The FCC begins
implementing certain portions of the Universal Service Fund
proceeding (CC Docket 96-45) with this collecition. While based on
the existing USF rules, it adds a number of new provisions to
implement certain requirements of the 1996 Telecommunications Act,
including providing assistance to rural health care facilities, and
schools and libraries. OMB approves the collection items specified
in the Justification Statement item 1. but files the following
comments on item 1.(o) which should not be implemented until these
issues are resolved. First, the FCC should review the use of State
Educational certification organizations and library/medical
oversight entities to meet the requirements of Section 254(h)(4),
(5) etc. Similarly, the State PUCs should provide lists of
authorized service providers to the Administrator. Second, the FCC
or the Administrator should obtain the data they need to calculate
the level of contribution (based on participation in the Federal
school lunch or similar programs) directly from the USDA rather
than requiring schools, districts or libraries to obtain this
information. Third, the FCC should reconcile its requirements for
submission of funding requests with the varied fiscal calenders of
the nation's school districts. Fourth, the FCC is strongly urged to
carefully review and fully justify the level of information that is
being requested in 47 CFR 54.504 item (b). The FCC shall also
include burden hour and cost estimates required to meet these
requirements and explain how this information will be used by the
Administrator. The FCC should reexamine these requirements to
determine alternative, less burdensome ways to comply with the Act.
OMB believes that the concerns filed in the comments filed by the
Global Village Schools Institute in a letter to OMB dated June 6th
are valid and need to be addressed before 47 CFR 54.504(b) takes
effect. OMB is concerned about the broad reach of the rulemaking
and the implications it has on planning of school districts,
schools, and libraries. OMB also questions why similar requirements
are not placed on rural health providers. Finally, OMB questions
the requirement to heavily manage how schools, libraries, and
health care providers acquire the services funded under this
program outside of the requirements contained in the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/1997
09/30/1997
6,200,346
0
0
1,784,220
0
0
0
0
0
Congress directed the Commission to
implement a new set of universal service support mechanisms that
are explicit and sufficient to advance the universal service
principles enumerated in section 254 of the Telecommunications Act
of 1996 (Act) and such other principles as the Commission believes
are necessary and appropriate for the protection of the public
interest, convenience, and necessity and are consistent with the
Act. In the R&O, the Commission promulgates the rules and
requirements to preserve and advance universal service. The
collections are necessary to implement section 254.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service -- CC Docket No. 96-45, 47 CFR 36.611-36.612 and 47 CFR Part 54