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