FCC Revises Rules for Reporting Ex Parte Communications
On February 2, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) to amend its rules governing ex parte presentations made in rulemaking and other permit-but-disclose proceedings. The R&O generally adopts the proposals set forth in the Commission's March 25, 2010, NPRM, and the FNPRM solicits comments on a proposal to require parties to provide additional disclosure regarding real parties-in-interest.
The R&O revises the Commission's ex parte rules such that parties making oral ex parte presentations in rulemaking and permit-but-disclose proceedings must file ex parte notices, even where the presentation is limited to issues and arguments that are already contained with a proceeding's record. Under the new rules, ex parte notices must include a description of the matters discussed, either by a brief summary or cite to the record (for presentations limited to facts and arguments already contained in the record) or a more detailed description (for presentations involving new information or arguments). The R&O also modifies the deadline for filing ex parte notices (two business days outside of the Sunshine period; the next business day on the day that a Sunshine notice is released; and the same day during the Sunshine period). In addition, the R&O implements certain technical requirements regarding the electronic filing of ex parte notices. Finally, in the R&O, the Commission authorized the Enforcement Bureau to levy forfeitures for violation of the agency's ex parte rules. The rule modifications in the R&O will become effective 30 days following the item's publication in the Federal Register.
The FNPRM seeks comment on a proposal to require parties to provide enhanced disclosure about real parties-in-interest. Specifically, the FNPRM asks whether it is sufficient to apply enhanced disclosure obligations on ex parte filings or whether such a rule should be expanded to apply to all or certain categories of FCC proceedings. The item also solicits comments on how enhanced disclosure requirements would apply to different categories of entities. Finally, the FNPRM queries whether disclosure is appropriate in cases where the information is easily found among the Commission's records or on an entity's website. Comments in response to the FNPRM are due 45 days following Federal Register publication. Reply Comments are due 75 days after Federal Register publication.
