(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 to boards or committees of commissioners.

(2) Delegations to rule on interlocutory matters in hearing proceedings. Delegations in this category are made to any person, other than the Commission, designated to serve as the presiding officer in a hearing proceeding pursuant to § 1.241.

(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 and 1.302. 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 through 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.

[28 FR 12402, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 50 FR 26567, June 27, 1985; 62 FR 4170, Jan. 29, 1997; 76 FR 70907, Nov. 16, 2011; 85 FR 63171, Oct. 6, 2020]

(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.

[28 FR 12402, Nov. 22, 1963]

(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/her.

(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 chairperson.

(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.

[33 FR 8227, June 1, 1968, as amended at 38 FR 18550, July 12, 1973; 62 FR 4170, Jan. 29, 1997; 88 FR 21429, Apr. 10, 2023]

The responsibility for the general administration of internal affairs of the Commission is delegated to the Chairperson of the Commission. The Chairperson 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 Chairperson may take final action.

(b) Actions of non-routine character which do not involve policy determinations. The Chairperson 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 Chairperson 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 the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Federal Management Circulars.

(f) Authority to act as “Head of the Agency” or “Agency Head” for all administrative determinations pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Laws 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA).

[28 FR 12402, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 49095, Nov. 8, 1976; 51 FR 23550, June 30, 1986; 69 FR 27847, May 17, 2004; 76 FR 70907, Nov. 16, 2011; 88 FR 21429, Apr. 10, 2023]

(a) Whenever the Chairperson or Acting Chairperson of the Commission determines that a quorum of the Commission is not present or able to act, he/she 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, except that the Board may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(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.

[30 FR 9314, July 27, 1965, as amended at 86 FR 12546, Mar. 4, 2021; 88 FR 21430, Apr. 10, 2023]

(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.

[27 FR 7931, Aug. 10, 1962]

(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.

(f) (1) The Managing Director, or his designee, is delegated authority to perform all administrative determinations provided for by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Laws 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA), including, but not limited to the provisions of Title 31, United States Code section 3711 to:

(i) Collect claims of the United States Government for money or property arising out of the activities of, or referred to, the Federal Communications Commission,

(ii) Compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) or such higher amount as the Attorney General of the United States may from time to time prescribe, and

(iii) Suspend or end collection action on a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) when it appears that no person liable on the claim has the present or prospective ability to pay a significant amount of the claim or the cost of collecting the claim is likely to be more than the amount recovered.

(2)(i) This delegation does not include waiver authority provided by 31 U.S.C. 3720B.

(ii) The Chief Financial Officer, or the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, is delegated authority to perform all administrative determinations provided for by 31 U.S.C. 3720B.

(g) The Managing Director, after consultation with the Chairperson shall establish, renew, and terminate all Federal advisory committees. He/She 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.

(j) The Managing Director or his designee is delegated the authority, after seeking the opinion of the General Counsel, to determine, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for federal agencies the organizations, programs (including funds), and accounts that are required to be included in the financial statements of the Commission.

(k) The Managing Director, or his designee, after seeking the opinion of the General Counsel, is delegated the authority to direct all organizations, programs (including funds), and accounts that are required to be included in the financial statements of the Commission to comply with all relevant and applicable federal financial management and reporting statutes.

(l) The Managing Director is delegated authority to issue subpoenas for the Office of Managing Director's oversight of audits of the USF programs and other financial assistance programs, and the Office of Managing Director's review and evaluation of the interstate telecommunications relay services fund, the North American numbering plan, regulatory fee collection, FCC operating expenses, and debt collection. Before issuing a subpoena, the Office of Managing Director shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

Cross Reference:

47 CFR part 19, subpart E.

[29 FR 14666, Oct. 28, 1964] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 0.231, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

(a) The performance of functions and activities described in § 0.31 is delegated to the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology: Provided that the following matters shall be referred to the Commission en banc for disposition:

(1) Notice of proposed rulemaking and of inquiry and final orders in rulemaking proceedings, inquiry proceedings and non-editorial orders making changes, except that:

(i) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority, together with the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, to adopt certain technical standards applicable to hearing aid compatibility under § 20.19 of this chapter, as specified in § 20.19(k).

