82 FR 37586 - Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 154 (August 11, 2017)

Page Range		37586-37587
FR Document		2017-16963

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (``Privacy Act''), this document announces the establishment of a computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37586-37587]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16963]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of a new matching program.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended 
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the establishment of a 
computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission 
(``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service 
Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of this matching 
program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers 
of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is 
administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC.

DATES: Written comments are due on or before September 11, 2017. This 
computer matching program will commence on September 11, 2017 unless 
comments are received that require a contrary determination.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Leslie F. Smith, Privacy Manager, 
Information Technology (IT), Room 1-C216, FCC, 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554, or to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Leslie F. Smith, (202) 418-0217, 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lifeline program provides support for 
discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers. 
Lifeline is administered by the Universal Service Administrative 
Company (USAC) under FCC direction. Consumers qualify for Lifeline 
through proof of income or participation in a qualifying program, such 
as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), 
Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 
or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. In a Report and Order 
adopted on March 31, 2016, the Commission ordered USAC to create a 
National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (``National Verifier''), 
including the National Lifeline Eligibility Database (LED), that would 
match data about Lifeline applicants and subscribers with other data 
sources to verify the eligibility of an applicant or subscriber. The 
Commission found that the National Verifier would reduce compliance 
costs for Lifeline service providers, improve service for Lifeline 
subscribers, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.

PARTICIPATING AGENCY:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development--Enterprise Income 
Verification System (EIV) (HUD/PIH-05), Inventory Management System 
(IMS/PIC) (HUD/PIH-01), and Tenant Rental Assistance Certification 
Systems (TRACS) (HUD/H-11);

AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING THE MATCHING PROGRAM:
    47 U.S.C. 254; 47 CFR 54.400 et seq.; Lifeline and Link Up Reform 
and Modernization, et al., Third Report and Order, Further Report and 
Order, and Order on Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006-21, paras. 
126-66 (2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order).

PURPOSE(S):
    In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the FCC required USAC to 
develop and operate a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National 
Verifier) to improve efficiency and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in 
the Lifeline program. The stated purpose of the National Verifier is 
``to increase the integrity and improve the performance of the Lifeline 
program for the benefit of a variety of Lifeline participants, 
including Lifeline providers, subscribers, states, community-based 
organizations, USAC, and the Commission.'' 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006, para. 
126. To help determine whether Lifeline applicants and subscribers are 
eligible for Lifeline benefits, the Order contemplates that a USAC-
operated Lifeline Eligibility Database (LED) will communicate with 
information systems and databases operated by other Federal and State 
agencies. Id. at 4011-2, paras. 135-7.

[[Page 37587]]

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS:
    The categories of individuals whose information is involved in this 
matching program include, but are not limited to, those individuals 
(residing in a single household) who have applied for Lifeline 
benefits; are currently receiving Lifeline benefits; are individuals 
who enable another individual in their household to qualify for 
Lifeline benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or 
guardian for Lifeline benefits; are individuals who have received 
Lifeline benefits; or are individuals acting on behalf of an eligible 
telecommunications carrier (ETC) who have enrolled individuals in the 
Lifeline program.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS:
    The categories of records involved in the matching program include, 
but are not limited to, a Lifeline applicant or subscriber's full name; 
physical and mailing addresses; partial Social Security number or 
Tribal ID number; date of birth; qualifying person's full name (if 
qualifying person is different from subscriber); qualifying person's 
physical and mailing addresses; qualifying person's partial Social 
Security number or Tribal ID number, and qualifying person's date of 
birth. The National Verifier will transfer these data elements to the 
source agencies, which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the 
individual is enrolled in a Lifeline-qualifying assistance program.

SYSTEM(S) OF RECORDS:
    The USAC records shared as part of this matching program reside in 
the Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline Program, a notice 
of which the FCC published at 78 FR 73535 (Dec. 6, 2013). The FCC is in 
the process of publishing an update to this system of records that 
reflects the new uses involved in operating this matching program.

Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-16963 Filed 8-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

