# Rural Health Care Support Mechanism
**AGENCY:**
Federal Communications Commission.
**ACTION:**
Announcement of effective date.
**SUMMARY:**
On November 16, 2007, in the *Universal Service Rural Health Care Pilot Program Selection Order,* 22 FCC Rcd 20,360 ( *2007 RHC Selection Order* ), the Commission selected 69 participants for the Universal Service Rural Health Care (RHC) Pilot Program established by the Commission in the *2006 Pilot Program Order,* 71 FR 65517, November 8, 2006, pursuant to section 254(h)(2)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act). As a result, selected participants will be eligible to receive funding for up to 85 percent of the costs associated with: (1) The construction of a state or regional broadband networks and the advanced telecommunications and information services provided over those networks; (2) connecting to Internet 2 or National LambdaRail (NLR); and (3) connecting to the public Internet. The information collection requirements in the *2007 RHC Selection Order* required Office of Management and Budget approval. This document announces the effective date of these information collection requirements.
**DATES:**
The information collection requirements became effective on January 17, 2008.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Thomas Buckley, Senior Deputy Chief or Jennifer Prime, Attorney, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, (202) 418-7400, TTY (202) 418-0484.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
The *2007 RHC Selection Order* stated that the Commission would publish a notice announcing the effective date of the information collection requirements. On January 17, 2008, OMB approved the information collection requirements contained in the *2007 RHC Selection Order* pursuant to OMB Control No. 3060-0804, Universal Service—Rural Health Care Program/Rural Health Care Pilot Program. Accordingly, the information collection requirements contained in the *2007 RHC Selection Order* became effective on January 17, 2008. The expiration date for the information collection is July 31, 2008.
Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Questions concerning this information collection, 3060-0804, should be directed to Leslie F. Smith, Federal Communications Commission, and (202) 418-0217 or via the Internet at *[email protected].*
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.