(ii) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority, by notice-and-comment rulemaking if required by statute or otherwise in the public interest, to issue an order amending rules in parts 2, 5, 15, or 18 of this chapter that reference industry standards to specify revised versions of the standards. This delegation is limited to modifying rules to reference revisions to standards that are already in the rules and not to incorporate a new standard into the rules, and is limited to the approval of changes to the technical standards that do not raise major compliance issues.

(2) Applications for review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) 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 of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority to administer the Equipment Authorization program as described in part 2 of this chapter.

(c) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority to administer the Experimental Radio licensing program pursuant to part 5 of this chapter.

(d) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology 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, Media Bureau.

(e) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology 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(e) of this chapter. In addition, the Chief is authorized to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual accrediting organizations and accredited laboratories.

(g) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority to enter into agreements with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to perform accreditation of Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) pursuant to §§ 2.960 and 2.962 of this chapter. In addition, the Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to accredit TCBs, to designate TCBs, to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual TCBs, and to develop procedures that TCBs will use for performing post-market surveillance.

(h) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority to administer the database functions for unlicensed devices operating in the television broadcast bands (TV bands) as set forth in subpart H of part 15 of this chapter. The Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to designate TV bands database managers, to designate these database managers; to develop procedures that these database managers will use to ensure compliance with the requirements for database operations; to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual database managers; and to perform other functions as needed for the administration of the TV bands databases. The Chief is also delegated authority jointly with the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to administer provisions of § 15.713(h)(8) of this chapter pertaining to the registration of event sites where large numbers of wireless microphones that operate on frequencies specified in § 74.802 of this chapter are used.

(i) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority to make nonsubstantive, editorial revisions to the Commission's rules and regulations contained in parts 2, 4, 5, 15, and 18 of this chapter.

(j) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority jointly with the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to administer the Spectrum Access System (SAS) and SAS Administrator functions set forth in part 96 of this chapter. The Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to designate SAS Administrators; to designate SAS Administrators; to develop procedures that these SAS Administrators will use to ensure compliance with the requirements for SAS operation; to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual SAS Administrators; and to perform other functions as needed for the administration of the SAS. The Chief is delegated the authority to perform these same functions with regard to the Environmental Sensing Capability.

(k) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority to administer the Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system and AFC system operator functions set forth in subpart E of part 15 of this chapter. The Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to designate AFC system operators; to designate AFC system operators; to develop procedures that these AFC system operators will use to ensure compliance with the requirements for AFC system operations; to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual AFC system operators; and to perform other functions as needed for the administration of the AFC systems.

(l) The Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology is delegated authority, jointly with the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, to establish and administer a process for review of proposed technologies for point-to-endpoint-in-motion communications to aircraft and ships in the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands to ensure compliance with the requirements adopted by the Commission.

[51 FR 41106, Nov. 13, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 18088, Apr. 29, 1992; 60 FR 5324, Jan. 27, 1995; 60 FR 32119, June 20, 1995; 61 FR 4918, Feb. 9, 1996; 61 FR 31045, June 19, 1996; 62 FR 48952, Sept. 18, 1997; 64 FR 4995, Feb. 2, 1999; 67 FR 13220, Mar. 21, 2002; 69 FR 70337, Dec. 3, 2004; 73 FR 9463, Feb. 21, 2008; 73 FR 25587, May 7, 2008; 75 FR 75835, Dec. 6, 2010; 80 FR 33438, June 12, 2015; 80 FR 36217, June 23, 2015; 85 FR 31410, May 26, 2020; 86 FR 12546, Mar. 4, 2021; 89 FR 33258, Apr. 29, 2024]

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.

[33 FR 8228, June 1, 1968, as amended at 44 FR 39179, July 5, 1979; 51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986]

(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 not reverse, 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 paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section is contained in the original docket folder, which is maintained by the Reference Information Center.

(f) The General Counsel is delegated authority to issue written determinations on matters regarding the interception of telephone conversations. Nothing in this paragraph, however, shall affect the authority of the Inspector General to intercept or record telephone conversations as necessary in the conduct of investigations or audits.

(g) The General Counsel is delegated authority to issue rulings on whether violations of the ex parte rules have occurred and to impose appropriate sanctions. The General Counsel shall refer to the Enforcement Bureau for disposition pursuant to § 0.311(b) any matter in which a forfeiture or a citation under 47 U.S.C. 503(b)(5) may be warranted. If the Enforcement Bureau determines that forfeiture or a citation is not warranted, the matter shall be referred back to the General Counsel for appropriate action.

