The FCC has announced the tentative agenda for its next Open Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, December 14, 2017. Continuing Chairman Pai’s pilot program, the Commission is publicly releasing the draft text of all items expected to be considered at the November Open Meeting, along with one-page cover sheets summarizing each item. The tentative Open Meeting agenda contains the following items:
- New Emergency Alert System Event Code for Blue Alerts – The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would amend the Commission’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules to add a dedicated event code to facilitate the delivery of Blue Alerts over the EAS and Wireless Emergency Alert system. Blue Alerts can deliver actionable information to the public when a law enforcement officer is killed, seriously injured, missing in connection with his or her official duties, or if there is an imminent and credible threat to a law enforcement officer.
- Rural Health Care Support Mechanism – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order regarding the Rural Health Care Program.
- Twilight Towers Public Notice – The Commission will consider a Public Notice seeking input on a draft Program Comment addressing the historic preservation review requirements for collocating wireless communications facilities on certain communications towers.
- Restoring Internet Freedom – The Commission will consider a Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order that will repeal the Commission’s open internet rules by returning broadband Internet access service to its prior classification as an information service, and reinstate the private mobile service classification of mobile broadband Internet access service. The item also will eliminate the Commission’s Internet Conduct Standard, along with the bright-line rules. Additionally, it will modify the transparency rule.
- CMRS Presumption Report & Order – The Commission will consider a Report and Order to harmonize the Commission’s rules by eliminating the commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) presumption, to be consistent with its flexible use approach to licensing.
- Electronic Delivery of Cable Communications – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on ways to modernize certain notice provisions in Part 76 of the FCC’s Rules governing multichannel video and cable television service.
- National Television Multiple Ownership Rule – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on whether to modify, retain or eliminate the 39 percent national audience reach cap and/or the UHF discount used by broadcast television station groups to calculate compliance with the cap.
