The Commission is requesting approval
for non-substantial changes to the forms associated with the EAS
Test Reporting System (ETRS) in collection 3060-0207. As stated in
the supporting statement, after the September 28, 2016 Nationwide
Test of the EAS, the Commission was required to replace the
underlying software platform for the ETRS as part of an overall
agency upgrade. This change caused certain cosmetic changes to the
ETRS forms. In response to data received in the 2011 and 2016
Nationwide EAS tests, the Commission also added minimal updates to
the forms to correct anomalies, respond to user inquiries, and
increase the utility of the forms. Also, the FCC is proposing
non-substantive changes to the previously approved collections
represented by the forms associated with the mandatory electronic
EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) that EAS Participants must utilize
to file identifying and test result data as part of their
participation in any authorized nationwide EAS tests (3060-0207).
The collections in the modified ETRS forms are consistent with
those approved by the Office of Management and Budget in the 2011
revisions to the EAS PRA collection set forth in the FCC’s EAS
Third Report and Order and in the related 2011 emergency request
(and subsequent standard request) for approval of the electronic
version of that previously approved collection, as well as for the
PRA filing made for the ETRS when it became a mandatory filing
mechanism in 2015. There is an increase in the burdens hours due to
the Commission correcting a clerical error and there are no costs
associated with this information collection. Part 11 contains rules
and regulations providing for an emergency alert system (EAS). The
EAS provides the President with the capabililty to provide
immediate communications and information to the general public
during periods of national emergency. The EAS also provides state
and local governments and the National Weather Service with the
capability to send EAS alerts to the general public concerning
emergency situations posing a threat to life and property. State
and local use of the EAS is required to be described in State EAS
Plans that are administered by State Emergency Communications
Committees (SECC) and submitted to the FCC for approval. The Order
amends the State EAS Plan filing requirements set forth at Section
11.21 of the FCC’s rules to require EAS Participants (i.e., the
broadcasters, cable systems, and other service providers subject to
the FCC’s EAS rules) to provide descriptions of their actions, if
any, to make EAS alert content available in languages other than
English to its non-English speaking audience(s), to their
respective SECC, who in turn are required to include such
information in the State EAS Plan submitted to the FCC for
approval.
US Code:
47
USC 606 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 154(i) Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as
amended
There are program
changes/increases to this information collection, as a result of
the reporting requirements adopted in the Order. There are no
changes to the number of respondents, the total number of responses
increased from 3,569,028 to 3,596,546 (+27,518) and the total
annual burden hours increased from 82,008 hours to 110,476 hours
(+28,468). There are no adjustments.
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.