The Federal Communications Commission is composed of five (5) members who are appointed by the president subject to confirmation by the Senate. Normally, one Commissioner is appointed or reappointed each year, for a term of five (5) years.

(a) One of the members of the Commission is designated by the President to serve as Chairman, or chief executive officer, of the Commission. As Chairman, he has the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) To preside at all meetings and sessions of the Commission.

(2) To represent the Commission in all matters relating to legislation and legislative reports; however, any other Commissioner may present his own or minority views or supplemental reports.

(3) To represent the Commission in all matters requiring conferences or communications with other governmental officers, departments or agencies.

(4) To coordinate and organize the work of the Commission in such a manner as to promote prompt and efficient disposition of all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(b) The Commission will, in the case of a vacancy in the Office of the Chairman of the Commission, or in the absence or inability of the Chairman to serve, temporarily designate one of its members to act as Chairman until the cause or circumstance requiring such designation has been eliminated or corrected.

(a) Principal staff units. The Commission is assisted in the performance of its responsibilities by its staff, which is divided into the following principal units:

(1) Office of Managing Director.

(2) Office of Engineering and Technology.

(3) Office of General Counsel.

(4) Office of Plans and Policy.

(5) Office of Public Affairs.

(6) Office of Legislative Affairs.

(7) Office of Administrative Law Judges.

(8) Office of Inspector General.

(9) Mass Media Bureau.

(10) Common Carrier Bureau.

(11) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

(12) International Bureau.

(13) Cable Services Bureau.

(14) Compliance and Information Bureau.

(b) Staff responsibilities and functions. The organization and functions of these major staff units are described in detail in §§ 0.11 through 0.151. The defense and emergency preparedness functions of the Commission are set forth separately, beginning at § 0.181. For a complete description of staff functions, reference should be made to those provisions. (See also the U.S. Government Organization Manual, which contains a chart showing the Commission's organization, the names of the members and principal staff officers of the Commission, and other information concerning the Commission.)

(c) Delegations of authority to the staff. Pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act, the Commission has delegated authority to its staff to act on matters which are minor or routine or settled in nature and those in which immediate action may be necessary. See subpart B of this part. Actions taken under delegated authority are subject to review by the Commission, on its own motion or on an application for review filed by a person aggrieved by the action. Except for the possibility of review, actions taken under delegated authority have the same force and effect as actions taken by the Commission. The delegation of authority to a staff officer, however, does not mean that he will exercise that authority in all matters subject to the delegation. In non-hearing matters, the staff is at liberty to refer any matter at any stage to the Commission for action, upon concluding that it involves matters warranting the Commission's consideration, and the Commission may instruct the staff to do so.

(d) Commission action. Matters requiring Commission action, or warranting its consideration, are dealt with by the Commission at regular monthly meetings, or at special meetings called to consider a particular matter. Meetings are normally held at the principal offices of the Commission in the District of Columbia, but may be held elsewhere in the United States. In appropriate circumstances, Commission action may be taken between meetings “by circulation”, which involves the submission of a document to each of the Commissioners for his approval.

(a) The Managing Director is appointed by the Chairman with the approval of the Commission. Under the supervision and direction of the Chairman, the Managing Director shall serve as the Commission's chief operating and executive official with the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Provide managerial leadership to and exercise supervision and direction over the Commission's Bureaus and Offices with respect to management and administrative matters but not substantive regulatory matters such as regulatory policy and rule making, authorization of service, administration of sanctions, and adjudication.

(2) Formulate and administer all management and administrative policies, programs, and directives for the Commission consistent with authority delegated by the Commission and the Chairman and recommend to the Chairman and the Commission major changes in such policies and programs.

(3) Assist the Chairman in carrying out the administrative and executive responsibilities delegated to the Chairman as the administrative head of the agency.

(4) Advise the Chairman and Commission on management, administrative, and related matters; review and evaluate the programs and procedures of the Commission; initiate action or make recommendations as may be necessary to administer the Communications Act most effectively in the public interest. Assess the management, administrative, and resource implications of any proposed action or decision to be taken by the Commission or by a Bureau or Office under delegated authority; recommend to the Chairman and Commission program priorities, resource and position allocations, management, and administrative policies.

(5) Plan and administer the Commission's Management by Objectives system. Assure that objectives, priorities, and action plans established by Bureaus and Offices are consistent with overall Commission objectives and priorities.

(6) Plan and administer the Commission's Program Evaluation System. Ensure that evaluation results are utilized in Commission decision-making and priority-setting activities.

(7) Direct agency efforts to improve management effectiveness, operational efficiency, employee productivity, and service to the public. Administer Commission-wide management programs.

(8) Plan and manage the administrative affairs of the Commission with respect to the functions of personnel and position management; labor-management relations; budget and financial management; information management and processing; organization planning; management analysis; procurement; office space management and utilization; administrative and office services; supply and property management; records management; personnel and physical security; and international telecommunications settlements.

(9) [Reserved]

(10) With the concurrence of the General Counsel, interpret rules and regulations pertaining to fees.

(b) The Secretary is the official custodian of the Commission's documents.

The Office of Inspector General is directly responsible to the Chairman as head of the agency. However, the Chairman may not prevent or prohibit the Office of Inspector General from carrying out its duties and responsibilities as mandated by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-504) and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 3), as amended. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities.

(a) Provide policy direction for and to conduct, supervise and coordinate audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Federal Communications Commission.

(b) Review existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to programs and operations of the Commission and to make recommendations in its required semiannual reports to Congress concerning the impact of such legislation or regulations on the economy and efficiency in the administration of these programs and operations, or the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in such programs and operations.

(c) Recommend policies and conduct or coordinate other activities to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of Commission programs, or detect and prevent fraud and abuse in Commission activities. Coordinate with other governmental agencies and non-governmental entities on these matters.

(d) Keep the Chairman of the Commission—and through him the other Commissioners—and the Congress fully and currently informed concerning fraud and other serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to the administration of Commission programs and operations; recommend corrective action and report on the progress made in implementing such corrective action. In addition to providing the Chairman with the results of completed audits and inspections, the Inspector General shall prepare statutorily required reports, identified as such, to include:

(1) Semiannual reports summarizing activities of the office during the preceding six month period (due to the Chairman by April 30 and October 31);

(2) Special reports specifically identifying any serious or flagrant problems, abuses or deficiencies (due to the Chairman immediately upon discovery of these matters by the Inspector General).

The Office of Public Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Develop, recommend, coordinate and administer Commission objectives, plans and programs to enhance public understanding of and compliance with the Commission's regulatory requirements. Evaluate public information dissemination practices and develop methods of improving these practices.

(b) Act as the principal channel for communicating information to the news media, regulated industries, and the general public on Commission policies, programs, and activities. Make official announcements of Commission decisions and actions. Maintain liaison with the information media to facilitate the dissemination of news and information on FCC activities. Advise the Commission on public reaction to and comment on FCC policies and programs.

(c) Develop, recommend, coordinate and administer objectives, plans and programs to encourage participation by the public in the Commission's decision-making processes. Promote increased awareness within the Commission of the impact of Commission policies on the ability of consumers of communications services to participate in decisions that affect them. Evaluate the effectiveness of mechanisms developed and used to facilitate public input and develop new initiatives as appropriate.

(d) Serve as the Commission's pri-mary point of contact with individual consumers of communications services and with organizations of such consumers. Maintain liaison with consumers to facilitate an interchange of information and cooperative efforts to improve the Commission's information-gathering, policy-making, and information dissemination functions.

(e) Act as the principal point of public contact in disseminating information about Commission programs to promote equal employment opportunity and minority enterprise in Commission-regulated industries. Maintain liaison with industry representatives, women's and minority groups and other interested parties regarding public information about and public evaluation of these programs. Organize FCC seminars and serve as FCC spokesperson to outside organizations on these subjects.

(f) Develop and implement programs to assist in providing information to minority entrepreneurs engaged in or seeking to participate in telecommunications industries regulated by the Commission.

(g) Review Commission contract procurement policy to devise ways of increasing information about proposed Commission contracts received by minority contractors.

(h) Advise the Commission on its information dissemination and public participation policies, as they affect liaison with the information media, the public and the Commission's regulatees. Provide policy and program guidance to the bureaus and offices on these subjects based on feedback received through the information dissemination functions of the Office.

(i) Maintain liaison with the Compliance and Information Bureau regarding the press and news media, and consumer assistance and information activities of the Commission's field offices.

The Office of Legislative Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to legislation proposed by members of Congress or the Executive Branch and coordinate the preparation of Commission views thereon for submission to Congress or the Executive Branch.

(b) Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel responses to Congressional or Executive Branch inquiries as to the local ramifications of Commission policies, regulations, rules, and statutory interpretations.

(c) Assist the Office of the Managing Director in preparation of the annual report to Congress, the Commission budget and appropriations legislation to Congress; assist the Office of Public Affairs in preparation of the Commission's Annual Report.

(d) Assist the Chairman and Commissioners in preparation for, and the coordination of their appearances before the Committees of Congress.

(e) Coordinate the annual Commission legislative program.

(f) Coordinate Commission and staff responses to inquiries by individual members of Congress, congressional committees and staffs.

