The FCC seeks approval to: (1) eliminate the information requirement for the Internet Access Program; (2) extend some of the existing collection requirements for the Healthcare Connect Fund, the Skilled Nursing Facilities Pilot Program, and the Telecommunications Program; and (3) revise some of the existing information collection requirements for the Healthcare Connect Fund and the Telecommunications Programs.
US Code:
47 USC 154(i) - 154(j)
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 201 - 205
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 214
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 254
Name of Law: Telecommunications Act of 1996, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 151
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 403
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
The Commission is reporting program changes/increases of +8,484 to the total number of unique respondents, to the total number of annual responses of +30,408, and to the total annual burden hours of +57,151. These program changes/increases are primarily due to changes to the Telecommunications Program forms to harmonize the application processes for this program with the Healthcare Connect Fund Program and are intended to make the RHC Program information requests consistent between the programs, to the extent possible. These program changes/increases are also due to recently enacted legislation signed by the President on June 22, 2016 (See Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Title II â Rural Healthcare Connectivity, Pub. L. No. 114-182 (2016)), resulting in the elimination of the information collection requirements associated with the SNF Pilot Program and the addition of another eligible health care provider category.
The Commission is reporting adjustments/increases to this information collection. The total number of annual responses increased by +53,397. Of the + 53,397 total annual responses, 2,595 are adjustments to the total annual responses which are due to the Commission correcting a miscalculation in its previous submission to OMB. The total annual burden hours increased by +166,764. These adjustments/increases are due to the overall evolvement of the Healthcare Connect Fund, its impact on the affected stakeholders associated with this information collection, and the recent legislation including SNFs as an eligible health care provider under the RHC Program.
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.