Notice2024-00968
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 19, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Telecommunications and Information Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which help us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 3639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00968]
[[Page 3639]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native
Entities
AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information
collections, which help us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before March 19, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by
mail to Arica Cox, Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Grants Management
and Compliance, Office of internet Connectivity and Growth, National
Telecommunication and Information Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4826, Washington, DC 20230,
or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3d5f4f525c595f5c5359484e5c7d5349545c135a524b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f597879a949197949b91808694b59b819c94db929a83">[email protected]</span></a>. Please reference ``Comment on
Digital Equity Application Forms for Native Entities'' in the subject
line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information
or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Arica Cox, Telecommunications Policy Analyst, Grants Management and
Compliance, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4826, Washington, DC
20230, via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eb8a888493ab859f828ac58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f6e6c60774f617b666e21686079">[email protected]</span></a> or via telephone at (202) 482-2048.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021 (``Infrastructure
Act'' or ``Act''), which was adopted on November 15, 2021, and is also
known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provided $65 billion of
funding for programs to close the digital divide and ensure that all
Americans have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.
NTIA administers six broadband connectivity grant programs funded by
the Act, including the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program
(``Planning Grant Program'') and the State Digital Equity Capacity
Grant Program (``Capacity Grant Program''). The Planning Grant Program
provides federal funding for grants to eligible applicants for the
purpose of developing Digital Equity Plans. Through these Plans,
entities will, among other things, identify barriers to digital equity
in the State and strategies for overcoming those barriers. The Capacity
Grant Program will provide federal funding to eligible applicants for
the purpose of implementing the State Digital Equity Plans and pursuing
digital inclusion activities consistent with the State Digital Equity
Plan. In addition, the Capacity Grant Program will provide new federal
funding for grants to Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native
Hawaiian organizations (``Native Entities'') to undertake digital
equity planning activities and implement digital inclusion activities,
consistent with the Planning Grant Program and the Capacity Grant
Program.
NTIA will use the information collected from each Native Entity
applicant to effectively review the proposed applications and budgets
of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian
organizations applying for funding under the Digital Equity Planning
and Capacity Programs.
II. Method of Collection
NTIA will collect data through both electronic and mail submission.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0660-XXXX.
Form Number(s): TBD.
Type of Review: Regular submission for a new information
collection.
Affected Public: Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native
Hawaiian organizations applying for Infrastructure Act Broadband Grant
Program funding.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 475.
Estimated Time Per Response: 16 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,760 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $264,207.80.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Sections 60304(c) and 60304(d) of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law 117-58, 135
Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021).
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-00968 Filed 1-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P
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