FCC Checks If Its Forms Are Still a Paper Pain
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in with the public and businesses to see if their paperwork requests are really needed and easy to handle. They want to cut down on extra forms and make things simpler, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until February 17, 2026, to share them—no fees or penalties involved, just a chance to help make things better!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Filing Schedule 345: Time and Money Burden
If you file Form 2100, Schedule 345 to seek FCC consent to assign or transfer an FM/TV translator or low-power TV license, the FCC estimates 1,700 respondents and 3,900 responses. The agency estimates 0.075–1.25 hours per response, a total annual burden of 3,013 hours, and total annual cost of $4,168,379 under OMB Control Number 3060-0075; filing is required to obtain or retain authorization for an assignment or transfer.
Small Businesses (Under 25 Employees) Invited
The FCC specifically asks for ideas to reduce paperwork burdens on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees and requests written comments by February 17, 2026. This is an opportunity for small broadcasters to tell the agency how to make forms and processes easier for small entities.
Local Public Notice and On-Air Announcement Rules
Applicants to assign or transfer a translator, booster, or LPTV authorization must post online notice for 30 consecutive days beginning within five business days of application acceptance and link to the application in the Commission's LMS. Applicants for LPTV stations that locally originate programming must also make six on-air announcements notifying that their application was accepted for filing.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16995, Information Collection Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Review and Approval
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the 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 Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
2026-16993, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
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.
2026-16997, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
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.
2026-16996, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking for public feedback on a new paperwork collection related to space launch coordination. This affects businesses, nonprofits, and governments who might spend 4 to 16 hours filling out forms. Comments are due by October 19, 2026, helping the FCC reduce hassle and improve the process without extra costs.
2026-16740, Information Collection Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Review and Approval
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the 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 Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23307, 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification and Pilot Program
HUD wants your thoughts on collecting info for a program that helps veterans fix and improve their homes. This is a quick 30-day check to keep the paperwork smooth and easy, with no changes to the forms. If you care about veterans’ housing, speak up by January 20, 2026—this helps keep the program running without extra costs or delays.
Next: 2025-23309, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking the public and agencies to help reduce paperwork by reviewing and commenting on their information collection process. This affects anyone who provides info to the FCC, especially small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due by February 17, 2026, and the goal is to make things easier, clearer, and less costly for everyone involved.