At its final Open Meeting of 2024, the FCC on December 11 adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on the elimination or updating of several rules applicable to broadcast stations, as well as other changes intended to clarify ambiguities and to make the rules consistent with current procedures.
The NPRM covers minor rule updates, including:
- Replacing references to the Consolidated Database System (CDBS), with references to the Licensing Management System (LMS);
- Updating Form Names;
- Updating inconsistent terminology referring to the Table of Assignments/Allotments;
- Removing obsolete television Incentive Auction rule language; and
- Consolidating rules for petitions to deny under Section 73.3584.
The FCC is also proposing to codify existing Commission interpretations and practices into the rules. For example, the NPRM proposes to:
- Codify the current practice of interpreting Section 73.870(e) to mean that LPFM minor modification applications received on the same day will be treated as simultaneously filed;
- Update Section 73.807 to reflect the existing interpretation of the term “authorized” station as including construction permittees in addition to licensees;
- Codify when applicants for new NCE FM, NCE TV, or LPFM construction permits must give local public notice of their applications; and
- Codify the existing interpretation of the “Signature Rule” (Section 73.3513) allowing “directors” of corporations to sign FCC applications, and to expand the universe of who may sign an FCC application on behalf of a corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association to include a “duly authorized employee.”
With respect to more substantive revisions, the NPRM is proposing to: