I’m pleased to report that the FCC has begun two formal proceedings on ways to reform its procedures.
The first Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes rule changes to make the Commission’s decision-making processes more open, transparent, fair, and effective. The major proposals in the Ex Parte NPRM include:
The Commission is asking for public comment on all these proposals. In addition, the Commission is seeking comment on other topics, such as revisiting our current exceptions to the Sunshine Period prohibition on ex parte presentations, requiring disclosure of ownership or other information about organizations making filings at the Commission, sanctions and enforcement for violations of the ex parte rules, and how the ex parte rules should apply in the context of new media, such as this blog.
Second, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes some changes to our procedural and organizational rules. The major proposals in this Procedures NPRM include:
We look forward to receiving public input on all these proposals. Because the Commission has begun formal proceedings on these matters, we are closing this blog to further public comment and are instead requesting that comments be filed directly in the Commission’s formal record. Brief comments on the Ex Parte NPRM can be filed at ECFS Express, and brief comments on the Procedures NPRM can be filed here. Longer comments, including those with attachments, can be filed at ECFS and should refer to GC Docket No. 10-43 (Ex Parte NPRM) or GC Docket No. 10-44 (Procedures NPRM). Comments are due on May 10, and reply comments are due on June 8.
Thank you for your interest in reforming the FCC. Please let us know what you think of these proposals, and suggest some of your own. We look forward to having you participate.