FCC Submits Paperwork Plans to OMB for Public Scrutiny
Published Date: 4/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and small businesses to review and comment on their paperwork rules to make them easier and less time-consuming. This effort aims to cut down on unnecessary forms, especially helping small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due by May 18, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to shape how the FCC collects information and saves everyone time and money!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
New Submarine Cable Forms and Rules
The FCC revised submarine cable rules (Submarine Cable Report and Order, FCC 25-49) and will submit revised and new forms (several SCL forms and new Foreign Adversary Annual Report and certifications). The collection covers 429 respondents and 472 responses, with estimated time per response of 4 to 320 hours, a total annual burden of 14,180 hours, and total annual cost of $4,354,490.
Annual Submarine Capacity Reporting Changes
The FCC revised annual submarine circuit capacity reporting to require Filing Entities to submit a Capacity Holder Report and to report capacity on domestic cables and SLTE information. This collection covers 133 respondents and 266 responses, with estimated time per response of 1 to 20 hours, a total annual burden of 2,793 hours, and total annual cost of $12,000.
LPTV/Translator Application and Filing Changes
For Low Power Television (LPTV) and TV translators, the FCC adopted new rules requiring a displacement exhibit with Schedule C filings, allowing channel sharees to cease sharing via a major modification, and requiring agreements for construction that exceed interference limits. The collection covers 910 respondents and 910 responses, with 2 to 2.5 hours per response, a total annual burden of 4,090 hours, and annual cost of $4,698,511.
Call Sign Rule Changes for LPTV/Class A Stations
The FCC revised call sign rules for Class A and LPTV stations to require appropriate service-designation call signs; stations without appropriate call signs must file a call sign change. This collection covers 29,146 respondents and 29,146 responses, with estimated time per response of 0.166 to 1 hour and a total annual burden of 26,884 hours.
Incentive-Auction-Related Filing Burdens
Changes tied to Media Bureau incentive auction implementation (various 47 CFR sections) are being submitted for OMB approval; the submission covers 1,236 respondents and 40,686 responses, with estimated time per response of 0.004 to 15 hours, a total annual burden of 6,570 hours, and annual cost of $961,800.
Request to Reduce Small-Business Paperwork
The FCC is asking for public comment on ways to reduce paperwork burdens under the Paperwork Reduction Act and specifically asks how it can further reduce burdens for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due on or before May 18, 2026.
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