The FCC has put a number of bodies of regulation on the table under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, for the purpose of determining if they should be revised or eliminated, and is inviting comments from stakeholders and the general public. The goal is to “determine whether such rules should be continued without change, or should be amended or rescinded … to minimize any significant economic impact of such rules upon a substantial number of small entities.” The rules on the table are those with a birthday any time in the year 1998. The review will be ongoing for the next 12 months.
“In reviewing each rule … 610 the FCC will consider the following factors:
(a) the continued need for the rule;
(b) the nature of complaints or comments received concerning the rule from the public;
(c) the complexity of the rule;
(d) the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other federal rules and, to the extent feasible, with State and local governmental rules; and
(e) the length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule.”
Among the items of interest to broadcasters that are p for review are rules concerning:
* Competitive bidding proceedings
* Frequency allocations and radio treaty matters
* Equipment authorization procedures
* Emergency Alert System matters, including emergency operations and tests
* Commercial radio operators (how they are licensed)
* Radio frequency devices
