: February 21, 2017. SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort
response. Staff declined to modify the
Kimberly D. Bose, to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
document where comments either were
Secretary. too project- or location-specific to be required by the Paperwork Reduction
[FR Doc. 2017–03842 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am] included in general guidance, were Act (PRA), the Federal Communications
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P already adequately/accurately addressed Commission (FCC or Commission)
as written, or regarded topics that were invites the general public and other
not relevant to the Guidance Manual or Federal agencies to take this
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY opportunity to comment on the
resource report preparation.
following information collections.
Federal Energy Regulatory The Guidance Manual is divided into Comments are requested concerning:
Commission two volumes. Volume 1 relates to the whether the proposed collection of
[Docket No. AD16–3–000] preparation of resource reports for both information is necessary for the proper
interstate natural gas projects and performance of the functions of the
Notice of Availability of the Final Commission-jurisdictional LNG Commission, including whether the
Guidance Manual for Environmental facilities. Volume 2 is specific to LNG information shall have practical utility;
Report Preparation facilities and is intended to replace a the accuracy of the Commission’s
series of staff’s previously developed burden estimate; ways to enhance the
The staff of the Federal Energy quality, utility, and clarity of the
guidance documents about the
Regulatory Commission’s (FERC or information collected; ways to minimize
preparation and review of LNG
Commission) Office of Energy Projects the burden of the collection of
has finalized its revised Guidance applications: Draft Guidance on
Resource Report 11 and 13 issued on information on the respondents,
Manual for Environmental Report including the use of automated
Preparation (Guidance Manual), which December 15, 2005, Draft Preferred
Format Submittal Guidance issued on collection techniques or other forms of
was issued in draft form on December information technology; and ways to
18, 2015, for comment. The Guidance April 12, 2006, and Draft FERC Seismic
Design Guidelines and Data Submittal further reduce the information
Manual has been revised to incorporate collection burden on small business
changed regulations; provide updated Requirements for LNG Facilities issued
concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
guidance on how to prepare resource on January 23, 2007. These documents
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor
reports and how interstate and liquefied should be considered obsolete. a collection of information unless it
natural gas (LNG) projects may All of the information related to the displays a currently valid Office of
demonstrate compliance with certain proposed updates to the Guidance Management and Budget (OMB) control
regulatory requirements; and address Manual and submitted comments can be number. No person shall be subject to
substantive comments received on the found on the FERC Web site any penalty for failing to comply with
draft Guidance Manual. (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. a collection of information subject to the
The Guidance Manual can be found Click on the eLibrary link, click on PRA that does not display a valid OMB
in Docket Number AD16–3–000. The control number.
‘‘Docket Search’’ and in the Docket
full text of the Guidance Manual can be DATES: Written comments should be
Number field enter the docket number
viewed on the Commission’s Web site at submitted on or before May 1, 2017. If
‘‘AD16–3,’’ excluding the last three
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/ you anticipate that you will be
enviro/guidelines.asp. digits. For assistance, please contact
FERC Online Support at submitting comments, but find it
Applicable sections of Title 18 of the difficult to do so within the period of
Code of Federal Regulations are FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact time allowed by this notice, you should
referenced or summarized throughout advise the contacts below as soon as
the Guidance Manual. The Guidance (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
provides access to formal documents possible.
Manual is intended to provide guidance
to the industry. This manual does not issued by the Commission, such as ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
substitute for, amend, or supersede the orders, notices, and rulemakings. Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@
Commission’s regulations under the fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
Dated: February 22, 2017.
Natural Gas Act of 1938 or the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Kimberly D. Bose,
Commission’s and Council on additional information about the
Secretary. information collection, contact Cathy
Environmental Quality’s regulations
under the National Environmental [FR Doc. 2017–03840 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am] Williams at (202) 418–2918.