(h) 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).

(i) The General Counsel is delegated authority to perform all administrative determinations provided for by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (1996) (DCIA), including, but not limited to the provisions of Title 31, U.S.C. 3711 to:

(1) Collect claims of the United States Government of money or property arising out of the activities of, or referred to, the Federal Communications Commission,

(2) Compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) or such higher amount as the Attorney General of the United States may from time to time prescribe, and

(3) Suspend or end collection action on a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) when it appears that no person liable on the claim has the present or prospective ability to pay a significant amount of the claim or the cost of collecting the claim is likely to be more than the amount recovered.

Note to paragraph (i):

This delegation does not include waiver authority provided by 31 U.S.C. 3720B.

(j) The General Counsel is delegated authority to act as the Commission's Chief FOIA Officer, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552(j). In this role, the General Counsel is delegated authority to dismiss FOIA applications for review that are untimely, repetitious, or fail to articulate specific grounds for review.

(Secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317, 48 Stat., as amended, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1068, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1088, 1089; 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 155, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317) [28 FR 12402, Nov. 22, 1963] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 0.251, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, the Chief, Space 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 act upon applications for satellite systems and earth stations pursuant to part 25 of this chapter.

(3) In conjunction with the Office of International Affairs, to notify the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of the United States' terrestrial and satellite assignments for inclusion in the Master International Frequency Register.

(4) To interpret and enforce rules and regulations pertaining to matters under its jurisdiction and not within the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Bureau.

(b) Notwithstanding the authority delegated in paragraph (a) of this section, the Chief, Space 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, Space Bureau, pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Space Bureau may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter;

(4) To act upon any formal or informal radio application which is in hearing status;

(5) To designate for hearing any applications except:

(i) Mutually exclusive applications for radio facilities filed pursuant to part 25, 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.

[88 FR 21430, Apr. 10, 2023]

The application and authorization files in the appropriate central files of the Space Bureau are designated as the Commission's official records of actions by the Chief, Space Bureau, pursuant to authority delegated to the Chief. The official records of action are maintained in the Reference Information Center.

[88 FR 21430, Apr. 10, 2023]

The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, is delegated authority to perform all functions and activities described in § 0.21 (and to perform the specified functions set forth in in paragraphs (f) through (i) of this section to the extent they fall within the subject matters over which the Office of Economics and Analytics has primary authority under § 0.21), subject to the exceptions and limitations in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section:

(a) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, shall not have authority to act on notices of proposed rulemaking and of inquiry, final orders in rulemaking proceedings and inquiry proceedings, and reports arising from any of the foregoing except such order involving ministerial conforming amendments to rule parts and notices and orders addressing the detailed procedures for implementation of auctions of spectrum and broadcast services and uses of competitive bidding to achieve other Commission policy objectives, including universal service support.

(b) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, shall not have authority to act on any complaints, petitions, pleadings, requests, or other matters presenting new or novel questions of fact, law, or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

(c) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, shall not have authority to act on any applications for review of actions taken by the Chief of the Office of Economics and Analytics pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(d) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, shall not have authority to act on any applications that are in hearing status.

(e) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, shall not have authority to impose, reduce or cancel forfeitures pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in amounts of more than $80,000. 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.

(f) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, is delegated authority to deny requests for extension of time or to extend the time within which comments may be filed.

(g) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, is authorized to dismiss or deny petitions for rulemaking that are repetitive or moot or that for other reasons plainly do not warrant consideration by the Commission.

(h) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, is authorized to dismiss or deny petitions for reconsideration to the extent permitted by § 1.429(l) of this chapter and to the extent permitted by § 1.106 of this chapter.

(i) The Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, is delegated authority to make nonsubstantive, editorial revisions to the Commission's rules and regulations contained in part 1, subparts Q, V, W, and AA, of this chapter.

[85 FR 34527, June 5, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 12547, Mar. 4, 2021]

The application and authorization files and other appropriate files of the Office of Economics and Analytics are designated as the Commission's official records of action of the Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, pursuant to authority delegated to the Chief. The official records of action are maintained by the Reference Information Center.

[88 FR 21430, Apr. 10, 2023]

In discharging the authority conferred by § 0.271, the Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, shall establish working relationships with other Bureaus and staff Offices to assure the effective coordination of actions taken in the analysis of regulatory impacts, including assessments of paperwork burdens and initial and final regulatory flexibility assessments.