The Office of Plans and Policy, as a staff office to the Commission, assists, advises and makes recommendations to the Commission with respect to the development and implementation of communications policies in all areas of Commission authority and responsibility. A principal function of the Office is to conduct independent policy analyses to assess the long-term effects of alternative Commission policies on domestic and international communication industries and services, with due consideration of the responsibilities and programs of other staff units, and to recommend appropriate Commission action. The Office is also responsible for coordinating the policy research and development activities of other staff units, with special concern for matters which transcend their individual areas of responsibility. The Office is composed of legal, engineering, economic, and sociological policy analysts and other personnel, and is headed by a chief having the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To identify and define significant communications policy issues in all areas of Commission interest and responsibility;

(b) To conduct technical, economic, and sociological impact studies of existing and proposed communications policies and operations, including cooperative studies with other staff units and consultant and contract efforts as appropriate;

(c) To develop and evaluate alternative policy options and approaches for consideration by the Commission;

(d) To review and comment on all significant actions proposed to be taken by the Commission in terms of their overall policy implications;

(e) To recommend and evaluate governmental (state and federal), academic, and industry sponsored research affecting Commission policy issues;

(f) To prepare briefings, position papers, proposed Commission actions, or other agenda items as appropriate;

(g) To manage the Commission's policy research program, recommend budget levels and priorities for this program, and serve as central account manager for all contractual policy research studies funded by the Commission;

(h) To coordinate the formation and presentation of Commission positions in communications policy; represent the Commission at appropriate discussions and conferences.

(i) Develop and recommend procedures and plans for the effective handling of policy issues within the Commission.

The Office of Engineering and Technology has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To evaluate evolving technology for interference potential and to suggest ways to facilitate its introduction in response to Bureau initiatives, and advise the Commission and staff offices in such matters.

(b) Represent the Commission at various national conferences and meetings (and, in consultation with the International Bureau, at various international conferences and meetings) devoted to the progress of communications and the development of technical and other information and standards, and serve as Commission coordinator for the various national conferences when appropriate.

(c) To conduct scientific and technical studies in advanced phases of terrestrial and space communications, and special projects to obtain theoretical and experimental data on new or improved techniques.

(d) To advise the Commission concerning engineering matters, including the privacy and security of communications, involved in making or implementing policy or in resolving specific cases.

(e) To develop and implement procedures to acquire, store, and retrieve scientific and technical information useful in the engineering work of the Commission.

(f) To advise and represent the Commission on frequency allocation and spectrum usage matters.

(g) To render, in cooperation with the General Counsel and the Office of Plans and Policy, advice to the Commission, participate in and coordinate staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and render service and advice with respect to rule making matters and proceedings affecting more than one Bureau.

(h) To collaborate with and advise other Bureaus and Offices in the formulation of technical requirements of the Rules.

(i) To administer parts 2, 5, 15, and 18 of this chapter, including licensing, recordkeeping, and rule making.

(j) To perform all engineering and management functions of the Commission with respect to formulating rules and regulations, technical standards, and general policies for parts 15, 18 and § 63.100 of this chapter, and for type approval and acceptance, and certification of radio equipment for compliance with the Rules.

(k) To maintain liaison with other agencies of government, technical experts representing foreign governments, and members of the public and industry concerned with communications and frequency allocation and usage.

(l) To calibrate and standardize technical equipment and installations used by the Commission.

(m) To exercise authority as may be assigned or referred by the Commission pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

The Office of the General Counsel has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To advise and represent the Commission in matters of litigation.

(b) To advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to proposed legislation and submit agency views on legislation when appropriate.

(c) To interpret the statutes, international agreements, and international regulations affecting the Commission.

(d) To prepare and make recommendations and interpretations concerning procedural rules of general applicability and to review all rules for consistency with other rules, uniformity, and legal sufficiency.

(e) To conduct research in legal matters as directed by the Commission.

(f) In cooperation with the Office of Engineering and Technology, to participate in, render advice to the Commission, and coordinate the staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and to render advice with respect to rule making matters and proceedings affecting more than one bureau.

(g) To serve as the Commission's advocate for competition throughout the telecommunications industry and, specifically, to help to ensure that Commission policy development employs uniform or consistent analysis and that FCC policy encourages and promotes competitive market structures in affected industry segments by providing bureaus/offices with the necessary support to identify, evaluate, and effectively resolve competitiveness issues.

(h) To exercise such authority as may be assigned or referred to it by the Commission pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(i) To cooperate with the International Bureau on all matters pertaining to space satellite communications.

(j) To interpret statutes and executive orders affecting the Commission's national defense responsibilities, and to perform such functions involving implementation of such statutes and executive orders as may be assigned to it by the Commission or the Defense Commissioner.

(k) To perform all legal functions with respect to leases, contracts, tort claims and such other internal legal problems as may arise.

(l) To issue written determinations on behalf of the Chairman, and otherwise act as the Chairman's designee on matters regarding the interception of telephone conversations, as required by the General Services Administration's regulations. 41 CFR 201-6.202 et seq.

(m) To advise the Commission in the preparation and revision of rules and the implementation and administration of ethics regulations and the Freedom of Information, Privacy, Government in the Sunshine and Alternative Dispute Resolution Acts.

(n) To assist and make recommendations to the Commission, and to individual Commissioners assigned to review initial decisions, as to the disposition of cases of adjudication and such other cases as, by Commission policy, are handled in the same manner and which have been designated for hearing.

(o) To serve as the principal operating office on ex parte matters involving restricted proceedings. To review and dispose of all ex parte communications received from the public and others.

The International Bureau has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To initiate and direct the development and articulation of international telecommunications policies, consistent with the priorities of the Commission;

(b) To advise the Chairman and Commissioners on matters of international telecommunications policy, and on the adequacy of the Commission's actions to promote the vital interests of the American public in international commerce, national defense, and foreign policy;

(c) To develop, recommend, and administer policies, rules, standards, and procedures for the authorization and regulation of international telecommunications facilities and services, domestic and international satellite systems, and international broadcast services;

(d) To monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of authorizations and licenses granted by the Bureau, and to pursue enforcement actions in conjunction with appropriate bureaus and offices;

(e) To represent the Commission on international telecommunications matters at both domestic and international conferences and meetings, and to direct and coordinate the Commission's preparation for such conferences and meetings;

(f) To serve as the single focal point within the Commission for cooperation and consultation on international telecommunications matters with other Federal agencies, international or foreign organizations, and appropriate regulatory bodies and officials of foreign governments;

(g) To develop, coordinate with other Federal agencies, and administer the regulatory assistance and training programs for foreign administrations to promote telecommunications development;

(h) To provide advice and technical assistance to U.S. trade officials in the negotiation and implementation of telecommunications trade agreements, and consult with other bureaus and offices as appropriate;

(i) To conduct economic, legal, technical, statistical, and other appropriate studies, surveys, and analyses in support of international telecommunications policies and programs.

(j) To collect and disseminate within the Commission information and data on international telecommunications policies, regulatory and market developments in other countries, and international organizations;

(k) To work with the Office of Legislative Affairs to coordinate the Commission's activities on significant matters of international policy with appropriate Congressional offices;

(l) To promote the international coordination of spectrum allocations and frequency and orbital assignments so as to minimize cases of international radio interference involving U.S. licensees;

(m) To direct and coordinate, in consultation with other bureaus and offices as appropriate, negotiation of international agreements to provide for arrangements and procedures for coordination of radio frequency assignments to prevent or resolve international radio interference involving U.S. licensees;

(n) To ensure fulfillment of the Commission's responsibilities under international agreements and treaty obligations, and, consistent with Commission policy, to ensure that the Commission's regulations, procedures, and frequency allocations comply with the mandatory requirements of all applicable international and bilateral agreements;

(o) To oversee and, as appropriate, administer activities pertaining to the international consultation, coordination, and notification of U.S. frequency and orbital assignments, including activities required by bilateral agreements, the international Radio Regulations, and other international agreements;

(p) To advise the Chairman on priorities for international travel and develop, coordinate, and administer the international travel plan;

(q) To develop, recommend, and administer policies, rules, and regulations implementing the Commission's oversight responsibilities regarding COMSAT's participation in INTELSAT and INMARSAT;

(r) To exercise authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of matters within the jurisdiction of the International Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the International Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

The Mass Media Bureau develops, recommends and administers policies and programs for the regulation of all radio and television broadcast industry services. Advises and recommends to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and development of radio and television services. The Mass Media Bureau has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Process applications for authorizations in radio and television services, including conventional and auxiliary broadcast services (other than international broadcast services) and multi-point and multi-channel multi-point distribution services.

(b) Process applications for renewal of licenses and for assignment or transfer of ownership interests in such licenses.

(c) Participate in hearings before the Administrative Law Judges and the Commission.

(d) Plan and develop proposed rulemakings and conduct comprehensive studies and analyses (legal, engineering, social and economic) of various petitions for policy or rule changes submitted by industry or the public.

(e) Conduct studies and compile data relating to radio and television network operations necessary for the Commission to develop and maintain an adequate regulatory program.

(f) Investigate complaints and answer general inquiries from the public and handle political broadcasting and fairness doctrine complaints.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) To exercise authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of matters within the jurisdiction of the Mass Media Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Mass Media Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(a) The Office of Workplace Diversity (OWD), as a staff office to the Commission, shall develop, coordinate, evaluate, and recommend to the Commission policies, programs, and practices that foster a diverse workforce and promote and ensure equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. A principal function of the Office is to lead, advise, and assist the Commission, including all of its component Bureau/Office managers, supervisors, and staff, at all levels, on ways to promote inclusion and full participation of all employees in pursuit of the Commission's mission. In accordance with this function, the Office shall:

(1) Conduct independent analyses of the Commission's policies and practices to ensure that those policies and practices foster diversity in the workplace and ensure equal opportunity and equal treatment for employees and applicants; and

(2) Advise the Commission, Bureaus, and Offices of their responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; Executive Order 11478; and all other statutes, Executive Orders, and regulatory provisions relating to workplace diversity, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, and civil rights.

