The FCC has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing new regulatory fee rates for fiscal year (FY) 2023 and seeking comment on the FCC’s proposed methodology for such fees. The Commission must collect $390,192,000 in FY 2023 regulatory fees. The Commission is seeking comment on several regulatory fee issues, including: (1) the calculation of television and radio broadcast regulatory fees, including adding a new tier for AM and FM radio stations; (2) defining the regulatory fee categories of operations for on-orbit servicing (OOS) and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), whether this separate regulatory fee category is necessary, and how to apply regulatory fees to OOS and RPO spacecraft that are specifically operating near the geostationary satellite orbit arc; (3) analyzing how the FCC’s proposals may impact advances in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; (4) evaluating whether to continue several temporary measures implemented in FYs 2020 through 2022; and (5) whether to allow fee payors to prepay regulatory fees in installments. Comments are due June 14 and reply comments are due July 29.