[83 FR 63076, Dec. 7, 2018]

The Chief, Media Bureau, is delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.61, provided that the following matters shall be referred to the Commission en banc for disposition:

(a) Notices of proposed rulemaking and of inquiry and final orders in such proceedings, with the exception of rulemaking proceedings involving the allotment of FM and television channels.

(b) Application for review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Media Bureau may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(c) Matters that present novel questions of law, fact or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

(d) The imposition, reduction or cancellation of forfeitures pursuant to section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in amounts of more than $20,000.

[67 FR 13220, Mar. 21, 2002, as amended at 86 FR 12547, Mar. 4, 2021]

(a) In discharging the authority conferred by § 0.283 of this part, the Chief, 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 section 315 of the Communications Act—Office of General Counsel.

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

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

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

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

(b) With respect to non-routine applications granted under authority delegated in § 0.283 of this part, the Chief, 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.

[47 FR 47829, Oct. 28, 1982; 47 FR 56852, Dec. 21, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986; 52 FR 5288, Feb. 20, 1987; 59 FR 32132, June 22, 1994; 59 FR 67092, Dec. 28, 1994; 61 FR 8477, Mar. 5, 1996; 64 FR 60721, Nov. 8, 1999; 67 FR 13220, Mar. 21, 2002; 71 FR 69036, Nov. 29, 2006]

The history card, the station file, and other appropriate files are designated to be the official records of action taken by the Chief of the Media Bureau. The official records of action are maintained by the Reference Information Center.

[88 FR 21430, Apr. 10, 2023]

The Chief, Wireline Competition 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, Wireline Competition 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, Wireline Competition 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, Wireline Competition 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 forfeitures. The Chief, Wireline Competition 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.

(d) Authority concerning applications for review. The Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, shall not have authority to act upon any applications for review of actions taken by the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, pursuant to any delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(e) Authority concerning rulemaking and investigatory proceedings. The Chief, Wireline Competition 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, Wireline Competition Bureau, shall have authority, in consultation and coordination with the Chief, Office of International Affairs, to issue and revise a manual on the details of the reporting requirements for international carriers referenced in § 43.61(a)(3) of this chapter.

(f) Authority concerning the issuance of subpoenas. The Chief of the Wireline Competition 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 Wireline Competition Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(g) The Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, is delegated authority to enter into agreements with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to perform accreditation of Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) pursuant to §§ 68.160 and 68.162 of this chapter. In addition, the Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to accredit TCBs, to designate TCBs, to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual TCBs and to develop procedures that TCBs will use for performing post-market surveillance.

(h) [Reserved]

(i) Authority concerning schools and libraries support mechanism audits. The Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, shall have authority to address audit findings relating to the schools and libraries support mechanism. This authority is not subject to the limitation set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(Secs. 4, 5, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1068, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303; secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317, 48 Stat., as amended, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1068, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1089; 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 155, 303, 307, 308, 309, 315, 317) [44 FR 18501, Mar. 28, 1979] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 0.291, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

The application and authorization files are designated as the Commission's official records of action of the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau pursuant to authority delegated to the Chief. The official records of action are maintained by the Reference Information Center.

[88 FR 21430, Apr. 10, 2023]

Authority is delegated to the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau 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.

[64 FR 5950, Feb. 8, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13221, Mar. 21, 2002]

The Chief, Enforcement Bureau, is delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.111, provided that:

(a) 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 such proceedings.

(2) Applications for review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Enforcement Bureau may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(3) Matters that present novel questions of law, fact or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

(4) Forfeiture notices and forfeiture orders if the amount is more than $100,000 in the case of common carriers or more than $25,000 in the case of all other persons or entities.

(5) Orders concluding an investigation under section 208(b) of the Communications Act and orders addressing petitions for reconsideration of such orders.

(6) Release of information pursuant to section 220(f) of the Communications Act, except for release of such information to a state public utility commission or in response to a Freedom of Information Act Request.

(b) Action on complaints regarding compliance with section 705(a) of the Communications Act shall be coordinated with the Office of General Counsel.

[64 FR 60721, Nov. 8, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13221, Mar. 21, 2002; 71 FR 69036, Nov. 29, 2006; 86 FR 12547, Mar. 4, 2021]

The Regional Directors are 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) On informal requests from broadcast stations to extend temporary authority for operation without monitors, plate ammeter, plate volmeter, base current meter, common point meter, and transmission line meter from FM and television stations.