(b) The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Through its Director, serves as the principal advisor to the Chairman and Commission officials on all aspects of workplace diversity, affirmative recruitment, equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and civil rights;

(2) Provides leadership and guidance to create a work environment that values and encourages diversity in the workplace;

(3) Is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies to foster a workplace whose diversity reflects the diverse makeup of the Nation, enhances the mission of the Commission, and demonstrates the value and effectiveness of a diverse workforce;

(4) Is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies that promote understanding among members of the Commission's workforce of their differences and the value of those differences and provide a channel for communication among diverse members of the workforce at all levels;

(5) Develops, implements, and evaluates programs and policies to ensure that all members of the Commission's workforce and candidates for employment have equal access to opportunities for employment, career growth, training, and development and are protected from discrimination and harassment;

(6) Develops and recommends Commission-wide workforce diversity goals and reports on achievements;

(7) Is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies to enable all Bureaus and Offices to manage a diverse workforce effectively and in compliance with all equal employment opportunity and civil rights requirements;

(8) Works closely with the Associate Managing Director—Human Resources Management to ensure compliance with Federal and Commission recruitment and staffing requirements;

(9) Manages the Commission's equal employment opportunity compliance program. Responsibilities in this area include processing complaints alleging discrimination, recommending to the Chairman final decisions on EEO complaints within the Commission, and providing counseling services to employees and applicants on EEO matters;

(10) Develops and administers the Commission's program of accessibility and accommodation for disabled persons in accordance with applicable regulations;

(11) Represents the Commission at meeting with other public and private groups and organizations on matters counseling workplace diversity and equal employment opportunity and workplace diversity issues;

(12) Maintains liaison with and solicits views of organizations within and outside the Commission on matters relating to equal opportunity and workplace diversity.

The Common Carrier Bureau develops, recommends, and administers policies and programs for the regulation of services, facilities and practices of entities which furnish interstate communications service or interstate access service for hire—whether by wire, radio or cable—and of ancillary operations related to the provision of such services (excluding public coast stations in the maritime mobile services and multi-point and multi-channel multi-point distribution services and excluding matters pertaining exclusively to the regulation and licensing of wireless telecommunications services and facilities). The Bureau also develops, recommends, and administers policies and programs for the regulation of rates, terms and conditions under which communications entities furnish interstate communications service, interstate access service, and (in cooperation with the International Bureau) foreign communications service for hire—whether by wire, cable or satellite. The Bureau also performs the following functions:

(a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and licensing of communication common carriers and ancillary operations (other than matters pertaining exclusively to the regulation and licensing of wireless telecommunications services and facilities). This includes: Policy development and coordination; adjudicatory and rule making proceedings, including rate and service investigations; determinations regarding lawfulness of carrier tariffs; action on applications for service and facility authorizations; review of carrier performance; economic research and analysis; administration of Commission accounting and reporting requirements; compliance and enforcement activities; and any matters concerning wireline carriers that also affect wireless carriers in cooperation with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

(b) Collaborates with representatives of state regulatory commissions and with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in cooperative studies of common carrier and related matters.

(c) Advises and assists the public, other government agencies and industry groups on wireline common carrier regulation and related matters.

(d) Exercises such authority as may be assigned or referred to it by the Commission pursuant to Section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(e) Obtains from carriers and from persons directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such carriers full and complete information necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties and carry out the objectives for which it was created.

(f) Carries out the functions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, except as reserved to Commission under § 0.291.

(g) Acts jointly with the Office of Engineering and Technology on applications for registration of equipment to be directly connected to the telephone network, and acts on complaints brought by any party concerning the registration or operation of such equipment.

(h) Administers the Telecommunications Service Priority System with the concurrence of the Compliance and Information Bureau, and resolves matters involving assignment of priorities and other issues pursuant to part 64 of this chapter.

(i) Acts upon matters involving telecommunications relay services complaints and certification.

(j) Develops, in coordination with the Office of Plans and Policy, policies for the selection of licenses from mutually exclusive applicants in the Common Carrier Service subject to competitive bidding; issues Public Notices announcing auctions for Common Carrier Service Licenses; specifies the licenses to be auctioned; the deadlines for filing short-form applications, filing fees, and submission of upfront payments; the time and place of the auction; the method of competitive bidding to be used; competitive bidding procedures including, but not limited to, designated entity preferences, applicable bid submission procedures, upfront payment requirements, activity rules, stopping rules, and bid withdrawal procedures.

The Cable Services Bureau develops, recommends and administers policies and programs with respect to the regulation of services, facilities, rates and practices of cable television systems and with respect to the creation of competition to cable systems, and with respect to video programming services provided by other multichannel video programming distributors and multichannel video programmers. The Cable Services Bureau advises and recommends to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and development of cable television and other multichannel video programming services. The Bureau also performs the following functions:

(a) Administers and enforces rules and policies regarding:

(1) Cable television systems, operators, and services, including those relating to rates, technical standards, customer service, ownership, competition to cable systems, broadcast station signal retransmission and carriage, program access, wiring equipment, channel leasing, and federal-state/local regulatory relationships. This includes: acting, after Commission assumption of jurisdiction to regulate cable television rates for basic service and associated equipment, on cable operator requests for approval ofexisting or increased rates; reviewing appeals of local franchising authorities’ rate making decisions involving rates for the basic service tier and associated equipment, except when such appeals raise novel or unusual issues; acting upon complaints involving cable programming service rates except for final action on complaints raising novel or unusual issues; evaluating basic rate regulation certification requests filed by cable system franchising authorities; periodically reviewing and, when appropriate, revising standard forms used in administering: the Commission's complaint process regarding cable programming service rates; the certification process for local franchising authorities wishing to regulate rates, and the substantive rate regulation standards prescribed by the Commission;

(2) Access to poles, ducts, conduits and rights-of-way and the rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments, when such attachments are not regulated by a state and not provided by railroads or governmentally or cooperatively owned utilities, and complaints involving access to or rates, terms and conditions arising from pole attachments, except for final action on complaints raising novel or unusual issues;

(3) Open video systems;

(4) Preemption of restrictions on devices designed for over-the-air reception of television broadcast signals, multichannel multipoint distribution service, and direct broadcast satellite services;

(5) The commercial availability of navigational devices;

(6) The accessibility of video programming to persons with disabilities; and

(7) Scrambling of sexually explicit adult video programming by multichannel video programming distributors.

(b) Plans and develops proposed rulemakings and conducts studies and analyses (legal, engineering, social and economic) of various petitions for policy or rule changes submitted by industry or the public.

(c) Conducts studies and compiles data relating to multichannel video programming services necessary for the Commission to develop and maintain an adequate regulatory program.

(d) Advises and assists the public, other government agencies and industry groups.

(e) Administers financial and other reporting systems.

(f) Investigates complaints and answers general inquiries from the public.

(g) Participates in hearings before the Administrative Law Judges and the Commission.

(h) Processes applications for authorizations in the Cable Television Relay Service.

(i) Processes and acts on all applications for authorization, petitions for special relief, petitions to deny, waiver requests, requests for certification, objections, complaints, and requests for declaratory rulings and stays regarding the areas listed above, that do not involve novel questions of fact, law or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

(j) Periodically reviews and, when appropriate, revises standard forms related to the areas listed above.

(k) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedule of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of the Cable Services Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Cable Services Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(l) Carries out the functions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, except as reserved to the Commission under § 0.321.

(a) Enforce the Commission's Rules and Regulations; provide support to other governmental units, investigate all non-government communications matters; issue sanctions.

(b) Disseminate to the public on a local basis information regarding communications issues and Commission rules, policies, and programs.

(c) Collect information through a customer intelligence network to inform the Commission on the needs of its customer and on the impact of regulations and necessary refinements to them as suggested by the users and the public.

(d) Participate in international conferences dealing with monitoring and measurement; serve as the point of contact for the U.S. Government in matters of international monitoring, fixed and mobile direction-finding, and interference resolution. Provide technical and administrative support on the administration of the ITU Fellowship program and oversee coordination of non-routine communications and materials between the Commission and international or regional public organizations or foreign administrations.

(e) Reduce or eliminate interference to authorized communications. Promote private sector solutions to interference problems; investigate and resolve those unsuitable for private sector resolution or where the private sector is unable to provide solutions. Work, in conjunction with the Office of Engineering and Technology, with technical standards bodies.

(f) Perform investigations in support of Commission policies.

(g) Maintain, operate, and manage the toll-free telephone receiving center for complaint and inquiries. Coordinate with the Office of Public Affairs and maintain liaison with the rest of the agency to ensure that the needs of the public for information are handled promptly, accurately, and comprehensively and that complaints are directed to those charged with acting upon them.

(h) Under the general direction of the Defense Commissioner, coordinate the defense activities of the Commission, and provide support to the Defense Commissioner in his participation in the Joint Telecommunication Resources Board and the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, including recommendation of national emergency plans and preparedness programs covering Commission functions during national emergencies. Support the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau on assignment of Telecommunications Service Priority System priorities and the administration of this system. The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, or the designee of that person, acts as the FCC Defense Coordinator and the principal of the Commission to the National Communications System.

(a) Field offices are located throughout the United States. For the address and phone number of the closest office contact the Compliance and Information Bureau or see the U.S. Government Manual.

(b) Protected field offices are located at the following geographical coordinates:

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau develops, recommends and administers the programs and policies for the regulation of the terms and conditions under which communications entities offer domestic wireless telecommunications services and of ancillary operations related to the provision of such services (satellite communications excluded). These functions include all wireless telecommunications service providers' and licensees' activities. The Bureau also performs the following specific functions:

(a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to the licensing and regulation of wireless telecommunications, including ancillary operations related to the provision or use of such services; and any matters concerning wireless carriers that also affect wireline carriers in cooperation with the Common Carrier Bureau. These activities include: policy development and coordination; conducting rulemaking and adjudicatory proceedings, including licensing and complaint proceedings; acting on waivers of rules; acting on applications for service and facility authorizations; compliance and enforcement activities; determining resource impacts of existing, planned or recommended Commission activities concerning wireless telecommunications, and developing and recommending resource deployment priorities.

