FCC Asks OMB to Okay More Paperwork Anyway
Published Date: 8/24/2026
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 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New Disclosure & Certification Rules
If you participate in FCC funding programs, you must disclose prior misconduct and certify compliance under penalty of perjury when required. Disclosures must report if you are presently excluded or disqualified, convicted of offenses listed in section 180.800(a), currently indicted or charged, or had a public transaction terminated within the preceding three years; if no disclosure is required you must instead certify that no disclosure is required.
Certify Compliance On Program Forms
For many FCC funding programs you must provide an assurance or certify compliance with the new suspension and debarment rules when you file program forms. Affected programs and forms named include Lifeline (FCC Form 481), Rural Health Care (FCC Forms 462, 466, 463, 469), E-Rate (FCC Forms 471, 479, 474), Cybersecurity Pilot (Pilot FCC Form 484 and Pilot Form(s) 474), High-Cost (FCC Form 481), TRS (applications and annual reports), and NDBEDP (applications for state certification). You must also ensure downstream contractors/subcontractors/consultants comply with reporting rules.
Paperwork Burden: 75,255 Respondents; 244,185 Hours
The FCC estimates 75,255 unique respondents and 170,259 unique responses for these collections, with an estimated 1-2 hours per response and a total annual burden of 244,185 hours. The FCC states 'Total Annual Cost: No Cost' and lists the new OMB control number as 3060-XXXX.
Obligation to Notify if Excluded
If you are an FCC program participant who is currently excluded on the effective date of these rules, you must notify the Commission of that status; if you are later suspended or debarred by another federal agency, you must notify the Commission within 30 days. These notifications are required to avoid distributing federal funds to ineligible participants.
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Key Dates
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