(b) 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. To the extent possible, all such actions and determinations shall be made in coordination with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

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

(d) Require stations to operate with the 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.

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

(f) Act on 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.

(g) Issue notices and orders to operators of part 15 devices, as provided in § 15.5 of this chapter.

(h) Issue notices and orders to suspend operations to multi-channel video programming distributors, as provided in § 76.613 of this chapter.

(i) Issue notices and orders to suspend operations to part 74 licensees, as provided in § 74.23 of this chapter.

[64 FR 60721, Nov. 8, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13221, Mar. 21, 2002; 71 FR 69036, Nov. 29, 2006; 78 FR 23151, Apr. 18, 2013; 80 FR 53749, Sept. 8, 2015]

The application, authorization, and other appropriate files of the Enforcement 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 official records of action are maintained by the Reference Information Center.

[88 FR 21431, Apr. 10, 2023]

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 91584, Nov. 20, 2024.

The Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, is hereby delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.131, subject to the exceptions and limitations in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, and also the functions described in paragraphs (e) through (g) of this section.

(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.

(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 of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau pursuant to any delegated authority, except that the Chief may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115 (d) or (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. Orders conforming any of the applicable rules in part 17 of this chapter to rules formally adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration also need not be referred to the Commission if they do not involve novel questions of fact, law, or policy. In addition, revisions to the airport terminal use list in § 90.35(c)(61) of this chapter and revisions to the Government Radiolocation list in § 90.371(b) of this chapter need not be referred to the Commission. Adoption of certain technical standards applicable to hearing aid compatibility under § 20.19 of this chapter made together with the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology, as specified in § 20.19(k) of this chapter, also need not be referred to the Commission. 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.

(3) Designate by footnote to frequency table in § 80.373(f) of this chapter marine VHF frequencies are available for intership port operations communications in defined port areas.

(e) The Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is delegated authority jointly with the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology to administer provisions of § 15.713(h)(8) of this chapter pertaining to the registration of event sites where large numbers of wireless microphones that operate on frequencies specified in § 74.802 of this chapter are used.

(f) The Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is delegated authority jointly with the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology to administer the Spectrum Access System (SAS) and SAS Administrator functions set forth in part 96 of this chapter. The Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to designate SAS Administrators; to designate SAS Administrators; to develop procedures that these SAS Administrators will use to ensure compliance with the requirements for SAS operation; to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual SAS Administrators; and to perform other functions as needed for the administration of the SAS. The Chief is delegated the authority to perform these same functions with regard to the Environmental Sensing Capability.

(g) Authority concerning review of certain proposed technologies in the 71-76 and 81-86 GHz bands. The Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is delegated authority, jointly with the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology, to establish and administer a process for review of proposed technologies for point-to-endpoint-in-motion communications to aircraft and ships in the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands to ensure compliance with the requirements adopted by the Commission. The Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is also delegated authority to establish and administer specific procedures to be followed for coordinating and registering aeronautical and maritime stations and their associated transmissions.

(h) Authority concerning space launch services programs and licensing. The Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is delegated authority to administer the Commission's space launch services programs (part 26 of this chapter) and the issuing of space launch services licenses. The Chief is delegated authority to develop specific methods that will be used to develop an application filing procedure for initial authorization and subsequent station registration; to seek comment on the circumstances attending the designation of a third-party space launch frequency coordinator, including a mechanism for selecting a frequency coordinator; to develop procedures that the space launch frequency coordinator will use to ensure compliance with the coordination requirements for space launch operations; and to perform other functions as needed for the administration of the space launch services.

[60 FR 35506, July 10, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 26465, May 28, 1996; 62 FR 40285, July 28, 1997; 65 FR 43715, July 14, 2000; 67 FR 63284, Oct. 11, 2002; 69 FR 46440, Aug. 3, 2004; 73 FR 25587, May 7, 2008; 75 FR 75835, Dec. 6, 2010; 79 FR 56984, Sept. 24, 2014; 80 FR 36218, June 23, 2015; 85 FR 34527, June 5, 2020; 86 FR 12547, Mar. 4, 2021; 89 FR 33258, Apr. 29, 2024; 89 FR 63313, Aug. 5, 2024]

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) [Reserved]

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

(c) Matters involving public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, and disaster management communications—the Public Safety and Homeland Security 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.

