Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn is playing catch-up and getting the Commission back up to speed. The October Open Meeting has already been rescheduled and guidance on filing deadlines has been offered.
Clyburn stated, “After a 16-day disruption, the FCC is open for business again. Our number one priority is to resume normal operations as soon as possible, and the Commission’s dedicated staff is working hard toward that goal. We have already taken immediate steps to remedy disruptions caused by the shutdown and will be issuing further guidance very soon. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this extraordinary situation.”
The October meeting, originally scheduled for 10/22/13, has been moved to Monday, 10/28/13. It is modifying the pre-meeting sunshine period, allowing presentations to be made until noon, 10/24/13. The meeting kicks off on the 28th at 11:30 AM Eastern.
The subjects remain the same as originally scheduled and are of no particular interest to broadcasters. The topics on the agenda include rural call completion, interoperability in the 700 MHZ band and implementing public safety broadband provisions as required by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.
Here is the FCC guidance for licensees who missed a filing deadline due to the shutdown:
“Filings, with the exception of NORS filings and certain other specified filings, that were due between October 1 and October 6 will be due on October 22, 2013. Filings, with the exception of NORS filings and certain other specified filings, that were due between October 7 and October 16 will be due 16 days after the original filing date, an extension equivalent to the period of the Commission’s closure. Thus, for example, a filing that would have been due on October 7, will be due on October 23, an extension of 16 days. To the extent the revised due dates for filings under this Public Notice fall on a weekend or other Commission holiday, they will be due on the next business day. Finally, any regulatory and enforcement filings that would otherwise be required to be filed between October 17 and November 4 with the exception of the NORS filings and other specified filings, will be due for filing on November 4, 2013 (which is the first business day following a 16-day period after the Commission’s October 17 reo pening).”