(b) Develops and recommends policy goals, objectives, programs and plans for the Commission on matters concerning wireless telecommunications, drawing upon relevant economic, technological, legislative, regulatory and judicial information and developments. Such matters include meeting the present and future wireless telecommunications needs of the Nation; fostering economic growth by promoting efficiency and innovation in the allocation, licensing and use of the electromagnetic spectrum; ensuring choice, opportunity and fairness in the development of wireless telecommunications services and markets; promoting economically efficient investment in wireless telecommunications infrastructure and the integration of wireless communications networks into the public telecommunications network; enabling access to national communications services; promoting the development and widespread availability of wireless telecommunications services. Reviews and coordinates orders, programs and actions initiated by other Bureaus and Offices in matters affecting wireless telecommunications to ensure consistency of overall Commission policy.

(c) Serves as the Commission's principal policy and administrative staff resource with regard to spectrum auctions. Administers all Commission spectrum auctions. Develops, recommends and administers policies, programs and rules concerning auctions of spectrum for wireless telecommunications. Advises the Commission on policy, engineering and technical matters relating to auctions of spectrum used for other purposes. Administers procurement of auction-related services from outside contractors. Provides policy, administrative and technical assistance to other Bureaus and Offices on auction issues.

(d) Regulates the charges, practices, classifications, terms and conditions for, and facilities used to provide, wireless telecommunications services. Develops and recommends consistent, integrated policies, programs and rules for the regulation of commercial mobile radio services and private mobile radio services.

(e) Develops and recommends policy, rules, standards, procedures and forms for the authorization and regulation of wireless telecommunications facilities and services, including all facility authorization applications involving domestic terrestrial transmission facilities. Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau regarding frequency assignment, coordination and interference matters.

(f) Develops and recommends responses to legislative, regulatory or judicial inquiries and proposals concerning or affecting wireless telecommunications.

(g) Develops and recommends policies regarding matters affecting the collaboration and coordination of relations among Federal agencies, and between the Federal government and the states, concerning wireless telecommunications issues. Maintains liaison with Federal and state government bodies concerning such issues.

(h) Develops and recommends policies, programs and rules to ensure interference-free operation of wireless telecommunications equipment and networks. Coordinates with and assists other Bureaus and Offices, as appropriate, concerning spectrum management, planning, and interference matters and issues, and in all compliance and enforcement activities. Studies technical requirements for equipment for wireless telecommunications services in accordance with standards established by the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.

(i) Advises and assists consumers, businesses and other government agencies on wireless telecommunications issues and matters relating thereto.

(j) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator program (part 13 of this chapter) and the Commission's program for registration, construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of this chapter).

(k) Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau with respect to treaty activities and international conferences concerning wireless telecommunications.

(l) Exercises such authority as may be assigned, delegated or referred to it by the Commission.

(m) Certifies frequency coordinators; considers petitions seeking review of coordinator actions; and engages in oversight of coordinator actions and practices.

(n) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator (part 13 of this chapter) and amateur radio programs (part 97 of this chapter) and the program for construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of this chapter).

(o) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of wireless telecommunications operators for any alleged violation or violations of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the Commission's rules and orders. Before issuing a subpoena, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(p) Certifies, in the name of the Commission, volunteer entities to coordinate maintain and disseminate a common data base of amateur station special event call signs, and issues Public Notices detailing the procedures of amateur service call sign systems.

The Office of Administrative Law Judges consists of a Chief Administrative Law Judge, an Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge, and as many other Administrative Law Judges qualified and appointed pursuant to the requirements of section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act as the Commission may find necessary. It is responsible for hearing and conducting all adjudicatory cases designated for any evidentiary adjudicatory hearing other than those designated to be heard by the Commission en banc, those designated to be heard by one or more members of the Commission, and those involving the authorization of service in the Instructional Television Fixed Service. The Office of Administrative Law Judges is also responsible for conducting such other hearings as the Commission may assign.

(a) There are three basic categories of delegations made by the Commission pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended:

(1) Delegations to act in non-hearing matters and proceedings. The great bulk of delegations in this category are made to bureau chiefs and other members of the Commission's staff. This category also includes delegations to individual commissioners and toboards or committees of commissioners.

(2) Delegations to rule on interlocutory matters in hearing proceedings. Delegations in this category are made to the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(3) Delegations to review an initial decision. Delegations in this category are made to individual commissioners, to panels of commissioners.

(b) Delegations are arranged in this subpart under headings denoting the person, panel, or board to whom authority has been delegated, rather than by the categories listed in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Procedures pertaining to the filing and disposition of interlocutory pleadings in hearing proceedings are set forth in §§ 1.291 through 1.298 of this chapter. Procedures pertaining to appeals from rulings of the presiding officer are set forth in § 1.301. Procedures pertaining to reconsideration of the presiding officer's rulings are set forth in § 1.303. Procedures pertaining to reconsideration and review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority are set forth in §§ 1.101, 1.102, 1.104, 1.106, 1.113, 1.115, and 1.117. Procedures pertaining to exceptions to initial decisions are set forth in §§ 1.276-1.279.

(d) The Commission, by vote of a majority of the members then holding office, may delegate its functions either by rule or by order, and may at any time amend, modify, or rescind any such rule or order.

(1) Functions of a continuing or recurring nature are delegated by rule. The rule is published in the Federal Register and is included in this subpart.

(2) Functions pertaining to a particular matter or proceeding are delegated by order. The order is published in the Federal Register and associated with the record of that matter or proceeding, but neither the order nor any reference to the delegation made thereby is included in this subpart.

(a) The person, panel, or board to which functions are delegated shall, with respect to such functions, have all the jurisdiction, powers, and authority conferred by law upon the Commission, and shall be subject to the same duties and obligations.

(b) Except as provided in § 1.102 of this chapter, any action taken pursuant to delegated authority shall have the same force and effect and shall be made, evidenced, and enforced in the same manner as actions of the Commission.

(a) Authority to issue orders and to enter into correspondence. Any official (or group of officials) to whom authority is delegated in this subpart is authorized to issue orders (including rulings, decisions, or other action documents) pursuant to such authority and to enter into general correspondence concerning any matter for which he is responsible under this subpart or subpart A of this part.

(b) Authority of subordinate officials. Authority delegated to any official to issue orders or to enter into correspondence under paragraph (a) of this section may be exercised by that official or by appropriate subordinate officials acting for him.

(c) Signature. (1) Other orders made by a committee, board or panel identify the body and are signed by the Secretary.

(2) Upon signing an order, the Secretary affixes the Commission's seal.

(3) General correspondence by a committee or board is signed by the committee or board chairman.

(4) All other orders and letters are signed by the official who has given final approval of their contents.

(5) With the exception of license forms requiring the signature of an appropriate official of the issuing bureau or office, license forms bear only the seal of the Commission.

(d) Form of orders. Orders may be issued in any appropriate form (e.g., as captioned orders, letters, telegrams) and may, if appropriate, be issued orally. Orders issued orally shall, if practicable, be confirmed promptly in writing.

(e) Minutes entries. Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, actions taken as provided in paragraph (d) of this section shall be recorded in writing and filed in the official minutes of the Commission.

The responsibility for the general administration of internal affairs of the Commission is delegated to the Chairman of the Commission. The Chairman will keep the Commission advised concerning his actions taken under this delegation of authority. This authority includes:

(a) Actions of routine character as to which the Chairman may take final action.

(b) Actions of non-routine character which do not involve policy determinations. The Chairman may take final action on these matters but shall specifically advise the Commission on these actions.

(c) Actions of an important character or those which involve policy determinations. In these matters the Chairman will develop proposals for presentation to the Commission.

(d) To act within the purview of the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2672, upon tort claims directed against the Commission where the amount of damages does not exceed $5,000.

(e) Authority to act as “Head of the Agency” or “Agency Head” for administrative determinations required by Federal Procurement Regulations and Federal Management Circulars.

(a) Whenever the Chairman or Acting Chairman of the Commission determines that a quorum of the Commission is not present or able to act, he may convene a Board of Commissioners. The Board shall be composed of all Commissioners present and able to act.

(b) The Board of Commissioners is authorized to act upon all matters normally acted upon by the Commission en banc, except the following:

(1) The final determination on the merits of any adjudicatory or investigatory hearing proceeding or of any rule making proceeding, except upon a finding by the Board that the public interest would be disserved by waiting the convening of a quorum of the Commission.

(2) Petitions for reconsideration of Commission actions.

(3) Applications for review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority.

(c) The Board of Commissioners is authorized to act upon all matters normally acted upon by an individual Commissioner (when he or his alternates are not present or able to act) or by a committee of Commissioners (in the absence of a quorum of the committee).

(d) Actions taken by the Board of Commissioners shall be recorded in the same manner as actions taken by the Commission en banc.

(e) This section has no application in circumstances in which the Commission is unable to function at its offices in Washington, D.C. See §§ 0.181-0.186 and §§ 0.381-0.387.

(a) One or more members of the Commission may be designated to preside in a hearing proceeding. The Commissioner or Commissioners designated to preside at such a hearing shall fix the time and place of the hearing and shall act upon all motions, petitions or other matters which may arise while the proceeding is in hearing status.

(b) One or more members of the Commission may be designated to review an initial decision issued in any hearing case.

(c) Except for actions taken during the course of a hearing and upon the record thereof, actions taken by a Commissioner or Commissioners pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be recorded in writing and filed in the official minutes of the Commission.

(a) The Managing Director, or his designee, upon securing concurrence of the General Counsel, is delegated authority to act upon requests for waiver, reduction or deferment of fees, establish payment dates, and issue notices proposing amendments or adjustments to the fee schedules established under part 1, subpart G, of this chapter.