[40 FR 4423, Jan. 30, 1975, as amended at 44 FR 11070, Feb. 27, 1979; 44 FR 39180, July 5, 1979; 50 FR 27953, July 9, 1985; 51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986; 51 FR 20290, June 4, 1986; 52 FR 5288, Feb. 20, 1987; 59 FR 26971, May 25, 1994; 60 FR 5325, Jan. 27, 1995; 60 FR 35507, July 10, 1995; 61 FR 8477, Mar. 5, 1996; 64 FR 60722, Nov. 8, 1999; 71 FR 69037, Nov. 29, 2006]

(a) After a presiding officer (other than the Commission) has been designated to conduct a hearing proceeding, and until he or she has issued an initial decision or certified the record to the Commission for decision, or the proceeding has been transferred to another presiding officer, all motions, petitions and other matters that may arise during the proceeding shall be acted upon by such presiding officer, except those which are to be acted upon by the Commission. See § 1.291(a)(1) of this chapter.

(b) Any question which would be acted upon by the presiding officer if it were raised by the parties to the proceeding may be raised and acted upon by the presiding officer on his or her own motion.

(c) Any question which would be acted upon by the presiding officer (other than the Commission) may be certified to the Commission on the presiding officer's own motion.

(d) Except for actions taken during the course of a hearing and upon the record thereof, actions taken by a presiding officer pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be recorded in writing and filed in the official record of the proceeding.

(e) The presiding officer may waive any rule governing the conduct of Commission hearings upon motion or upon the presiding officer's own motion for good cause, subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(f) The presiding officer may issue such orders and conduct such proceedings as will best conduce to the proper dispatch of business and the ends of justice.

(g)(1) For program carriage complaints filed pursuant to § 76.1302 of this chapter that the Chief, Media Bureau refers to a presiding officer for an initial decision, the presiding officer shall release an initial decision in compliance with one of the following deadlines:

(i) 240 calendar days after a party informs the presiding officer that it elects not to pursue alternative dispute resolution as set forth in § 76.7(g)(2) of this chapter; or

(ii) If the parties have mutually elected to pursue alternative dispute resolution pursuant to § 76.7(g)(2) of this chapter, within 240 calendar days after the parties inform the presiding officer that they have failed to resolve their dispute through alternative dispute resolution.

(2) The presiding officer may toll these deadlines under the following circumstances:

(i) If the complainant and defendant jointly request that the presiding officer toll these deadlines in order to pursue settlement discussions or alternative dispute resolution or for any other reason that the complainant and defendant mutually agree justifies tolling; or

(ii) If complying with the deadline would violate the due process rights of a party or would be inconsistent with fundamental fairness; or

(iii) In extraordinary situations, due to a lack of adjudicatory resources available at the time.

[85 FR 63171, Oct. 6, 2020]

The record of actions taken by a presiding officer, including initial and recommended decisions and actions taken pursuant to § 0.341, is available through the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). ECFS serves as the repository for records in the Commission's docketed proceedings from 1992 to the present. The public may use ECFS to retrieve all such records, as well as selected pre-1992 documents. The Office of the Secretary maintains copies of documents that include nonpublic information.

[85 FR 63171, Oct. 6, 2020]

(a) The Chief, Office of International Affairs, is hereby delegated the authority to perform the functions and activities described in § 0.19, including without limitation the following:

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

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

(6) To interpret and enforce rules and regulations pertaining to matters under its jurisdiction and not within the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Bureau.

(7) 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.

(8) To act upon applications for international telecommunications and services pursuant to relevant portions of part 63 of this chapter, and coordinate with the Wireline Competition Bureau as appropriate.

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

(10) 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.

(11) To administer and make available on a public website, a standardized set of national security and law enforcement questions for the categories of information set forth in part 1, subpart CC, of this chapter.

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

(13) Overseeing a team of staff from the FCC's Bureaus and Offices for the purposes of developing Commission positions related to international standard setting issues; collaborating on behalf of the FCC with other Federal agencies on international standard setting issues; and serving as the Chairperson's primary point of contact to develop goals and facilitate strategic decisions about FCC engagement in international standard setting efforts.

(14) 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.

(15) To make technical and ministerial edits to the rules adopted in the 2016 Report and Order in the review of foreign ownership policies for broadcast, common carrier, and aeronautical radio licensees to ensure that the Commission's rules continue to refer to the correct Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. 31 FCC Rcd 11272.

