Legislative Trifecta Unveiled As FCC Transparency Set to Take Center Stage

Members of the House Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee unveiled three draft proposals to improve transparency at the Federal Communications Commission. The three draft bills will be the focus of a Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m. The hearing, entitled “FCC Reauthorization: Improving Commission Transparency,” will feature testimony from FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. “We’ve got a trifecta for transparency. These bills are excellent next steps for our #CommActUpdate as we continue work to reform the FCC,” said Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “At our hearing next week, Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner O’Rielly’s testimony will help shine the spotlight on current commission practices as we take a look at three commonsense proposals to improve transparency at the FCC. At the end of the day, more transparency is always better.” During the week of April 27, the subcommittee will review three draft bills to provide the public increased access to decision-making information and final rules at the FCC. These measures are a part of the subcommittee’s work toward reauthorizing the commission to make government work better for the American people.

• A draft 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 draft 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 draft bill offered by Rep Renee Ellmers (R-NC) would require the FCC to publish new rules on the same day that they are adopted.