This non-substantial change request is being submitted to OMB for approval in the event that the change in the nationwide DTV Transition date is enacted into law. On February 5, 2009, the United States Congress passed legislation, known as the DTV Delay Act, that would extend the date for the completion of the DTV transition from February 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009. This submission will cover information collection requirements through the new transition date (June 12, 2009 or whatever final DTV Transition date is ultimately established by Congress and enacted into law) and, where required by FCC Order, a specified amount of time after such date. This submission applies only if the DTV Delay Act is enacted into law.
The Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act (Analog Nightlight Act or Act), requires the Commission to develop and implement a program by January 15, 2009, to encourage and permit continued analog TV service after the February 17, 2009 DTV transition date, where technically feasible, for the purpose of providing public safety information and DTV transition information to viewers who may not obtain the necessary equipment to receive digital broadcasts after the transition date. The statute imposes a deadline of January 15, 2009.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requests approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and in accordance with OMBs emergency processing rules (5 CFR 1320.13), for a revision to an existing information collection. The revision will allow the filing of DTV notifications to the FCC via CDBS), in order to implement the Congressional mandate for the FCC to develop and implement a program by January 15, 2009, to encourage and permit TV broadcast stations to use this opportunity to provide public safety information and DTV transition information. Specifically, the Commission must establish a program that will allow full power television stations (at their option) to continue to provide analog service for a period of 30 days after the digital transition deadline of February 17, 2009 for the sole purposes of offering public safety and digital transition information.
We believe there is good cause for requesting emergency PRA approval from OMB because of the January 15, 2009 statutory deadline for implementing the Nightlight Act, which was enacted by Congress only this month, as well as the brief 30-day period during which the Acts provisions will be in force, circumstances which make the use of normal OMB clearance procedures reasonably likely to cause the Acts statutory deadlines to be missed. In addition, any delay in implementing this Congressional mandate can result in harm to TV stations, and, in turn, to their viewers. Due to the short time frame provided for us to act in the Analog Nightlight Act, and because PRA approval is needed to allow stations to make filings immediately (including during the NPRM comment period), we request OMB to waive Federal Register notice for this emergency request under the PRA. See 5 C.F.R. § 1320.13(d). We request OMB approval by December 31, 2008.
There are program changes to this information collection of +530 annual burden hours and +$63,000 annual cost burden due to the information collection requirements contained in FCC 08-281. There are no adjustments to this information collection.
$634,093
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Evan Baranoff 202 418-7142 evan.baranoff@fcc.gov
No
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.