(b) The Managing Director, or his designee, is delegated authority to make nonsubstantive, editorial revisions of the Commission's rules and regulations upon approval of the bureau or staff office primarily responsible for the particular part or section involved.

(c) [Reserved]

(d) The Managing Director, or his designee, upon securing the concurrence of the General Counsel, is delegated authority, within the purview of the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2672, to grant tort claims directed against the Commission where the amount of the claim does not exceed $5,000. In addition thereto, the Managing Director, or his designee, upon securing the concurrence of the General Counsel, is delegated authority to act in the disposition of claims arising under the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 3701 and 3721, where the amount of the claim does not exceed $6,500.

(e) The Managing Director is delegated authority to act as Head of the Procurement Activity and Contracting Officer for the Commission and to designate appropriate subordinate officials to act as Contracting Officers for the Commission. As Head of the Procurement Activity, the Managing Director will refer all appeals filed against final decisions regarding award of contracts to the Board of Contract Appeals of the General Services Administration for resolution. Appeals will be handled in accordance with the Rules of the Board of Contract Appeals.

(f) [Reserved]

(g) The Managing Director, after consultation with the Chairman shall establish, renew, and terminate all Federal advisory committees. He shall also exercise all management responsibilities under the Federal Advisory Committee Act as amended (Pub. L. No. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App.).

(h) [Reserved]

(i) The Secretary, acting under the supervision of the Managing Director, serves as the official custodian of the Commission's documents and shall have authority to appoint a deputy or deputies for the purposes of custody and certification of documents located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania or other established locations. The Secretary is delegated authority to rule on requests for extensions of time based on operational problems associated with the Commission's electronic comment filing system. See § 1.46 of this chapter.

(a) The performance of functions and activities described in § 0.31 of this part is delegated to the Chief Engineer: Provided, That the following matters shall be referred to the Commission en banc for disposition:

(1) Notices of proposed rulemaking and of inquiry and final orders in rulemaking proceedings, inquiry proceedings and non-editorial orders making changes. See § 0.231(d).

(2) Petitions for review of actions taken to delegated authority. See § 1.115 of this chapter.

(3) Petitions and other requests for waivers of the Commission's rules, whether or not accompanied by an applications, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission or present facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy.

(4) Petitions and other requests for declaratory rulings, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission or preset facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy.

(5) Any other petition, pleading or request presenting new or novel questions of fact, law, or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(6) Any other complaint or enforcement matter presenting new or novel questions of fact, law, or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(7) Authority to issued a notice of opportunity for hearing pursuant to § 1.80(g) of this chapter; and authority to issue notices of apparent liability, final forfeiture orders, and orders cancelling or reducing forfeitures imposed under § 1.80(f) of this chapter, if the amount set out in the notice of apparent liability is more than $20,000.

(8) Proposed actions following any case remanded by the courts.

(b) The Chief Engineer is delegated authority to administer the Equipment Authorization program as described in part 2 of the Commission's Rules.

(c) The Chief Engineer is delegated authority to administer the Experimental Radio Service program pursuant to part 5 of the Commission's Rules.

(d) The Chief engineer is delegated authority to examine all applications for certification (approval) of subscription television technical systems as acceptable for use under a subscription television authorization as provided for in this chapter, to notify the applicant that an examination of the certified technical information and data submitted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter indicates that the system does or does not appear to be acceptable for authorization as a subscription television system. This delegation shall be exercised in consultation with the Chief, Mass Media Bureau.

(e) The Chief Engineer is authorized to dismiss or deny petitions for rulemaking which are repetitive or moot or which, for other reasons plainly do not warrant consideration by the Commission.

(f) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is authorized to enter into agreements with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and other accreditation bodies to perform accreditation of test laboratories pursuant to § 2.948(d) of this chapter. In addition, the Chief is authorized to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual accrediting organizations and accredited laboratories.

The application and authorization files and other appropriate files of the Office of Engineering and Technology are designated as the official minute entries of actions taken pursuant to §§ 0.241 and 0.243.

(a) The General Counsel is delegated authority to act as the “designated agency ethics official.”

(b) Insofar as authority is not delegated to any other Bureau or Office, and with respect only to matters which are not in hearing status, the General Counsel is delegated authority:

(1) To act upon requests for extension of time within which briefs, comments or pleadings may be filed.

(2) To dismiss, as repetitious, any petition for reconsideration of a Commission order which disposed of a petition for reconsideration and which did notreverse, change, or modify the original order.

(3) To dismiss or deny petitions for rulemaking which are repetitive or moot or which, for other reasons, plainly do not warrant consideration by the Commission.

(4) To dismiss as repetitious any petition for reconsideration of a Commission order denying an application for review which fails to rely on new facts or changed circumstances.

(c) The General Counsel is delegated authority in adjudicatory hearing proceedings which are pending before the Commission en banc to act on all requests for relief, and to issue all appropriate orders, except those which involve final disposition on the merits of a previously specified issue concerning an applicant's basic qualifications or two or more applicants' comparative qualifications.

(d) When an adjudicatory proceeding is before the Commission for the issuance of a final order or decision, the General Counsel will make every effort to submit a draft order or decision for Commission consideration within four months of the filing of the last responsive pleading. If the Commission is unable to adopt an order or decision in such cases within five months of the last responsive pleading, it shall issue an order indicating that additional time will be required to resolve the case.

(e) The official record of all actions taken by the General Counsel pursuant to § 0.251 (c) and (d) is contained in the original docket folder, which is maintained by the Secretary in the Dockets Branch.

(f) The General Counsel is delegated authority to issue written determinations on behalf of the Chairman, and otherwise act as the Chairman's designee on matters regarding the interception of telephone conversations, as required by the General Services Administration's regulations. 41 CFR 201-6.202 et seq.

(g) The General Counsel is delegated authority to act upon any application for a determination of exempt telecommunications company status filed pursuant to section 34(a)(1) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended by section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(h) The General Counsel is delegated authority to issue rulings on whether violations of the ex parte rules have occurred.

(i) The General Counsel is delegated authority to make determinations regarding and waive the applicability of section 4(b) of the Communications Act (47 U.S.C. § 154(b)) and the Federal conflict of interest statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 203, 205 and 208).

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, the Chief, International Bureau, is hereby delegated the authority to perform the functions and activities described in § 0.51, including without limitation the following:

(1) To recommend rulemakings, studies, and analyses (legal, engineering, social, and economic) of various petitions for policy or rule changes submitted by industry or the public, and to assist the Commission in conducting the same;

(2) To assume the principal representational role on behalf of the Commission in international conferences, meetings, and negotiations, and direct Commission preparation for such conferences, meetings, and negotiations with other bureaus and offices, as appropriate;

(3) To act upon applications for international telecommunications facilities and services pursuant to part 23 of this chapter and relevant portions of part 63 of this chapter, and coordinate with the Common Carrier Bureau as appropriate;

(4) To act upon applications for international and domestic satellite systems and earth stations pursuant to part 25 and part 100 of this chapter;

(5) To act upon applications for cable landing licenses pursuant to § 1.767 of this chapter;

(6) To act upon requests for designation of Recognized Private Operating Agency (RPOA) status under part 63 of this chapter;

(7) To act upon applications relating to international broadcast station operations, or for permission to deliver programming to foreign stations, under part 73 of this chapter;

(8) To administer and enforce the policies and rules on international settlements under part 64 of this chapter;

(9) To administer portions of part 2 of this chapter dealing with international treaties and call sign provisions, and to make call sign assignments, individually and in blocks, to U.S. Government agencies and FCC operating bureaus;

(10) To act upon applications for closure of public coast stations in the maritime service under part 63 of this chapter and to coordinate its efforts with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

(11) To administer Commission participation in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Fellowship telecommunication training program for foreign officials offered through the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute;

(12) In consultation with the affected Bureaus and Offices, to recommend revision of Commission rules and procedures as appropriate to conform to the outcomes of international conferences, agreements, or treaties;

(13) To notify the ITU of the United States' terrestrial and satellite assignments for inclusion in the Master International Frequency Register;

(14) To conduct studies and compile such data relating to international telecommunications as may be necessary for the Commission to develop and maintain an adequate regulatory program; and

(15) To interpret and enforce rules and regulations pertaining to matters under its jurisdiction.

(b) Notwithstanding the authority delegated in paragraph (a) of this section, the Chief, International Bureau, shall not have authority:

(1) To act on any application, petition, pleading, complaint, enforcement matter, or other request that:

(i) Presents new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission;

(ii) Presents facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy; or

(iii) Cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines after consultation with appropriate Bureaus or Offices.

(2) To issue notices of proposed rulemaking, notices of inquiry, or reports or orders arising from rulemaking or inquiry proceedings;

(3) To act upon any application for review of actions taken by the Chief, International Bureau, pursuant to delegated authority, which application complies with § 1.115 of this chapter;

(4) To act upon any formal or informal radio application or section 214 application for common carrier services which is in hearing status;

(5) To designate for hearing any applications except:

(i) Mutually exclusive applications for radio facilities filed pursuant to parts 23, 25, 73, or 100 of this chapter; and

(ii) Applications for facilities where the issues presented relate solely to whether the applicant has complied with outstanding precedents and guidelines; or

(6) To impose, reduce, or cancel forfeitures pursuant to section 203 or section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in amounts of more than $80,000 for common carrier providers and $20,000 for non-common carrier providers.

The application and authorization files in the appropriate central files of the International Bureau are designated as the Commission's official records of actions by the Chief, International Bureau, pursuant to authority delegated to him.

(a) Insofar as authority is not delegated to any other Bureau or Office, and with respect only to matters which are not in hearing status, the Chief, Office of Plans and Policy is delegated authority to deny requests or to extend the time within which comments may be filed in dockets over which the Office of Plans and Policy has primary authority.

