FCC Invites Feedback on Slimming Down Its Paperwork Burden

2026-16266, Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("Privacy Act"), this document announces a new computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission or Agency) and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about this program is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

2026-16268, Television Broadcasting Services Elko, Nevada

This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Reno (KENV-TV) Licensee, Inc. (Licensee), the Licensee of full service television station KENV-DT (KENV-DT or Station), Elko, Nevada (Elko). The Licensee holds a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel 20 at Elko, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 in the Table with technical parameters set forth in KENV-DT's current license. In support of its channel substitution request, the Petitioner asserts that substitution of VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 in the Table will allow the Station to remain on the air and continue to provide service to viewers within its service area. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel 10 can be substituted for UHF channel 20 at Elko as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Sec. 73.618(a) of the Commission's rules.

2026-16133, Auction of FM Broadcasting Construction Permits Scheduled for February 2, 2027; Notice and Filing Requirements, Minimum Opening Bids, Upfront Payments, and Other Procedures for Auction 114

This document summarizes the procedures, deadlines, and upfront payment and minimum opening bid amounts for the upcoming auction of FM broadcast construction permits. The Auction 114 Procedures Public Notice summarized here provides details regarding the procedures, terms, conditions, dates, and deadlines governing participation in Auction 114 bidding, as well as overview of the post- auction application and payment processes.

2026-16196, Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployments

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes and seeks comment on rules that would eliminate state and local requirements that constrain the deployment of modern high-speed wireline infrastructure in violation of section 253 of the Communications Act (Act), particularly through the imposition of excessive delays and fees that impede infrastructure deployments and disincentivize investments in them. Based on the record resulting from a Notice of Inquiry that identified numerous challenges providers face in offering telecommunications services and deploying wireline infrastructure (2025 Notice of Inquiry), this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on codifying rules that would: establish a rebuttable presumption that state and local governments have effectively prohibited the provision of wireline telecommunications services if they fail to process all authorizations for use of public rights-of-way to provide wireline telecommunications services or to deploy wireline telecommunications infrastructure within 120 days; limit the fees that state and local governments may charge for a wireline telecommunications authorization to a reasonable approximation of the government's actual, direct costs of managing the rights-of-way with respect to that authorization and establish safe harbor fee levels that presumptively comport with that standard; require that the value of in-kind compensation demanded by state and local governments count toward any safe harbor fee levels adopted by the Commission; and prohibit state and local governments from imposing additional requirements on wireline telecommunications infrastructure deployments on the grounds that the infrastructure may be used to provide other services. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking also seeks comment on the Commission's authority to enact these proposals.

2026-16197, Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through the Equipment Authorization Program

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) issues a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a broad set of additional measures to strengthen the security and integrity of its equipment authorization program. The measures include bifurcating the Covered List into producer/provider-based and production location-based categories; addressing "white labeling" of covered equipment; hardware and software bill of materials (HBOM/SBOM) disclosure requirements; further prohibitions or presumptions against authorizing equipment containing Covered List components or software; certification requirements for devices in Covered List sectors; reforms to equipment importation, marketing, and pre-authorization operation rules; restrictions on use of the FCC logo; streamlined revocation procedures; codification of permissive-change waivers for software, firmware, and hardware updates to covered equipment; codified definitions for UAS, UAS critical components, and routers; term limits on equipment authorizations; registration of Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) devices; modernization of the Commission's equipment authorization database; updates to submarine cable Covered List rules; and a proposal to require a U.S.-based liable party for FCC-certified equipment.

2026-15932, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

Previous: 2025-19998, TRISO-X, LLC; Special Nuclear Material License Application for the TRISO-X Fuel Fabrication Facility; Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing TRISO-X, LLC’s plan to build a new fuel factory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, that makes special nuclear fuel. They’ve extended the time for the public to share their thoughts until December 8, 2025. This project could impact local communities and the environment while boosting advanced nuclear fuel production.

Next: 2025-20003, VA National Academic Affiliations Council, Notice of Meeting

The VA National Academic Affiliations Council is holding a public virtual meeting on December 3, 2025, to discuss updates and plans about VA’s partnerships with academic institutions. Veterans, educators, and the public can join, share ideas, and hear about changes that support VA’s educational mission. No money changes are announced, but this meeting shapes how VA trains future healthcare pros.