FCC Asks Public to Review Paperwork Burden
Published Date: 5/29/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is asking the public and agencies to help reduce paperwork by reviewing their information collection process. They want to know if the info they collect is useful, clear, and not too much work—especially for small businesses. You’ve got until July 28, 2026, to share your thoughts and help make things easier and smarter!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
FCC Station Recordkeeping Burden
If you hold a broadcast or CARS license, you must keep specific station records (authorization, correspondence, maintenance logs, tower-light entries, etc.) and retain them for at least 2 years. The FCC estimates 14,052 respondents, 19,077 responses, a total annual burden of 12,751 hours, and a total annual cost of $6,030,000 under OMB Control Number 3060-0249.
Compliance Required to Keep Licenses
Responding to these information collection requirements is mandatory to obtain or retain the benefit of a license; failure to comply could affect your authorization. The FCC explicitly states the obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain benefits under Section 154(i) of the Communications Act.
Small Business Paperwork Relief Opportunity
The FCC is asking for public comments on ways to reduce paperwork burdens and to further reduce information collection burdens on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. You can submit written comments by July 28, 2026 to suggest ways to shorten forms, use automated collection, or otherwise reduce time and cost for small entities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on July 31, 2026. The text of the Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration inadvertently contained minor editorial errors and incorrectly restated the number of years provided in the definitions of the first and second performance benchmarks, which are corrected as detailed below. We make this correction to improve the clarity and internal consistency of the document.
2026-17516, 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 (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. 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.
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2026-17208, 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 might further reduce the information collection burden for 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 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.
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.
2026-16996, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
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