(b) [Reserved]

The performance of functions and activities described in § 0.61 of this part is delegated to the Chief, Mass Media Bureau: Provided, That the following matters shall be referred by the Chief, Mass Media Bureau to the Commission en banc for disposition:

(a) Applications. Formal and informal applications for new or modified facilities, and for the renewal, assignment, and transfer of construction permits and licenses involving such facilities, when such applications fail to satisfy the requirements of Commission rules or established Commission policy in the following areas of special concern:

(1) Multiple ownership, concentration of control, and cross-interests. (i) Acquisition of a third broadcast station or modification of facilities if such would result in the common ownership of three broadcast stations where any two are within 100 miles of a third and primary service contour overlap would occur; “one-to-a-market” situations involving UHF stations or TV satellite stations; and duopoly situations involving TV satellite stations. (Commonly owned AM and FM stations in the same market are treated as one station for the purpose of the “third station” limitations.)

(ii) Acquisition of a broadcast station by a newspaper in the same area, or other organization having substantial interests in the print media in the same area.

(iii) Creation of common ownership interests, management ties, or employment relationships between licensees serving substantial common areas and populations. Commonality of areas and populations served shall be determined in duopoly situations by overlap of the following service contours: AM—1 mVm; FM—1 mVm; and TV—Grade B. In “one-to-a-market” situations, commonality of areas and populations served shall be determined by community encompassment with the following service contours: AM—2 mVm; FM—1 mVm; and TV—Grade A.

(iv) Acquisition of broadcast properties by corporations or individuals appearing to dominate the economic life of the community.

(2) Anti-trust activity, unfair trade practices, and violations of law not previously considered by the Commission. (i) Proposals by applicants against whom communications-related anti-trust suits are pending or against whom there is pending any anti-trust suit in which an adverse verdict has been reached.

(ii) Proposals by applicants who have entered into a consent decree, have pleaded guilty or nolo contendere, or have been adjudged guilty in an anti-trust case during the three-year period preceding the filing of the application.

(iii) Proposals by applicants who have been the subject of a final cease and desist or consent order issued by the Federal Trade Commission during the three-year period preceding the filing of the application.

(iv) Proposals by applicants or including parties with felony or capital offense conviction records, or against whom a criminal proceeding is pending.

(3) Violations and complaint matters. Proposals filed by applicants against whom violation notices of a serious nature are outstanding or against whomquestions suggesting serious misconduct remain unresolved, or by applicants with records of serious past misconduct.

(4) Equal employment opportunities. Proposals filed by applicants whose equal employment opportunities programs do not comply with Commission rules or policies and cannot be cleared by further staff inquiry or action, or whose past performance suggests the existence of discriminatory practices.

(5) Short term licenses and renewals. Proposals which in the opinion of the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, warrant the issuance of a short-term license or renewal authorization.

(6) [Reserved]

(7) Programming: Program content and ascertainment of community needs. (i) Applications for new stations or assignments and transfers.

(A) Commercial AM and FM proposals and commercial TV proposals of applicants for new stations and of assignees and transfers that have not submitted a narrative statement of their proposed programming.

(8) [Reserved]

(9) Hearing orders. (i) Mutually exclusive applications not in the Instructional Television Fixed Service, including renewal and construction permit applications, involving non-routine hearing issues.

(ii) Other renewal and assignment and transfer applications which appear to call for an evidentiary hearing.

(iii) Such other applications, as in the opinion of the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, warrant referral to the Commission prior to designation for hearing.

(10) Interference and mileage separations. Proposals for new or modified AM, FM, and TV facilities which would create substantial new prohibited overlap or station separation shortages. In the case of AM proposals (other than Class IV), a net increase in objectionable interference to another AM station involving more than 1 percent of the population served by such other station, whether or not consented to by the station affected, shall be referred to the Commission.

(11) VHF television expansion. Commercial VHF television proposals seeking to bring or extend their Grade B contours into a significant area or population included within the predicted Grade B contour of a UHF television station where the area or population involved is covered by fewer than 4 VHF television signals.

(12) Agreements to amend or dismiss applications. Any situation in which a community will be deprived of a proposed broadcast station by reason of amendment or dismissal of an application mutually exclusive with another application for a different community.

(13) Experimental and developmental operation. Proposals for experimental and developmental authority containing policy implications which, in the opinion of the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, warrant referral to the Commission.

(14) Miscellaneous applications and requests. (i) Proposals for special temporary, emergency, conditional, or interim operating authority of more than routine significance.

(ii) Any other application, proposals, or request presenting novel questions of fact, law, or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(b) Petitions and other requests for Commission action. (1) Petitions to deny, informal objections, and other petitions, directed against AM, FM, and TV applications for new or modified facilities, or for renewal, assignment or transfer of control, will be referred to the Commission if they: (i) Contain new or novel issues not previously considered by the Commission, (ii) appear to justify a change in Commission policy; or (iii) present documented allegations of failure to comply with the Commission's Equal Employment Opportunity rules and policies, or the applicant in question falls outside the applicable processing criteria in its employment of women and minorities.

(2) Petitions and other requests for reconsideration of actions taken by the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission, present facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy, or request reconsideration of orders designating cases for hearing.

(3) Applications for review of actions taken by the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, which comply with § 1.115 of this chapter.

(4) Petitions and other requests for waiver of Commission rules, whether or not accompanied by an application, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission, or present facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy.

(5) Petitions and other requests for declaratory rulings, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission, or present facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy.

(6) Petitions for rulemaking which have been accepted under § 1.403, and final dispositions of rulemaking proceedings not involving routine changes in the FM and TV Tables of Assignments.

(7) Petitions and other requests for waiver of the prime-time access rule, in areas where Commission policy is not clearly established.

(8) Petitions and other requests for long-term waiver of the policy limiting affiliations by commonly owned networks in the same market.

(9) Petitions and other requests for waiver of the sponsorship identification provisions of the Communications Act, in accordance with section 317(d) thereof.

(10) Any other petition, pleading, or request presenting novel questions of fact, law, or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(c) Administration and enforcement. (1) Proposed orders to show cause why station licenses or construction permits should not be revoked.

(2) Proposed actions following any case remanded by the courts.

(3) Notices of opportunity for hearing pursuant to § 1.80(g) of this chapter, and notices of apparent liability, final forfeiture orders, and orders cancelling or reducing forfeitures imposed under § 1.80(f) of this chapter if the amount set out in the notice of apparent liability is more than $20,000, except that all forfeiture matters relating to the Commission's equal employment opportunity rules shall be referred to the Commission.

(4) Proposed public notices expressing Commission policy, interpreting the provisions of law, regulations, or treaties, or warning the broadcast industry as to certain types of violations.

(5) Problems involving apparent violation of the Commission's rules governing equal employment opportunities or otherwise indicating the existence of discriminatory practices which, in the opinion of the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should be brought to the attention of FCC Commissioners.

(6) Any other complaint or enforcement matter presenting novel questions of fact, law, or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(a) In discharging the authority conferred by § 0.283 of this part, the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, shall establish working relationships with other bureaus and staff offices to assure the effective coordination of actions taken in the following areas of joint responsibility;

(1) Complaints arising under sections 315 and 605 of the Communications Act—Office of General Counsel.

(2) Objections to proposed call signs and requests for waiver of procedural rules governing call sign assignments—Office of Managing Director.

(3) Requests for waiver of tower painting and lighting specifications-Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

(4) Matters involving emergency communications, including the issuance of Emergency Alert System Authorizations (FCC Form 392) Compliance and Information Bureau.

(5) Requests for use of frequencies or bands of frequencies shared with private sector nonbroadcast or government services—Office of Engineeringand Technology and appropriate operating bureau.

(6) Requests involving coordination with other agencies of government—Office of General Counsel, Office of Engineering and Technology and appropriate operating bureau.

(7) Proposals involving transmitter sites on public lands owned or controlled by the Departments of Agriculture or Interior—Office of Engineering and Technology.

(8) Proposals involving possible harmful impact on radio astronomy or radio research installations—Office of Engineering and Technology.

(9) [Reserved]

(b) With respect to non-routine applications granted under authority delegated in § 0.283 of this part, the Chief, Mass Media Bureau or his designees, shall enter on the working papers associated with each application a narrative justification of the action taken. While not available for public inspection, these working papers shall, upon request, be made available to the Commissioners and members of their staffs.

(c) The Chief, Mass Media Bureau, shall prepare and submit to the Commission a quarterly statistical summary of actions taken during the preceding quarter under authority delegated to him in § 0.283 of this part. The statistical summary shall be accompanied by a statement of industry trends apparent in the staff handling of non-routine matters during the same quarter.

The history card, the station file, and other appropriate files are designated to be the official record of the action taken by the Chief of the Mass Media Bureau.

The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau, is hereby delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.91, subject to the following exceptions and limitations.

(a) Authority concerning applications. (1) The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to act on any formal or informal common carrier applications or section 214 applications for common carrier services which are in hearing status.

(2) The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to act on any applications or requests which present novel questions of fact, law or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(b) Authority concerning section 220 of the Act. The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to promulgate regulations or orders prescribing permanent depreciation rates for common carriers, or to prescribe interim depreciation rates to be effective more than one year, pursuant to section 220 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(c) Authority concerning section 221(a) of the Act. (1) The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to determine whether hearings shall be held on applications filed under section 221(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, where a request has been made by a telephone company, an association of telephone companies, a State Commission or local government authority.

(2) The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to act upon applications filed under section 221(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, where the proposed expenditure for consolidation, acquisition or control is in excess of $10 million.

(3) The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to act upon any application, petition or request under section 221(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which presents novel questions of fact, law or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(d) Authority to designate for hearing. The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to designate for hearing any formal complaints which present novel questions of law or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents or guidelines. The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to designate for hearing any applications except applications for facilities where the issues presented relate solely to whether the applicant has complied with outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(e) Authority concerning forfeitures. The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to impose, reduce or cancel forfeitures pursuant to Section 203 or Section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in amounts of more than $80,000.

