Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program, 22717-22718 [2024-06933]
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices
310(b) petitions or petitions) related to
common carrier wireless, aeronautical
en route, and aeronautical fixed radio
station licenses (collectively, wireless
common carrier licenses) and to
incorporate the new requirements.
First, the 2020 Executive Branch
Review Order and the 2021 Executive
Branch Standard Questions Order create
new requirements associated with
certain applications, including section
310(b) petitions that will be reviewed by
the relevant Executive Branch agencies
for national security, law enforcement,
foreign policy, and trade policy issues
as well as other changes.
In the 2020 Executive Branch Review
Order, the Commission adopted rules
and procedures to facilitate a more
streamlined and transparent review
process for coordinating applications
with the Executive Branch agencies. The
Commission also established firm time
frames for the Executive Branch
agencies to complete their review
consistent with Executive Order 13913,
which established the Committee for the
Assessment of Foreign Participation in
the United States Telecommunications
Services Sector (the Committee).
Specifically, under the new rules, the
Committee has 120 days for initial
review, plus an additional 90 days for
secondary assessment if the Committee
determines that the risk to national
security or law enforcement interests
cannot be mitigated with standard
mitigation measures. The Commission
also adopted and codified five
categories of information for which
applicants must provide detailed and
comprehensive information to the
Committee.
Second, in the 2021 Executive Branch
Standards Questions Order, the
Commission adopted the Standard
Questions—a baseline set of national
security and law enforcement questions
covering the five categories of
information described above. The
responses to the Standard Questions
will replace the information that
petitioners currently provide to the
Committee on an individualized basis.
The Standard Questions consist of six
separate questionnaires (based on
subject matter) and a supplement for the
provision of personally identifiable
information (PII). Petitioners will be
required to submit their responses to the
Standard Questions and a copy of the
section 310(b) petition, directly with the
Committee. Broadcast petitioners will
be required to answer Standard
Questions specific to broadcast
licensees and common carrier wireless
petitioners will be required to answer
Standard Questions specific to common
carrier licenses as well as a general PII
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:06 Apr 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
supplement applicable to all
respondents to the Standard Questions.
Finally, the Commission is in the
process of modernizing ICFS (ICFS
Modernization). Common carrier
wireless section 310(b) petitions are
filed through ICFS while broadcast
section 310(b) petitions are filed
through the Media Bureau’s Licensing
and Management System (LMS) when
submitted with a broadcast construction
permit, assignment, or transfer of
control application. The ICFS
Modernization includes developing
forms for the submission of petitions
related to common carrier wireless
licenses to improve the Commission’s
information collection and comply with
the new requirements. Until the new
ICFS forms are approved, common
carrier wireless section 310(b)
petitioners will be required to provide
the information required by the 2020
Executive Branch Review Order and the
2021 Executive Branch Standard
Questions Order by filing current
petitions and filing separate documents
into ICFS to comply with the rules. We
estimate that the projected completion
date for the modernized ICFS, including
all forms related to common carrier
wireless section 310(b) petitions, will be
July 2024.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–06958 Filed 4–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[FR ID: 211950]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice of a new matching
program.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(‘‘Privacy Act’’), this document
announces a new computer matching
program the Federal Communications
Commission (‘‘FCC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’
or ‘‘Agency’’) and the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) will
conduct with the Connecticut
Department of Social Services. The
purpose of this matching program is to
verify the eligibility of applicants to and
subscribers of Lifeline, and the
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP),
both of which are administered by
USAC under the direction of the FCC.
More information about these programs
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
22717
is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY
section below.
DATES: Written comments are due on or
before May 2, 2024. This computer
matching program will commence on
May 2, 2024, and will conclude 18
months after the effective date.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Elliot S.
Tarloff, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to Privacy@
fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elliot S. Tarloff at 202–418–0886 or
Privacy@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Lifeline program provides support for
discounted broadband and voice
services to low-income consumers.
Lifeline is administered by the
Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) under FCC direction.
Consumers qualify for Lifeline through
proof of income or participation in a
qualifying program, such as Medicaid,
the Supplemental Nutritional
Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal
Public Housing Assistance,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit,
or various Tribal-specific federal
assistance programs.
