82 FR 46989 - Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 194 (October 10, 2017)

Page Range		46989-46990
FR Document		2017-21757

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 four non-Federal agencies. 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. More information about this program is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46989-46990]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21757]


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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 four non-Federal 
agencies. 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. More information about this program is provided 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

DATES: Written comments are due on or before November 9, 2017. This 
computer matching program will commence on November 9, 2017 unless 
comments are received that require a contrary determination.

[[Page 46990]]


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 Non-Federal Agencies

     Colorado Office of Information Technology;
     Mississippi Department of Human Services;
     New Mexico Human Services Department; and
     Utah Department of Workforce Services.

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.

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 82 FR 38686 (Aug. 15, 2017). The August 
15, 2017 notice is an update to this system of records that reflects 
the new uses involved in operating this matching program and it 
modified the system of records, notice of which the FCC previously had 
published at 78 FR 73535 (Dec. 6, 2013).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-21757 Filed 10-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2017 / Notices 46989

following information collections. collection burden on small business the State Department and seek advice
Comments are requested concerning: concerns with fewer than 25 employees. from other government agencies as
Whether the proposed collection of OMB Control Number: 3060–0944. appropriate. If the collection is not
information is necessary for the proper Title: Cable Landing License Act—47 conducted or is conducted less
performance of the functions of the CFR 1.767; 1.768; Executive Order frequently, applicants will not obtain
Commission, including whether the 10530. the authorizations necessary to provide
information shall have practical utility; Form Number: Submarine Cable telecommunications services and
the accuracy of the Commission’s Landing License Application. facilities, and the Commission will be
burden estimate; ways to enhance the Type of Review: Extension of a unable to carry out its mandate under
quality, utility, and clarity of the currently approved collection. the Cable Landing License Act and
information collected; ways to minimize Respondents: Business and other for- Executive Order 10530. In addition,
the burden of the collection of profit. without the collection, the United States
information on the respondents, Number of Respondents and would jeopardize its ability to fulfill the
including the use of automated Responses: 38 respondents; 94 U.S. obligations as negotiated under the
collection techniques or other forms of responses. World Trade Organization (WTO) Basic
information technology; and ways to Estimated Time per Response: 0.50 Telecom Agreement because certain of
further reduce the information hour to 17 hours. these information collection
Frequency of Response: On occasion requirements are imperative to detecting
collection burden on small business
reporting requirement, Quarterly and deterring anticompetitive conduct.
concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
reporting requirement, Recordkeeping They are also necessary to preserve the
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor
requirement and third-party disclosure Executive Branch agencies’ and the
a collection of information unless it
requirement. Commission’s ability to review foreign
displays a currently valid Office of
Obligation to Respond: Required to
Management and Budget (OMB) control investments for national security, law
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
number. No person shall be subject to enforcement, foreign policy, and trade
authority for this collection is contained
any penalty for failing to comply with concerns.
in the Submarine Cable Landing License
a collection of information subject to the Federal Communications Commission.
Act of 1921, 47 U.S.C. 34–39, Executive
PRA that does not display a valid OMB Sheryl D. Todd,
Order 10530, section 5(a), and the
control number.
Communications Act of 1934, as Deputy Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
DATES: Written comments should be amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i)–(j), [FR Doc. 2017–21756 Filed 10–6–17; 8:45 am]
submitted on or before December 11, 155, 303(r), 309, 403. BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
2017. If you anticipate that you will be Total Annual Burden: 421 hours.
submitting comments, but find it Total Annual Cost: $88,505.
difficult to do so within the period of Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
time allowed by this notice, you should impact(s). COMMISSION
advise the contacts below as soon as Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
possible. In general, there is no need for Privacy Act of 1974; Matching
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to confidentiality with this collection of Program.
Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@ information.
Needs and Uses: The Federal AGENCY: Federal Communications
fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. Commission.
Communications Commission
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For (Commission) is requesting that the ACTION: Notice of a new matching
additional information about the Office of Management and Budget program.
information collection, contact Cathy (OMB) approve a three-year extension of
Williams at (202) 418–2918. OMB Control No. 3060–0944. There are SUMMARY: In accordance with the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of no changes in the number of Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
its continuing effort to reduce respondents, responses, annual burden (‘‘Privacy Act’’), this document
paperwork burdens, and as required by hours and annual costs. announces the establishment of a
the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), The information will be used by the computer matching program the Federal
the FCC invites the general public and Commission staff in carrying out its Communications Commission (‘‘FCC’’
other Federal agencies to take this duties under the Submarine Cable or ‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘Agency’’) and the
opportunity to comment on the Landing License Act of 1921, 47 U.S.C. Universal Service Administrative
following information collections. 34–39, Executive Order 10530, section Company (USAC) will conduct with
Comments are requested concerning: 5(a), and the Communications Act of four non-Federal agencies. The purpose
Whether the proposed collection of 1934, as amended. The information of this matching program is to verify the
information is necessary for the proper collections are necessary largely to eligibility of applicants to and
performance of the functions of the determine whether and under what subscribers of the Universal Service
Commission, including whether the conditions the Commission should grant Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is
information shall have practical utility; a license for proposed submarine cables administered by USAC under the
the accuracy of the Commission’s landing in the United States, including direction of the FCC. More information
burden estimate; ways to enhance the applicants that are, or are affiliated about this program is provided in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
quality, utility, and clarity of the with, foreign carriers in the destination
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

information collected; ways to minimize market of the proposed submarine cable. below.
the burden of the collection of Pursuant to Executive Order No. 10530, DATES: Written comments are due on or
information on the respondents, the Commission has been delegated the before November 9, 2017. This
including the use of automated President’s authority under the Cable computer matching program will
collection techniques or other forms of Landing License Act to grant cable commence on November 9, 2017 unless
information technology; and ways to landing licenses, provided that the comments are received that require a
further reduce the information Commission must obtain the approval of contrary determination.

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Document Created: 2017-10-07 10:32:14
Document Modified: 2017-10-07 10:32:14

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 November 9, 2017. This computer matching program will commence on November 9, 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 46989