(f) Authority concerning applications for review. The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall not have authority to act upon any applications for review of actions taken by the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau, pursuant to any delegated authority.

(g) Authority concerning rulemaking and investigatory proceedings. The Chief, Common Carrier Bureau, shall not have authority to issue notices of proposed rulemaking, notices of inquiry, or reports or orders arising from either of the foregoing, except that the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau, shall have authority, in consultation and coordination with the Chief, International Bureau, to issue and revise a manual on the details of the reporting requirements for international carriers set forth in § 43.61(d) of this chapter.

(h) Authority concerning the issuance of subpoenas. The Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau or her/his designee is authorized to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of matters within the jurisdiction of the Common Carrier Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

The application and authorization files in the appropriate central files of the Common Carrier Bureau are designated as the Commission's official records of actions by the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau pursuant to authority delegated to the Chief.

Authority is delegated to the Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau jointly in cooperation with the Chief Engineer to act upon applications for registration of equipment to be directly connected to the telephone network; Provided, however, That the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau shall exercise overall policy direction of the program, with appropriate consultation with the Chief Engineer (For record of actions taken under this section, see § 0.247).

The performance of functions and activities described in § 0.111 is delegated to the Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, provided that:

(a) The following matters shall be referred by the Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau to the Commission en banc for disposition:

(1) Notices of proposed rulemaking and of inquiry and final orders in rulemaking and inquiry proceedings.

(2) Applications for review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority. (See § 1.115 of this chapter).

(3) Petitions and other requests for waiver of Commission rules, whether or not accompanied by an application, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission, or present facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy.

(4) Petitions and other requests for declaratory rulings, when such petitions or requests contain new or novel arguments not previously considered by the Commission, or present facts or arguments which appear to justify a change in Commission policy.

(5) Any other petition, pleading, or request presenting new or novel questions of fact, law, or policy, which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines after consultation with appropriate Bureaus or offices.

(6) Any other complaint or enforcement matter presenting new or novel questions of fact, law, or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines after consultation with appropriate Bureaus or offices.

(b) The Chief and the Deputy Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau are authorized to declare that a state of general communications emergency exists and to act on behalf of the Commission pursuant to the provision of § 97.107 of this chapter with respect to the operation of amateur stations during a state of general communications emergency.

(c) Rulings and orders concerning radio operator matters in a hearing status shall not be made by the Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau.

(d)(1) The Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to issue notices of apparent liability, final forfeiture orders, and orders cancelling or reducing forfeitures, pursuant to § 1.80 of this chapter, if the amount set out in the notice of apparent liability is $20,000 or less. The Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to further delegate this authority.

(2) The Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to issue citations pursuant to § 1.80(d) of this chapter and to further delegate this authority.

(e) The Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to make determinations and notifications of the presence of harmful interference to radio communications involving safety of life or protection of property which requires temporary suspension of operation under § 74.23 of this chapter. Upon invoking the authority granted pursuant to this section, the Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau shall immediately inform the Chairman of the Commission.

(f) The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, is authorized to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records relating to investigations under the authority of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Before issuing a subpoena, the bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(g) The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau is delegated authority to grant waivers of the requirements of part 11 of this chapter to participants required to install, operate or test Emergency Alert System (EAS) equipment. The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau is further authorized to delegate this authority. Waiver requests must made in writing and forwarded to the FCC's EAS office 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20554. Such requests must state the reason why the waiver is necessary and provide sufficient information such as, statements of fact regarding the financial status of the broadcast station, the number of other broadcast stations providing coverage in its service area or the likelihood of hazardous risks to justify a grant of the waiver.

(h) The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau is delegated authority to execute in the name of the Commission all agreements pertaining to the loan of United States Government property to broadcast stations or otherentities participating in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for national defense purposes. The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to delegate this authority.

(i)(1) The Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to rely on reports, documents or log entries made by the holder of an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate as certification that the vessel complies with requirements of Articles XI, XII, and XIII of the Great Lakes Agreement. The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to delegate this authority.

(2) The Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau is authorized to rely on reports, documents, or log entries made by the holder of an FCC license or Certificate—detailed in § 80.59 of this Chapter—as certification that a U.S. vessel required to be equipped with a radio installation and inspected by the Commission or an entity designated by the Commission, under the Safety Convention or subparts Q, R, S, U, or W of part 80 of this chapter meets such inspection requirements. The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau is further authorized to delegate this authority.

The Engineer in Charge at each installation is delegated authority to act upon applications, requests, or other matters, which are not in hearing status, and direct the following activities necessary to conduct investigations or inspections:

(a)-(b) [Reserved]

(c) On informal requests from broadcast stations to extend temporary authority for operation without monitors, plate ammeter, plate voltmeter, base current meter, common point meter, and transmission line meter from FM and television stations.

(d) [Reserved]

(e)(1) For periodic survey as required by section 385 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and issuance of Communications Act radiotelephony certificates in accordance with § 80.903 of this chapter. The District Director or Resident Agent will require that the inspection be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician holding an appropriate class of FCC license in accordance with § 80.59 of this chapter.

(2) Extend the Communications Act Safety Radiotelephony Certificate for a period of up to 90 days beyond the specified expiration date.

(3) Grant emergency exemption requests, extensions or waivers of inspection to ships in accordance with applicable provisions of the Communications Act, the Safety Convention, the Great Lakes Agreement or the Commission's rules.

(f) [Reserved]

(g) To act on and make determinations on behalf of the Commission regarding requests for assignments and reassignments of priorities under the Telecommunications Service Priority System, Part 64 of the rules, when circumstances require immediate action and the common carrier seeking to provide service states that it cannot contact the National Communications System or the Commission office normally responsible for such assignments.

(h) Require special equipment and program tests during inspections or investigations to determine compliance with technical requirements specified by the Commission.

(i) Require stations to operate with pre-sunrise and nighttime facilities during daytime hours in order that an inspection or investigation may be made by an authorized Commission representative to determine operating parameters.

(j) For ship radio inspection and certification of the ship radio license, pursuant to the requirements of Section 362(b) and 385 of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The District Director or Resident Agent will require that the inspection be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician holding an appropriate class of FCC license in accordance with § 80.59 of this chapter.

(k) Issue a Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate or a Safety Radiotelephony Certificate in accordance with the terms of Regulations 12 and 13, Chapter I, of the Safety Convention.

(l) For inspection or periodical survey as required by Article XII of the Great Lakes Agreement and certification prescribed by Article XIII thereof. The District Director may require that the inspection be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician holding an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.

(m) Issuances of notices and orders to operators of industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment, as provided in § 18.115 of this chapter.

(n) Requests for permission to resume operation of ISM equipment on a temporary basis, as provided by § 18.115 of this chapter, and requests for extensions of time within which to file final reports, as provided by § 18.117 of this chapter.

(o)-(w) [Reserved]

(x) When deemed necessary by the Engineer-in-Charge of a Commission field facility to assure compliance with the Rules, a station licensee shall maintain a record of such operating and maintenance records as may be necessary to resolve conditions of interference or deficient technical operation.

The application, authorization, and other appropriate central files of the Compliance and Information Bureau are designated as the Commission's official records of action taken pursuant to authority delegated under §§ 0.311 and 0.314, and shall constitute the official Commission minutes entry of such actions.

The Chief, Cable Services Bureau is delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.101, subject to the following exceptions and limitations:

(a) Designate for hearing any formal complaints that present novel questions of fact, law or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents for guidelines;

(b) Impose, reduce, or cancel forfeitures pursuant to section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in amounts of more than $20,000;

(c) Act upon any applications for review of actions taken by the Chief, Cable Services Bureau pursuant to any delegated authority which comply with § 1.115 of this chapter;

(d) Issue notices of proposed rulemaking, notices of inquiry or to issue report and orders arising from either of the foregoing, except that the Chief, Cable Services Bureau shall have authority to issue notices of rulemaking and report and orders redesignating market areas in accordance with section 614(f) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; and

(e) Act on any applications in the Cable Television Relay Service that present novel questions of fact, law, or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

The original file, the station file, and other appropriate files are designated to be the official record of the action taken by the Chief of the Cable Services Bureau.

The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, is hereby delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.131, subject to the following exceptions and limitations.

(a) Authority concerning applications. (1) The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau shall not have authority to act on any radio applications that are in hearing status.

(2) The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau shall not have authority to act on any complaints, petitions or requests, whether or not accompanied by an application, when such complaints, petitions or requests present new or novel questions of law or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding Commission precedents and guidelines.

(b) Authority concerning forfeitures and penalties. The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, shall not have authority to impose, reduce, or cancel forfeitures pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and imposed under regulations in this chapter in amounts of more than $80,000 for commercial radio providers and $20,000 for private radio providers. Payments for bid withdrawal, default or to prevent unjust enrichment that are imposed pursuant to Section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and regulations in this chapter implementing Section 309(j) governing auction authority, are excluded from this restriction.

(c) Authority concerning applications for review. The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau shall not have authority to act upon any applications for review of actions taken by the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau pursuant to any delegated authority, except that the Chief may dismiss any such application that does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115 (d) and (f) of this chapter.

(d) Authority concerning rulemaking proceedings. The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau shall not have the authority to act upon notices of proposed rulemaking and inquiry, final orders in rulemaking proceedings and inquiry proceedings, and reports arising from any of the foregoing except such orders involving ministerial conforming amendments to rule parts, or orders conforming any of the applicable rules to formally adopted international conventions or agreements where novel questions of fact, law, or policy are not involved. Also, the addition of new Marine VHF frequency coordination committee(s) to § 80.514 of this chapter need not be referred to the Commission if they do not involve novel questions of fact, policy or law, as well as requests by the United States Coast Guard to:

(1) Designate radio protection areas for mandatory Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and establish marine channels as VTS frequencies for these areas; or

(2) Designate regions for shared commercial and non-commercial vessel use of VHF marine frequencies.