In the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2021, Public Law 116–260, 134
Stat. 1182, 2129–36 (2020), Congress
created the Emergency Broadband
Benefit Program, and directed use of the
National Verifier to determine eligibility
based on various criteria, including the
qualifications for Lifeline (Medicaid,
SNAP, etc.). EBBP provided $3.2 billion
in monthly consumer discounts for
broadband service and one-time
provider reimbursement for a connected
device (laptop, desktop computer or
tablet). In the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act, Public Law 117–58, 135
Stat. 429, 1238–44 (2021) (codified at 47
U.S.C. 1751–52), Congress modified and
extended EBBP, provided an additional
$14.2 billion, and renamed it the
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
A household may qualify for the ACP
benefit under various criteria, including
an individual qualifying for the FCC’s
Lifeline program.
In a Report and Order adopted on
March 31, 2016, (81 FR 33026, May 24,
2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization
Order), the Commission ordered USAC
to create a National Lifeline Eligibility
Verifier (‘‘National Verifier’’), including
the National Lifeline Eligibility Database
(LED), that would match data about
Lifeline applicants and subscribers with
other data sources to verify the
eligibility of an applicant or subscriber.
The Commission found that the
National Verifier would reduce
INFORMATION
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02APN1
22718
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices
compliance costs for Lifeline service
providers, improve service for Lifeline
subscribers, and reduce waste, fraud,
and abuse in the program.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act
of 2021 directs the FCC to leverage the
National Verifier to verify applicants’
eligibility for ACP. The purpose of this
matching program is to verify the
eligibility of Lifeline and ACP
applicants and subscribers by
determining whether they receive SNAP
benefits administered by the
Connecticut Department of Social
Services.
Participating Agencies
Connecticut Department of Social
Services (source agency); Federal
Communications Commission (recipient
agency) and Universal Service
Administrative Company.
Authority for Conducting the Matching
Program
The authority to conduct the
matching program for the FCC’s ACP is
47 U.S.C. 1752(a)–(b). The authority to
conduct the matching program for the
FCC’s Lifeline program is 47 U.S.C.
254(a)–(c), (j).
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Purpose(s)
The purpose of this new matching
agreement is to verify the eligibility of
applicants and subscribers to Lifeline,
as well as to ACP and other Federal
programs that use qualification for
Lifeline as an eligibility criterion. This
new agreement will permit eligibility
verification for the Lifeline program and
ACP by checking an applicant’s/
subscriber’s participation in SNAP in
Connecticut. Under FCC rules,
consumers receiving these benefits
qualify for Lifeline discounts and also
for ACP benefits.
Categories of Individuals
The categories of individuals whose
information is involved in the matching
program include, but are not limited to,
those individuals who have applied for
Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are
currently receiving Lifeline and/or ACP
benefits; are individuals who enable
another individual in their household to
qualify for Lifeline and/or ACP benefits;
are minors whose status qualifies a
parent or guardian for Lifeline and/or
ACP benefits; or are individuals who
have received Lifeline and/or ACP
benefits.
Categories of Records
The categories of records involved in
the matching program include the last
four digits of the applicant’s Social
Security Number, date of birth, and first
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:06 Apr 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
and last name. The National Verifier
will transfer these data elements to the
Connecticut Department of Social
Services which will respond either
‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ that the individual is
enrolled in a qualifying assistance
program: SNAP administered by the
Connecticut Department of Social
Services.
System(s) of Records
The records shared as part of this
matching program reside in the Lifeline
system of records, FCC/WCB–1,
Lifeline, which was published in the
Federal Register at 86 FR 11526 (Feb.
25, 2021).
The records shared as part of this
matching program reside in the ACP
system of records, FCC/WCB–3,
Affordable Connectivity Program, which
was published in the Federal Register at
86 FR 71494 (Dec. 16, 2021).
Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–06933 Filed 4–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[OMB 3060–0819; FR ID 211757]
Information Collection Being Reviewed
by the Federal Communications
Commission
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
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
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
collection burden on small business
concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
DATES: Written PRA comments should
be submitted on or before June 3, 2024.
If you anticipate that you will be
submitting comments, but find it
difficult to do so within the period of
time allowed by this notice, you should
advise the contact listed below as soon
as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email PRA@
fcc.gov and to nicole.ongele@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information about the
information collection, contact Nicole
Ongele, (202) 418–2991.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FCC
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.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0819.
Title: Bridging the Digital Divide for
Low-Income Consumers, Lifeline and
Link Up Reform and Modernization,
Telecommunications Carriers Eligible
for Universal Service Support.
Form No.: FCC Form 481, 497, 555,
5629, 5630, and 5631.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Individuals or
households and business or other forprofit enterprises.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 25,110,068 respondents;
26,877,412 responses.
Estimated Time per Response:
0.0167–125 hours.
