FCC Seeks Comments on Paperwork Reduction for Small Businesses
Published Date: 4/4/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to help reduce paperwork, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want your comments on their information collection by May 5, 2025. This effort aims to make things easier and less costly for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Who must file Form 323 and when
Licensees of commercial AM, FM, full-power TV, Class A, and Low Power TV stations must file FCC Form 323 every two years. Biennial reports must be accurate as of October 1 and filed by December 1 in all odd-numbered years; licensees must also file after a transfer of control or assignment, permittees must file within 30 days after grant of a construction permit, and must update or certify when applying for a license to cover.
Estimated filings, time, and dollar burden
The FCC estimates 4,340 respondents and 4,340 responses for this collection, at 1.5 to 2.5 hours per response, producing a total annual burden of 9,620 hours and a total annual cost of $10,220,980. The OMB control number for this collection is 3060-0010.
Earlier Form and FRN changes that reduce burdens
The FCC notes that a 2016 Second Report and Order implemented a Restricted Use FRN (RUFRN), limited the Special Use FRN (SUFRN), and revised Form 323-E and other reporting rules. Those changes are described as reducing filing burdens, streamlining processes, and improving data quality for ownership reporting.
Small-business paperwork relief request
The FCC is asking for public comment on how to further reduce information collection burdens specifically for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. Comments must be submitted by May 5, 2025 through www.reginfo.gov and also emailed to Cathy Williams at the FCC.
Removal of newspaper cross-ownership question
The Commission will eliminate Section II-A/II-B, Question 2.c on Form 323, which asked if the respondent or an interest holder had an attributable interest in newspaper entities in the same market. The question is being removed because the Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule was repealed.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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