In discharging the authority conferred by § 0.331, the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, shall establish working relationships with other bureaus and staff offices to assure the effective coordination of actions taken in the following areas of joint responsibility:

(a) Complaints arising under section 605 of the Communications Act—Office of General Counsel.

(b) Requests for waiver of tower painting and lighting specifications—Compliance and Information Bureau.

(c) Matters involving emergency communications—Compliance and Information Bureau.

(d) Complaints involving equal employment opportunities—Office of General Counsel.

(e) Requests for use of frequencies or bands of frequencies shared with broadcast, common carrier, or government services—Office of Engineering and Technology and appropriate operating bureau.

(f) Requests involving coordination with other Federal or state agencies when appropriate—Office of General Counsel, Office of Engineering and Technology or operating bureau.

(g) Proposals involving possible harmful impact on radio astronomy or radio research installations—Office of Engineering and Technology.

(a) After an administrative law judge has been designated to preside at ahearing and until he has issued an initial decision or certified the record to the Commission for decision, or the proceeding has been transferred to another administrative law judge, all motions, petitions and other pleadings shall be acted upon by such administrative law judge, except the following:

(1) Those which are to be acted upon by the Commission. See § 1.291(a)(1) of this chapter.

(2) Those which are to be acted upon by the Chief Administrative Law Judge under § 0.351.

(b) Any question which would be acted upon by the administrative law judge if it were raised by the parties to the proceeding may be raised and acted upon by the administrative law judge on his own motion.

(c) Any question which would be acted upon by the Chief Administrative Law Judge or the Commission, if it were raised by the parties, may be certified by the administrative law judge, on his own motion, to the Chief Administrative Law Judge, or the Commission, as the case may be.

(d) In the conduct of routine broadcast comparative hearings involving applicants for only new facilities, i.e., cases that do not involve numerous applicants and/or motions to enlarge issues, the presiding administrative law judge shall make every effort to conclude the case within nine months of the release of the hearing designation order. In so doing, the presiding judge will make every effort to release an initial decision in such cases within 90 days of the filing of the last responsive pleading.

(e) Upon assignment by the Chief Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Law Judges, including the Chief Judge, will act as settlement judges in appropriate cases. See 47 CFR 1.244 of this chapter.

The official record of all actions taken by an Administrative Law Judge, including initial and recommended decisions and actions taken pursuant to § 0.341, is contained in the original docket folder, which is maintained by the Secretary in the Dockets Branch.

The Chief Administrative Law Judge shall act on the following matters in proceedings conducted by hearing examiners:

(a) Initial specifications of the time and place of hearings where not otherwise specified by the Commission and excepting actions under authority delegated by § 0.296.

(b) Designation of the hearing examiner to preside at hearings.

(c) Orders directing the parties or their attorneys to appear at a specified time and place before the hearing examiner for an initial prehearing conference in accordance with § 1.251(a) of this chapter. (The administrative law judge named to preside at the hearing may order an initial prehearing conference although the Chief Administrative Law Judge may not have seen fit to do so and may order supplementary prehearing conferences in accordance with § 1.251(b) of this chapter.)

(d) Petitions requesting a change in the place of hearing where the hearing is scheduled to begin in the District of Columbia or where the hearing is scheduled to begin at a field location and all appropriate proceedings at that location have not been completed. (See § 1.253 of this chapter.) However, if all parties to a proceeding concur in holding all hearing sessions in the District of Columbia rather than at any field location, the presiding administrative law judge may act on the request.

(e) In the absence of the administrative law judge who has been designated to preside in a proceeding, to discharge the administrative law judge's functions.

(f) All pleadings filed, or matters which arise, after a proceeding has been designated for hearing, but before a law judge has been designated, which would otherwise be acted upon by the law judge, including all pleadings filed, or matters which arise, in cease and desist and/or revocation proceedings priorto the designation of a presiding officer.

(g) All pleadings (such as motions for extension of time) which are related to matters to be acted upon by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(h) If the administrative law judge designated to preside at a hearing becomes unavailable, to order a rehearing or to order that the hearing continue before another administrative law judge and, in either case, to designate the judge who is to preside.

(i) The consolidation of related proceedings pursuant to § 1.227(a) of this chapter, after designation of those proceedings for hearing.

The official record of all actions taken by the Chief Administrative Law Judge in docketed proceedings pursuant to § 0.351 is contained in the original docket folder, which is maintained by the Secretary in the Dockets Branch.

The authority delegated to the Commission under Executive Order 11490 is redelegated to the Defense Commissioner.

(a) During any period in which the Commission is unable to function because of the circumstances set forth in § 0.186(b), all work, business or functions of the Federal Communications Commission arising under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is assigned and referred to the Emergency Relocation Board.

(b) The Board, acting by a majority thereof, shall have the power and authority to hear and determine, order, certify, report or otherwise act as to any of the said work, business or functions so assigned or referred to it, and in respect thereof shall have all the jurisdiction and powers conferred by law upon the Commission, and be subject to the same duties and obligations.

(c) Any order, decision or report made or other action taken by the said Board in respect of any matters so assigned or referred shall have the same effect and force, and may be made, evidenced, and enforced in the same manner, as if made or taken by the Commission.

(a) For authority of the Chief of the Mass Media Bureau to issue Emergency Broadcast System Authorizations (FCC Form 392), see §§ 0.284(a)(4) and 73.913.

(b) For authority of the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Compliance and Information Bureau to declare a general communications emergency, see § 0.311.

The Director, Office of Workplace Diversity, or his/her designee, is hereby delegated authority to:

(a) Manage the Commission's internal EEO compliance program pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Equal Pay Act, and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Executive Orders, with authority that includes appointing EEO counselors, investigators, and mediators; investigating complaints of employment discrimination, and recommending to the Chairman final agency decisions on EEO complaints;

(b) Mediate EEO complaints;

(c) Develop the Commission's affirmative action goals and objectives;

(d) Collect and analyze data on the Commission's affirmative action and EEO activities and accomplishments;

(e) Prepare and release reports on EEO, affirmative action, workplace diversity, and related subjects;

(f) Review personnel activities, including hiring, promotions, discipline, training, awards, and performance recognition for conformance with EEO and workplace diversity goals, objectives and requirements;

(g) Conduct studies and collect data on workplace diversity issues and problems;

(h) Assume representational role on behalf of the Commission at conferences, meetings, and negotiations on EEO and workplace diversity issues;

(i) Develop programs and strategies designed to foster and encourage fairness, equality, and inclusion of all employees in the workforce.

The Commission maintains several offices and receipt locations. Applications and other filings not submitted in accordance with the addresses or locations set forth below will be returned to the applicant without processing. When an application or other filing does not involve the payment of a fee, the appropriate filing address or location is established elsewhere in the rules for the various types of submissions made to the Commission. The public should identify the correct filing location by reference to these rules. Applications or submissions requiring fees must be submitted in accordance with § 0.401(b) of the rules irrespective of the addresses that may be set out elsewhere in the rules for other submissions.

(a) General correspondence, as well as applications and filings not requiring the fees set forth at part 1, subpart G of the rules (or not claiming an exemption, waiver or deferral from the fee requirement), should be delivered to one of the following locations.

(1) The main office of the Commission is located at 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC.

(i) Documents submitted by mail to this office should be addressed to: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

(ii) Hand-carried documents should be delivered to the Secretary's Office, 1919 M Street, NW., Room 222, Washington, DC.

(iii) Electronic filings, where permitted, must be transmitted as specified by the Commission or relevant Bureau or Office.

(2) The Commission's laboratory is located near Columbia, Maryland. The mailing address is:

(3) The Commission also maintains offices at Gettysburg, PA.

(i) The address of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's licensing facilities are:

(A) Federal Communications Commission, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245; and

(B) Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Washington, DC 20554.

(ii) The mailing address of the International Telecommunications Section of the Finance Branch is: Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box IT-70, Gettysburg, PA 17326.

(4) The locations of the field offices of the Compliance and Information Bureau are listed in § 0.121.

(5) The location of the Office of General Counsel is Room 614, 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20554.

(b) Applications or filings requiring the fees set forth at part 1, subpart G of the rules must be delivered to the Commission's lockbox bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with the correct fee and completed Fee Form attached to the application or filing, unless otherwise directed by the Commission. In the case of any conflict between this rule subpart and other rules establishing filing locations for submissions subject to a fee, this subpart shall govern.

(1) Applications and filings submitted by mail shall be addressed to the Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The bank maintains separate post office boxes for the receipt of different types of applications. It will also establish special post office boxes to receive responses to special filings such as applications filed in response to “filing windows” established by the Commission. The address for the submission of filings will be established in the Public Notice announcing the filing dates. In all other cases, applications and filings submitted by mail should be sent to the addresses listed in the appropriate fee rules.

(2) Applications and other filings may also be hand carried, in person or by courier, to the Mellon Bank, Three Mellon Bank Center, 525 William Penn Way, 27th Floor, room 153-2713, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All applications and filings delivered in this manner must be in an envelope clearly marked for the “Federal Communications Commission,” addressed to the attention of “Wholesale Lockbox Shift Supervisor,” and identified with the appropriate Post Office Box address as set out in the fee schedule (§§ 1.1102-1.1107). Applications should be enclosed in a separate envelope for each Post Office Box. Hand-carried or couriered applications and filings may be delivered at any time on any day. Applications or filings received by the bank before midnight on any Commission business day will be treated as having been filed on that day. Materials received by the bank after midnight, Monday through Friday, or on weekends or holidays, will be treated as having been filed on the next Commission business day.