FCC: Equipment Authorization for Digital Devices
Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) new rule on equipment authorization for digital services. GAO noted that: (1) this final rule was issued in response to petitions for reconsideration filed in connection with a prior FCC rule; (2) the instant rule would clarify and further relax the computer authorization process requirements previously adopted; (3) the rule was only recently forwarded to GAO and Congress by FCC; and (4) FCC complied with applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.
Federal Communications Commission: Equipment Authorization for, OGC-98-54, June 8, 1998
B-280163
June 8, 1998
The Honorable John McCain Chairman The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings Ranking Minority Member Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate
The Honorable Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. Chairman The Honorable John D. Dingell Ranking Minority Member Committee on Commerce House of Representatives
Subject:Federal Communications Commission: Equipment Authorization for Digital Devices
Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), entitled "Equipment Authorization for Digital Devices" (ET Docket 95-19; FCC 97-240). We received the rule on May 27, 1998. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on August 4, 1997. 62 Fed. Reg. 41879.
This final rule was issued in response to petitions for reconsideration filed in connection with a prior FCC rule (Amendment of Parts 2 and 15 of the Commission's Rules to Deregulate the Equipment Authorization Requirement for Digital Devices, ET Docket 95-19; FCC 96-208) which was the subject of our Office's major rule report GAO/OGC-96-21, July 2, 1996. The instant rule clarifies and further relaxes the computer authorization process requirements previously adopted. The rule was only recently forwarded to our Office and the Congress by the FCC.
Enclosed is our assessment of the FCC's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review indicates that the FCC complied with the applicable requirements.
If you have any questions about this report, please contact James Vickers, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8210. The official responsible for GAO evaluation work relating to the Federal Communications Commission is Judy England-Joseph, Director for Housing and Community Development Issues. Ms. England-Joseph can be reached at (202) 512-7631.
Robert P. Murphy General Counsel
Enclosure
cc: Ms. Kathleen Fagan AMD-Performance Evaluation and Records Management Federal Communications Commission ENCLOSURE
ANALYSIS UNDER 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iv) OF A MAJOR RULE ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ENTITLED "EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR DIGITAL DEVICES" (ET Docket 95-19; FCC 97-240)
(i) Cost-benefit analysis
The FCC, in its report to our Office, states that it was not required to prepare and did not prepare a cost-benefit analysis of the final rule.
(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 603-605, 607, and 609
The FCC has certified that the final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1532-1535
As an independent regulatory agency, the FCC is not subject to title II of the Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995.
(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.
The final rule was not issued pursuant to the notice and comment procedures contained in 5 U.S.C. 553 but under the FCC's rulemaking authority contained in sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(r).
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520
The final rule does not contain any information collections which are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Statutory authorization for the rule
The final rule was issued pursuant to the authority of sections 4(i), 301, 302, 303(e), 303(f), 303(r) 304, 307, and 405 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 301, 302, 303(e), 303(f), 303(r), 304, 307, and 405.
Executive Order No. 12866
The rule, promulgated by an independent regulatory agency, is not subject to the review requirements of Executive Order No. 12866.