37586 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Notices

program and build capacity for both Phase IV—Federal Facilities, General Consumers qualify for Lifeline through
permitting and enforcement functions. and Individual Stormwater Permits and proof of income or participation in a
IPDES Program Summary: As Biosolids, three years after program qualifying program, such as Medicaid,
required under section 402(b) of the authorization (anticipated July 1, 2021). the Supplemental Nutritional
CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1342(b), and 40 CFR Authority: This action is taken under the Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal
123.22, the IPDES program description authority of section 402 of the Clean Water Public Housing Assistance,
specifies how IDEQ will administer the Act as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1342. I hereby Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or
NPDES program. IDEQ will issue IPDES provide public notice of the application by Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
permits under their jurisdiction; the State of Idaho for approval to administer In a Report and Order adopted on March
conduct compliance and enforcement the State NPDES program, in accordance 31, 2016, the Commission ordered
activities; gather and maintain NPDES with 40 CFR 123.61. USAC to create a National Lifeline
records and report to the EPA; and Dated: July 17, 2017. Eligibility Verifier (‘‘National Verifier’’),
oversee the regulated activities of all Daniel D. Opalski, including the National Lifeline
IPDES-permitted facilities. The EPA will Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, EPA, Eligibility Database (LED), that would
retain the authority to issue NPDES Region 10. match data about Lifeline applicants
permits for facilities located on tribal [FR Doc. 2017–16822 Filed 8–10–17; 8:45 am] and subscribers with other data sources
lands and/or discharging to tribal BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
to verify the eligibility of an applicant
waters. The scope of IDEQ permitting or subscriber. The Commission found
authority includes individual and that the National Verifier would reduce
general permits for discharges to waters FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS compliance costs for Lifeline service
of the United States from facilities or COMMISSION providers, improve service for Lifeline
activities, including industrial (e.g., subscribers, and reduce waste, fraud,
commercial, mining, oil and gas, and Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program and abuse in the program.
silviculture discharges; animal feeding
operations; and aquatic animal AGENCY: Federal Communications PARTICIPATING AGENCY:
production facilities) and municipal Commission.
The Department of Housing and Urban
wastewater treatment facilities (e.g., ACTION: Notice of a new matching
Development—Enterprise Income
publicly and privately owned treatment program. Verification System (EIV) (HUD/PIH–05),
works); discharges to waters of the Inventory Management System (IMS/PIC)
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
United States from federal facilities; (HUD/PIH–01), and Tenant Rental
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended Assistance Certification Systems (TRACS)
storm water discharges, including
(‘‘Privacy Act’’), this document (HUD/H–11);
municipal storm sewer systems
announces the establishment of a
(combined and separate); construction
computer matching program the Federal AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING THE MATCHING
and industrial storm water general
Communications Commission (‘‘FCC’’ PROGRAM:
permits; and individual permits for
or ‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘Agency’’) and the 47 U.S.C. 254; 47 CFR 54.400 et seq.;
storm water discharges; sewage sludge
Universal Service Administrative Lifeline and Link Up Reform and
(biosolids) under 40 CFR part 503 and
Company (USAC) will conduct with the Modernization, et al., Third Report and
the pretreatment program under 40 CFR
Department of Housing and Urban Order, Further Report and Order, and
part 403. IDEQ’s program will not
Development (HUD). The purpose of Order on Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd
include permitting of discharges
this matching program is to verify the 3962, 4006–21, paras. 126–66 (2016)
incidental to the normal operation of a
eligibility of applicants to and (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order).
non-military, non-recreational vessel
subscribers of the Universal Service
operating in a capacity as a means of
Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is PURPOSE(S):
transportation; the EPA will continue to
administered by USAC under the
issue permits under CWA section 402 to In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization
direction of the FCC.
regulate such discharges from non- Order, the FCC required USAC to
military, non-recreational vessels greater DATES: Written comments are due on or
develop and operate a National Lifeline
than 79 feet in length and all ballast before September 11, 2017. This
Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) to
water discharges. computer matching program will
improve efficiency and reduce waste,
IDEQ will assume permitting and commence on September 11, 2017
fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline
compliance authority for the NPDES unless comments are received that
program. The stated purpose of the
program in four phases. The EPA will require a contrary determination.
National Verifier is ‘‘to increase the
retain full permitting and compliance ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. integrity and improve the performance
authority over facilities until that Leslie F. Smith, Privacy Manager, of the Lifeline program for the benefit of
authority is transferred to IDEQ in Information Technology (IT), Room a variety of Lifeline participants,
accordance with the following schedule: 1–C216, FCC, 445 12th Street SW., including Lifeline providers,
Phase I—Individual Municipal Washington, DC 20554, or to subscribers, states, community-based
Permits and Pretreatment upon gaining Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov. organizations, USAC, and the
program authority (anticipated July 1, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Commission.’’ 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006,
2018). Leslie F. Smith, (202) 418–0217, or
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

para. 126. To help determine whether
Phase II—Individual Industrial Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov. Lifeline applicants and subscribers are
Permits, one year after program SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The eligible for Lifeline benefits, the Order
authorization (anticipated July 1, 2019). Lifeline program provides support for contemplates that a USAC-operated
Phase III—General Permits discounted broadband and voice Lifeline Eligibility Database (LED) will
(Aquaculture, Pesticide, CAFO, Suction services to low-income consumers. communicate with information systems
Dredge, Remediation), two years after Lifeline is administered by the and databases operated by other Federal
program authorization (anticipated July Universal Service Administrative and State agencies. Id. at 4011–2, paras.
1, 2020). Company (USAC) under FCC direction. 135–7.

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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:46:18
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:46:18

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 of a new matching program.
Dates		Written comments are due on or before September 11, 2017. This computer matching program will commence on September 11, 2017 unless comments are received that require a contrary determination.
Contact		Mr. Leslie F. Smith, (202) 418-0217, or [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 37586