Policy Act. It imposes no new legal BILLING CODE 6717–01–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of
obligations and grants no additional its continuing effort to reduce
rights. Comments on the draft Guidance paperwork burdens, and as required by
Manual that addressed only the text of the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520),
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![12090 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / Notices
to any other entity that Commission programming transmitted burden estimate; ways to enhance the
staff determines may be involved, and simultaneously with sound but whose quality, utility, and clarity of the
may request additional information essential utility is derived from other information collected; ways to minimize
from any relevant parties when, in the purposes. The Commission will address the burden of the collection of
estimation of Commission staff, such any requests for a purpose-based waiver information on the respondents,
information is needed to investigate the on a case-by-case basis, and waivers will including the use of automated
complaint or adjudicate potential be available prospectively for collection techniques or other forms of
violations of Commission rules. manufacturers seeking certainty prior to information technology; and ways to
(c) Requests for Commission the sale of a device. further reduce the information
determination of technical feasibility of (f) Submission and review of collection burden on small business
emergency information and video consumer eligibility information concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
description apparatus requirements. pertaining to DIRECTV, LLC’s The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a
The requirements pertaining to (DIRECTV’s) waiver for provision of collection of information unless it
apparatus designed to receive or play aural emergency information during The displays a currently valid control
back video programming apply only to Weather Channel’s programming. number. No person shall be subject to
the extent they are ‘‘technically The Commission granted DIRECTV a any penalty for failing to comply with
feasible.’’ Parties may raise technical waiver with respect to the set-top box a collection of information subject to the
infeasibility as a defense when faced models on which it is not able to PRA that does not display a valid Office
with a complaint alleging a violation of implement audio functionality for of Management and Budget (OMB)
the apparatus requirements or they may emergency information, but conditioned control number.
file a request for a ruling under such relief by requiring DIRECTV to DATES: Written PRA comments should
section 1.41 of the Commission’s rules provide, upon request and at no be submitted on or before May 1, 2017.
as to technical infeasibility before additional cost to customers who are If you anticipate that you will be
manufacturing or importing the product. blind or visually impaired, a set-top box submitting comments, but find it
(d) Requests for Commission model that is capable of providing aural difficult to do so within the period of
determination of achievability of emergency information. DIRECTV may
emergency information and video time allowed by this notice, you should
require customers who are blind or advise the contact listed below as soon
description apparatus requirements. visually impaired to submit reasonable
The requirements pertaining to as possible.
documentation of disability to DIRECTV ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
certain apparatus designed to receive, as a condition to providing the box at
play back, or record video programming Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email PRA@
no additional cost. fcc.gov and to Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov.
apply only to the extent they are
achievable. Manufacturers of apparatus Federal Communications Commission. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
that use a picture screen of less than 13 Marlene H. Dortch, additional information about the
inches in size and of recording devices Secretary, Office of the Secretary. information collection, contact Nicole
may petition the Commission, pursuant [FR Doc. 2017–03882 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am]
Ongele at (202) 418–2991.
to 47 CFR 1.41, for a full or partial BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of
exemption from the video description its continuing effort to reduce
and emergency information paperwork burdens, and as required by
requirements before manufacturing or FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
importing the apparatus. Alternatively, COMMISSION 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), the Federal
manufacturers may assert that a Communications Commission (FCC or
particular apparatus is fully or partially [OMB 3060–0391] Commission) invites the general public
exempt as a response to a complaint, and other Federal agencies to take this
Information Collection Being Reviewed
which the Commission may dismiss opportunity to comment on the
by the Federal Communications
upon a finding that the requirements of following information collections.
Commission Under Delegated
this section are not achievable. A Comments are requested concerning:
Authority
petition for exemption or a response to Whether the proposed collection of
a complaint must be supported with AGENCY: Federal Communications information is necessary for the proper
sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Commission. performance of the functions of the
compliance with the requirements is not ACTION: Notice and request for Commission, including whether the
achievable (meaning with reasonable comments. information shall have practical utility;
effort or expense), and the Commission the accuracy of the Commission’s
will consider four specific factors when SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort burden estimate; ways to enhance the
making such a determination. to reduce paperwork burdens, and as quality, utility, and clarity of the
(e) Petitions for purpose-based required by the Paperwork Reduction information collected; ways to minimize
waivers of emergency information and Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal the burden of the collection of
video description apparatus Communications Commission (FCC or information on the respondents,
requirements. the Commission) invites the general including the use of automated
The Commission may waive public and other Federal agencies to collection techniques or other forms of
emergency information and video take this opportunity to comment on the information technology; and ways to
description apparatus requirements for following information collection.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
further reduce the information
any apparatus or class of apparatus that Comments are requested concerning: collection burden on small business
is (a) primarily designed for activities Whether the proposed collection of concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
other than receiving or playing back information is necessary for the proper OMB Control Number: 3060–0391.
video programming transmitted performance of the functions of the Title: Parts 54 and 36, Program to
simultaneously with sound, or (b) Commission, including whether the Monitor the Impacts of the Universal
designed for multiple purposes, capable information shall have practical utility; Service Support Mechanisms.
of receiving or playing video the accuracy of the Commission’s Form Number: N/A.
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Document Created: 2017-02-27 23:53:39
Document Modified: 2017-02-27 23:53:39
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments should be submitted on or before May 1, 2017. 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 contacts below as soon as possible. | |
| Contact | For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 12088 |
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