FCC Seeks Comments on Paperwork Burden
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Broadcasters and cable face disclosure and recordkeeping burden
Broadcast licensees and cable systems must disclose advertiser practices that enhance the value of ad spots, list classes of time (immediately preemptible, preemptible with notice, fixed, fire sale, and make good), calculate the lowest unit charge, and review records to determine candidate rebates or credits; cable systems must also disclose rates, terms, conditions, and value-enhancing discount privileges to candidates. The FCC estimates 17,561 respondents, 403,610 responses, an estimated 0.5 to 20 hours per response, and a total annual burden of 927,269 hours; comments are due by September 10, 2026.
Candidates get lowest ad rate near elections
If you are a political candidate, broadcast stations and cable operators must charge you their “lowest unit charge” for the same class and amount of time during the 45 days before a primary or runoff election and during the 60 days before a general or special election. This rule also requires stations and systems to review their advertising records during the election period to determine whether candidates should receive rebates or credits.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 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.
Next: 2026-16300, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request Generic Clearance for the Collection of Customer Participation and Performance Management With NIH Programs, Products, and Services (Office of the Director)
In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide an opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (NCI) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.