The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), has scheduled a markup on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building to consider a number of bills aimed at improving transparency and process at the Federal Communications Commission.
“During our two recent hearings on reauthorizing the FCC, we heard proposals from both Republicans and Democrats to increase transparency and improve process at the commission," said Walden. “Considering and advancing worthwhile solutions to increase public participation and ensure accountability at the commission has been a priority of this subcommittee and we will take meaningful steps toward improving how our government operates later this week."
The following discussion drafts will be considered by the subcommittee:
* A discussion draft of the FCC Process Reform Act, authored by subcommittee Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), that aims to increased transparency and predictability at the commission.
* A bill offered by Communications and Technology Subcommittee Vice Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) would require the FCC to publish a list of items that are placed on delegated authority - that is, decided at the bureau level in lieu of a commission vote.
* A bill offered by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) would require the FCC to publish the draft of a rulemaking, order, report or any other action when it is circulated to the commissioners for a vote. The bill does not prevent the FCC from making changes to the item after it has been circulated, but it allows the public to see what the chairman is proposing to the rest of the commission.
* A bill offered by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) would require the FCC to publish new rules on the same day that they are adopted.
* A draft bill, authored by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), that would require the FCC to report quarterly to Congress and to post on the FCC website data on the total number of decisions pending categorized by bureau, the type of request, and how long the requests have been pending. The report also includes a list of pending Congressional investigations and their cost to the agency.
* A draft bill, authored by Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA), that would require the chairman to post the commission’s internal procedures on the FCC website and update the website when the chairman makes any changes.
* A draft bill, authored by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), that would require the FCC to coordinate with the Small Business Administration and issue recommendations to improve small business participation in FCC proceedings.
Members reviewed these proposals during subcommittee hearings on April 30 and May 15.
Electronic copies of the bills can be found on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website here. A background memo, amendments, and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted.