Frequency of Response: Annual,
biennial, monthly, daily and on
occasion reporting requirements,
recordkeeping requirement and thirdparty disclosure requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
authority is contained in Sections 1,
4(i), 5, 201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 254,
303(r), and 403 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, and section
706 of the Communications Act of 1996,
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 155,
201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 254, 303(r), 403,
and 1302.
Total Annual Burden: 6,534,382
hours.
Total Annual Cost: $937,500.
Needs and Uses: The Commission
provides updates to the existing FCC
Form 5629 to implement the Safe
Connections Act Order, FCC 23–96, to
include information for survivors
E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM
02APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22717-22718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06933]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 211950]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of a new matching program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces a new computer matching
program the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'' or
``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) will conduct with the Connecticut Department of Social
Services. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the
eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, and the
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), both of which are administered
by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about these
programs is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
DATES: Written comments are due on or before May 2, 2024. This computer
matching program will commence on May 2, 2024, and will conclude 18
months after the effective date.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Elliot S. Tarloff, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot S. Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lifeline program provides support for
discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers.
Lifeline is administered by the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) under FCC direction. Consumers qualify for Lifeline
through proof of income or participation in a qualifying program, such
as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP),
Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or various Tribal-specific
federal assistance programs.
In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260,
134 Stat. 1182, 2129-36 (2020), Congress created the Emergency
Broadband Benefit Program, and directed use of the National Verifier to
determine eligibility based on various criteria, including the
qualifications for Lifeline (Medicaid, SNAP, etc.). EBBP provided $3.2
billion in monthly consumer discounts for broadband service and one-
time provider reimbursement for a connected device (laptop, desktop
computer or tablet). In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,
Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429, 1238-44 (2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C.
1751-52), Congress modified and extended EBBP, provided an additional
$14.2 billion, and renamed it the Affordable Connectivity Program
(ACP). A household may qualify for the ACP benefit under various
criteria, including an individual qualifying for the FCC's Lifeline
program.
In a Report and Order adopted on March 31, 2016, (81 FR 33026, May
24, 2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order), the Commission ordered
USAC to create a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (``National
Verifier''), including the National Lifeline Eligibility Database
(LED), that would match data about Lifeline applicants and subscribers
with other data sources to verify the eligibility of an applicant or
subscriber. The Commission found that the National Verifier would
reduce
[[Page 22718]]
compliance costs for Lifeline service providers, improve service for
Lifeline subscribers, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the
program.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directs the FCC to
leverage the National Verifier to verify applicants' eligibility for
ACP. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility
of Lifeline and ACP applicants and subscribers by determining whether
they receive SNAP benefits administered by the Connecticut Department
of Social Services.
Participating Agencies
Connecticut Department of Social Services (source agency); Federal
Communications Commission (recipient agency) and Universal Service
Administrative Company.
Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
The authority to conduct the matching program for the FCC's ACP is
47 U.S.C. 1752(a)-(b). The authority to conduct the matching program
for the FCC's Lifeline program is 47 U.S.C. 254(a)-(c), (j).
Purpose(s)
The purpose of this new matching agreement is to verify the
eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline, as well as to
ACP and other Federal programs that use qualification for Lifeline as
an eligibility criterion. This new agreement will permit eligibility
verification for the Lifeline program and ACP by checking an
applicant's/subscriber's participation in SNAP in Connecticut. Under
FCC rules, consumers receiving these benefits qualify for Lifeline
discounts and also for ACP benefits.
Categories of Individuals
The categories of individuals whose information is involved in the
matching program include, but are not limited to, those individuals who
have applied for Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are currently receiving
Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; are individuals who enable another
individual in their household to qualify for Lifeline and/or ACP
benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or guardian for
Lifeline and/or ACP benefits; or are individuals who have received
Lifeline and/or ACP benefits.
Categories of Records
The categories of records involved in the matching program include
the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security Number, date of
birth, and first and last name. The National Verifier will transfer
these data elements to the Connecticut Department of Social Services
which will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is
enrolled in a qualifying assistance program: SNAP administered by the
Connecticut Department of Social Services.
System(s) of Records
The records shared as part of this matching program reside in the
Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline, which was published in
the Federal Register at 86 FR 11526 (Feb. 25, 2021).
The records shared as part of this matching program reside in the
ACP system of records, FCC/WCB-3, Affordable Connectivity Program,
which was published in the Federal Register at 86 FR 71494 (Dec. 16,
2021).
Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-06933 Filed 4-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
