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The Rulemaking Process | |
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The Rulemaking Process Each time Congress enacts a law affecting telecommunications, the FCC develops rules to implement the law. The Commission takes various steps to develop these rules. Typically, these steps offer consumers an opportunity to submit both comments and reply comments to the FCC.
Yes. Knowing your "ABCs," or specifically, one’s NOIs, NPRMs, and R&Os is key to understanding the Commission’s decision-making process. Exactly what do these letters mean? Below is a guide to understanding the "alphabets" of the FCC.
Petition for Reconsideration: If you are not satisfied with the way an issue is resolved in the R&O, you can file a Petition for Reconsideration within 30 days from the date the R&O appears in the Federal Register. Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O): In response to the Petition for Reconsideration, the FCC may issue a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) or an Order on Reconsideration amending the new rules or stating that the rules will not be changed.
No. When the Commission proposes new rules, a period of time is established for the public to comment on the proposed rules. Anyone can file comments. You don’t need to be an attorney or to hire one. Each of the Commission’s documents containing proposed rules clearly details the specific dates, deadlines and locations for filing comments and reply comments. Comments are just that. In your comments, you tell us what you think about the subject topic and why you support or oppose the Commission’s proposals. After initial comments are filed, there is an additional period for responding to the first set of comments. During this second phase, you can file reply comments. In your reply comments you can review what others have said in their initial comments, and then support or disagree.
Yes. The requirements differ, however, depending on whether you file electronically or on paper. Here are some guidelines to help make the paper filing process easier. Docket Number Copies
Type Size Signatures Filings Sent by Mail United States Postal Service First-Class Mail, Express Mail & Priority Mail:
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary Hand-Delivered or Messenger-Delivered Filings:
(Hand or Messenger Delivered accepted between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only) Other Messenger-Delivered Documents,
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary You, or the person making the delivery, should remove the filing package from its box or envelope before submission. The Commission will either sign for receipt of the filing or provide a stamped receipt copy, BUT NOT BOTH. Hand delivered documents are accepted Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, during the hours of 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. You can direct questions to the Office of the Secretary by phone at 202-418-0300 (voice), 202-418-2970 (TTY) or through the Office of the Secretary web site. For more information on mailing, please see our Filing Location Public Notice. Notations You can also file documents with the FCC for all docketed and rulemaking proceedings through our Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), with the exception of Hearing Cases and Table of Allotments. However, you must first obtain the instructions for doing so by sending an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov with the following words noted in the body of the message: "get form <jsmith@domain.com>." ECFS accepts documents 24 hours a day with a midnight filing deadline. The official receipt for electronic filings will reflect Monday through Friday dates, except legal holidays. |
last reviewed/updated on 3/28/06 |
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