Proposed Refund Procedures for Excess License Fee Collections

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested the GAO Claims Division to accept jurisdictional responsibility for claims settlements arising from license fee overcharges to broadcasters made during the period 1970 through 1976. The Claims Division decided that refunds to licensees do not fall in the realm of GAO authority and doing so would only duplicate investigation efforts by FCC. The outcome would be increased administrative costs and delays. It was agreed at a meeting with the Commission to drop the proposal.