FCC Eyes Less Hassle for Small Biz Form-Filling
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to review and comment on their paperwork plans to make sure they’re not too much work, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want to keep things simple and legal by getting approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Comments are due by December 22, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Broadcasters Face PSIP Reporting Burden
Broadcasters are required to provide the detailed PSIP program information; the collection lists 1,767 respondents with an estimated 0.50 hours per response and a total annual burden of 45,942 hours. This information collection is required to obtain or retain benefits under the Communications Act.
Operator Services Must Disclose Call Rates
Operator Service Providers must audibly disclose, at no charge and before connecting any interstate call, how to get rate quotations and any surcharges under 47 CFR 64.703(a); similar requirements apply to inmate calls under 47 CFR 64.710. The collection lists 1,418 respondents, 11,250,150 responses, and a total annual cost of $156,000.
Accessibility Rules Help Blind and Visually Impaired
Under the CVAA-related collections (sections 79.107–79.110), manufacturers and MVPDs must provide information and procedures so people who are blind or visually impaired can get accessible digital apparatus and navigation devices; the collection lists 5,599 respondents, 546,277 responses, a total annual burden of 39,350 hours, and an annual cost burden of $74,100. Consumers can use submitted information to request accessible devices and may provide reasonable proof of disability to obtain equipment or services at lower prices.
FCC Seeks Relief Input from Very Small Businesses
The FCC is asking the public for comments and specifically requests ideas on how to reduce paperwork burden for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. You can submit comments through www.reginfo.gov; comments are due by December 22, 2025.
TV Stations Must Send Detailed Program Guides
Under the ATSC PSIP standard A/65C, broadcasters must provide detailed program information in Event Information Tables (EITs) so digital TV receivers show things like closed captions, multiple streams, and program details. The rule replaces the older A/65-B standard by requiring more detailed program guide information.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16615, Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions-2026
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review (Sep. 30, 1993), requires each agency to publish a regulatory agenda (Agenda) of regulations under development or review during the next year which will be included in the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). The Agenda required by Executive Order 12866 must include all regulations the agency expects to develop or review during the next 12 months, regardless of whether they may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Executive Order 12866 provides that agencies may combine this agenda with the regulatory flexibility agenda required under the RFA. To help keep the public informed of significant rulemaking proceedings and meet its obligations under the RFA and Executive Order 12866, the Commission has prepared Agenda entries providing a brief description and summary of each regulatory activity that is currently planned for the 12 months, subject to revision, including the objectives and legal basis for each, and the name and telephone number of an agency official who is knowledgeable about items in the agenda. The Commission's Agenda entries published in the Federal Register are only those entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities pursuant to the RFA. The Commission's complete list of regulatory and deregulatory actions for the Unified Agenda will be published on the internet in a searchable format at www.reginfo.gov.
2026-16590, FCC To Review E-Rate Program To Ensure Congress's Vision
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on measures the Commission can take to better protect children when using E-Rate-funded networks, the Commission's progress in ensuring affordable access to high-speed broadband to and within schools and libraries, and whether the Commission's current interpretation of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the best reading of the statute. The Commission also proposes actions to strengthen E-Rate program integrity and streamline program administration.
2026-16503, Empowering Broadband Consumers Through Transparency
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) eliminates or modifies certain broadband label requirements to ensure that consumers have clear, accurate, and concise information when shopping for broadband plans. Specifically, the Commission enables providers to describe label information in a natural, conversational style over the phone; simplify fee presentation to avoid clutter; remove outdated information from the label; use links or icons at point-of-sale to avoid unwieldy amounts of information that can overwhelm consumers; and eliminate requirements that go beyond our mandate. At the same time, the Commission ensures the labels remain accessible to people with disabilities, and that labels are displayed in the same language(s) used when marketing a service.
2026-16317, Television Broadcasting Services St. George, Utah
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 KUTV Licensee, LLC (Licensee), the Licensee of full service television station KMYU(TV) (KMYU or Station), St. George, Utah (St. George). The Licensee applied for a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel 21 at St. George, which remains pending, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 in the Table with technical parameters set forth in KMYU's current license. The Media Bureau previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Licensee to substitute UHF channel 21 for VHF channel 9 at St. George. The Licensee later filed an application for a CP for its new channel, however, under further consideration and restraints, wishes to abandon its plans to modify its license for KMYU to operate on channel 21, and proposes to continue to operate on VHF channel 9 and specify the technical parameters of its currently licensed VHF channel 9 facility. The substitution of VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 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 9 can be substituted for UHF channel 21 at St. George as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Sec. 73.618(a) of the Commission's rules.
2026-16299, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it can further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
2026-16298, 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 / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20432, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service wants to keep collecting quick feedback from customers to improve their services. They’re asking for public comments by December 22, 2025, to make sure this info collection is useful and not too much work. This helps them serve you better without costing extra money or time.
Next: 2025-20434, Notice for the Request of Applications: 2026-2027 EXIM Advisory Committees
The Export-Import Bank is looking for new members to join its 2026-2027 Advisory Committees, including one focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. If you have experience in exports or finance and want to help shape policies that support American jobs and global trade, now’s your chance! Applications are open from November 19 to December 19, 2025, so don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to make a difference.