HR-290 : Still Just a Bill

Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2017

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) adopt rules concerning rulemaking comment and reply periods, public notices, petition dispositions, the specific language of proposed rules or amendments to be included in proposed rulemaking notices, and performance measures to be included in certain proposed rulemakings or orders that would create or substantially change a program activity; (2) establish procedures for publishing reports regarding the cost of congressional investigations and the status of FCC rulemakings and reviews; (3) seek public comment regarding a bipartisan majority of commissioners' authority to place items on an open meeting agenda, deadlines for the disposition of certain license applications, and whether to publish orders or decisions within 30 days after adoption; (4) consult with the Small Business Administration to improve participation of small businesses in FCC proceedings; and (5) initiate a new rulemaking proceeding every five years to continue consideration of procedural rule changes.

A bipartisan majority of commissioners may hold a nonpublic meeting, including a meeting to collaborate with joint boards or conferences, if: (1) no votes or actions are taken, (2) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present, and (3) the meeting is disclosed subsequently within two business days.

The bill establishes requirements concerning: (1) the budgets, agency documents, policies, and consumer complaint information required to be made publicly available on the FCC website; (2) Federal Register publications; (3) the FCC's performance in meeting Freedom of Information Act disclosure requirements; and (4) reports to Congress.

In compiling its quarterly report on informal consumer inquiries and complaints, the FCC is prohibited from categorizing an inquiry or complaint under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (places restrictions on telephone solicitations and automatic dialing systems) as a wireline or wireless inquiry or complaint unless a wireline or wireless carrier was the subject of the inquiry or complaint.

The Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act is amended to extend through December 31, 2021, the waiver of certain limitations on: (1) expending, obligating, or apportioning appropriations with respect to federal universal service contributions collected or received under the Communications Act of 1934; and (2) expending or obligating funds attributable to such contributions for universal service support programs.

For any item adopted by an FCC vote, the FCC must publish on its website the text of such item within 24 hours after the FCC secretary has received dissenting statements from all commissioners wishing to submit a statement.