(b) Notwithstanding the authority delegated in paragraph (a) of this section, the Chief, Office of International Affairs, 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, Office of International Affairs, pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Office of International Affairs may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) 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 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.

[88 FR 21431, Apr. 10, 2023]

The application and authorization files and other appropriate files of the Office of International Affairs are designated as the Commission's official records of action of the Chief, Office of International Affairs, pursuant to authority delegated to the Chief. The official records of action are maintained in the Reference Information Center.

[88 FR 21431, Apr. 10, 2023]

The Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, is delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in § 0.141, provided that the following matters shall be referred to the Commission en banc for disposition:

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

(b) Application for review of actions taken pursuant to delegated authority, except that the Chief of Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(c) Matters that present novel questions of law, fact or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

[64 FR 60722, Nov. 8, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13221, Mar. 21, 2002; 86 FR 12547, Mar. 4, 2021]

The Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, or his/her designee, is hereby delegated authority to:

(a) Manage the Commission's compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act;

(b) Develop the Commission's goals and objectives regarding increased opportunities for small entities, women, and minorities;

(c) Collect and analyze data on the Commission's efforts toward ensuring full consideration of the interests of small entities, women, and minorities;

(d) Prepare and release reports on the opportunities available and obstacles faced by small entities, women, and minorities in the communications industry;

(e) Conduct studies and collect data on the issues and problems faced by small entities, women, and minorities in the communications industry;

(f) Assume representational role on behalf of the Commission before other federal agencies and at conferences, meetings, and hearings regarding small entities, women, and minorities in the communications industry;

(g) Develop programs and strategies designed to increase competition, employment opportunities and diversity of viewpoint through the promotion of ownership by small entities, women, and minorities;

(h) Manage the Commission's efforts to increase the awareness of small entities, women, and minorities and to ensure that all available information is accessible to the same.

[69 FR 7377, Feb. 17, 2003]

The authority delegated to the Commission under Executive Orders 12472 and 12656 is redelegated to the Defense Commissioner.

[69 FR 30234, May 27, 2004]

(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.

[28 FR 12402, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 33 FR 8228, June 1, 1968; 53 FR 29055, Aug. 2, 1988]

For authority of the Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to declare a temporary communications emergency, see § 0.191(o).

[71 FR 69037, Nov. 29, 2006]

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 Chairperson 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.

[61 FR 2728, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 21431, Apr. 10, 2023]

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 91584, Nov. 20, 2024.

The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, is hereby delegated authority to perform all functions of the Bureau, described in §§ 0.191 and 0.192, subject to the following exceptions and limitations in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section.

(a) The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau shall not have authority to act on any applications or requests that present novel questions of fact, law or policy that cannot be resolved under outstanding precedents and guidelines.

(b) The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau shall not have authority to act upon any applications for review of actions taken by the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, pursuant to any delegated authority, except that the Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau may dismiss any such application that does not contain any statement required under § 1.115(a) or (b) of this chapter, or does not comply with the filing requirements of § 1.115(d) or (f) of this chapter.

(c) The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau shall not have authority to act upon any formal or informal radio application or section 214 application for common carrier services which is in hearing status.

(d) The Public Safety and Homeland Security 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 for common carrier providers and $20,000 for non-common carrier providers.

(e) The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security 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 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.

(f) The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau or her/his designee has the authority to rule on emergency requests for Special Temporary Authority during non-business hours. Action on emergency requests for Special Temporary Authority during non-business hours shall be promptly reported to the responsible Bureau or Office.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security 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 Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(i) The Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is delegated authority to administer the communications disruption reporting requirements contained in part 4 of this chapter and to revise the filing system and template used for the submission of such communications disruption reports.

(j) The Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is delegated authority to administer the communications reliability and redundancy rules and policies contained in part 9, subpart H, of this chapter, develop and revise forms and procedures as may be required for the administration of part 9, subpart H, of this chapter, review certifications filed in connection therewith, and order remedial action on a case-by-case basis to ensure the reliability of 911 service in accordance with such rules and policies.

[71 FR 69037, Nov. 29, 2006, as amended at 72 FR 39760, July 20, 2007; 73 FR 9463, Feb. 21, 2008; 75 FR 28207, May 20, 2010; 75 FR 78169, Dec. 15, 2010; 79 FR 3130, Jan. 17, 2014; 86 FR 12547, Mar. 4, 2021]