```

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94714-94715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27800]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 January 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments to Angela 
Bennett, Director of Digital Equity, Office of internet Connectivity 
and Growth, National Telecommunication and Information Administration 
by email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Please 
reference ``FY25 DE Capacity Application Forms Comment'' 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 Angela Bennett, Director of Digital Equity, Grants Management and 
Compliance, by mail to1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4826, 
Washington, DC 20230, via telephone (202) 389-2723, or via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act or 
Act) \1\ 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 multiple broadband 
connectivity grant programs funded by the Act, including the State 
Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (SDECG). The purpose of the SDECG 
is to promote the achievement of digital equity, support digital 
inclusion activities, and build capacity for efforts by States and U.S. 
territories and possessions relating to the adoption of broadband.\2\ 
The SDECG will provide new federal funding in fiscal year 2025 for 
grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of implementing the State 
Digital Equity Plans developed by States and U.S. Territories under the 
State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program \3\ and pursuing digital 
inclusion activities..
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division 
F, Title III, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429, 1209 (November 15, 
2021).
    \2\ 47 U.S.C. 1723(a)(1)(A).
    \3\ 47 U.S.C. 1723(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NTIA will use the information collected from each applicant to the 
SDECG to effectively review the proposed applications and budgets from 
States and U.S. territories and possessions for the State Digital 
Equity Capacity Program.

II. Method of Collection

    NTIA will collect data through electronic submission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0660-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): TBD.
    Type of Review: Regular submission for a new information 
collection.

[[Page 94715]]

    Affected Public: States and territories or possessions of the 
United States applying for Infrastructure Act State Digital Equity 
Capacity Grant Program funding.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 56.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 560 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $26,096.00.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: 47 U.S.C. 1723(c) & (d).

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.
    (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 information collection request (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,
Departmental PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-27800 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P
```