FCC Begs Public: Help Us Cut Our Own Paperwork Madness
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and small businesses to share their thoughts on how to make government paperwork easier and less time-consuming. They want feedback by March 27, 2026, to help reduce the burden, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This is part of a bigger effort to keep things simple and efficient without costing extra money or time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Broadcast auction application costs
Entities that participate in FCC broadcast auctions must submit ownership and bidding exhibits and other data; the FCC estimates 2,000 respondents, 5,350 responses, 6,663 annual hours, and an annual cost burden of $12,332,500 (OMB Control Number 3060-0896). These exhibits determine bidder qualification and bidding credit eligibility.
Cable must‑carry recordkeeping burden
Cable operators must keep public lists of all broadcast stations they carry and respond in writing within 30 days to requests identifying carried signals. The FCC estimates 4,103 business respondents, 49,236 responses, and a total annual burden of 24,618 hours for this collection (OMB Control Number 3060-0548); some notices must be provided by June 2, 1993 and annually thereafter.
Customer service and notice rules for cable
Cable operators must provide written customer information at installation and annually, give 30 days' advance notice of rate or service changes, and respond to billing complaints within 30 days; some required notices may be delivered by email if consumer safeguards are met. The FCC lists OMB Control Number 3060-0652 with 540 respondents, 1,102,100 responses, and a total annual burden of 34,650 hours.
NCE stations fundraising disclosure rules
Noncommercial educational (NCE) stations that interrupt programming to fundraise for third‑party nonprofits must air disclosures at the start, end, and once per hour of a fundraising program and place quarterly fundraising details in the local public inspection file by the 10th day of the following quarter. The FCC lists OMB Control Number 3060-1174 with 2,200 respondents, 33,000 responses, and a total annual burden of 16,500 hours.
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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: 2026-03746, Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
The FCC and USAC are teaming up with Puerto Rico’s Department of the Family to double-check who qualifies for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which help low-income folks get cheaper internet and phone service. This new computer matching program starts March 27, 2026, runs for 18 months, and aims to keep benefits fair and accurate. If you’re involved, watch for updates and get ready to share info if asked!
Next: 2026-03750, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules to make sure they’re useful and not too much work, especially for small businesses. They want your thoughts on how to keep things clear and easy while still doing their job right. If you have ideas or concerns, send them in by April 27, 2026, so the FCC can keep things running smoothly without wasting time or money.