Summary:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2013 - Reauthorizes and amends authorities relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps).

Directs the Department of Commerce to prescribe obligated service requirements for appointments, training, promotions, separations, continuations, and retirement of officers not otherwise covered by law.

Revises provisions concerning appointment and promotion of officers, including by requiring certain reappointments and temporary appointments to be made only by the President.

Directs the Department to coordinate with the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promote and streamline inter-service transfers.

Establishes: (1) training, fitness, and academic standards; (2) membership criteria for personnel boards; and (3) guidelines for officer candidate appointments and a basic officer training program.

Applies specified rights and benefits of the Armed Forces to the NOAA Corps.

Establishes programs to provide financial assistance for student loans in exchange for active duty service obligations.

national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration commissioned officer corps amendments act reauthorizes amends authorities relating national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration commissioned officer corps noaa corps directs department_of_commerce prescribe obligated service requirements appointments training promotions separations retirement officers covered law revises provisions concerning appointment promotion officers including requiring certain reappointments temporary appointments president directs department coordinate secretary defense dod secretary department coast_guard operating promote streamline inter service transfers establishes training fitness academic standards membership criteria personnel boards guidelines officer candidate appointments basic officer training program applies specified rights benefits armed_forces noaa corps establishes programs provide financial assistance student loans exchange active duty service obligations


Summary:
Federal Communications Commission Collaboration Act of 2013 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a bipartisan majority of Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding a specified open meeting provision, to hold a meeting that is closed to the public to discuss official business if: (1) no agency action is taken, (2) each person present is an FCC Commissioner or employee or a member or person on the staff of a joint board to which the FCC has referred a matter under such Act, and (3) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present.

Defines "bipartisan majority of Commissioners" as at least three Commissioners including at least one Commissioner for each political party of which any Commissioner is a member and at least one unaffiliated Commissioner if any Commissioner has no political affiliation.

Requires public disclosure of the meeting, attendees, and matters discussed.

federal_communications_commission collaboration act amends communications act allow bipartisan majority commissioners federal_communications_commission fcc notwithstanding specified open meeting provision hold meeting closed public discuss official business agency action taken person present fcc commissioner employee member person staff joint board fcc referred matter act attorney fcc office general counsel present defines bipartisan majority commissioners commissioners including commissioner political party commissioner member unaffiliated commissioner commissioner political affiliation requires public disclosure meeting attendees matters discussed


Summary:
Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2013 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish on its website and submit to Congress a biennial report on the state of the communications marketplace assessing: (1) competition, including intermodal, facilities-based, and new and emergent services competition and addressing the provision of content, as well as communications using the Internet; (2) deployment of communications capabilities, including whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion; and (3) whether laws, regulations, or regulatory practices pose a barrier to competitive entry or expansion of existing providers of communications services.

Requires the FCC to: (1) compile a list of geographic areas that are not served by any provider of advanced telecommunications capability; and (2) consider market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the communications marketplace in accordance with existing national policy favoring diversity of media voices, vigorous economic competition, technological advancement, and promotion of the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

Repeals and consolidates various FCC reports including reports on satellite competition, international broadband, video programming, cable industry prices, small business entry barriers, commercial mobile radio, waivers from requirements prohibiting FCC employees from being financially interested in companies subject to FCC regulation, and several other existing reports under such Act.

federal_communications_commission consolidated reporting act amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc publish website submit congress biennial report state communications marketplace assessing competition including intermodal facilities based new emergent services competition addressing provision content communications internet deployment communications capabilities including advanced telecommunications capability deployed americans reasonable timely fashion laws regulations regulatory practices pose barrier competitive entry expansion existing providers communications services requires fcc compile list geographic areas served provider advanced telecommunications capability consider market entry barriers entrepreneurs small businesses communications marketplace accordance existing national policy favoring diversity media vigorous economic competition technological advancement promotion public interest convenience necessity repeals consolidates fcc reports including reports satellite competition international broadband video programming cable industry prices small business entry barriers commercial mobile radio waivers requirements prohibiting fcc employees financially interested companies subject fcc regulation existing reports act


Summary:
Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2014 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a rulemaking proceeding to adopt rules establishing:

 minimum comment and reply periods for rulemakings; policies to ensure that the public has notice and an opportunity to respond to comments, ex parte communications, or materials submitted toward the end of, or after, the comment period; procedures for publishing the status of open rulemakings and items circulated for Commissioners' review; deadlines for public notice, and guidelines for disposition, of certain petitions; and procedures to include the specific language of proposed rules or amendments in proposed rulemaking notices. Requires performance measures to be included in notices of proposed rulemakings or orders that would create or substantially change a program activity. Defines "program activity" as a specific activity or project as listed in the program and financing schedules of the U.S. annual budget, including any annual collection or distribution or related series of collections or distributions by the FCC of $100 million or more. Directs the FCC to seek public comment regarding whether the FCC should: (1) establish procedures for allowing a bipartisan majority of Commissioners to place items on an open meeting agenda and for publishing in advance of such meetings the text of agenda items on which the FCC will vote; (2) establish deadlines for the disposition of certain license applications; and (3) publish orders, decisions, reports, and actions within 30 days after adoption. Requires the FCC to initiate a new rulemaking proceeding every five years to continue its consideration of procedural rule changes. Allows a bipartisan majority of Commissioners to hold a nonpublic meeting, including a meeting to collaborate with joint boards or conferences, if: (1) no votes or actions are taken, and (2) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present. Requires such a closed meeting to be disclosed within two business days after the meeting, along with a list of persons in attendance and a summary of discussed matters, provided that such matters are not classified or otherwise exempt from disclosure.

Directs the FCC to provide on its website: (1) information regarding the FCC's budget, appropriations, and total number of full-time equivalent employees; (2) the FCC's annual performance plan; and (3) information about consumer complaints in a publicly available, searchable database.

Directs the FCC to: (1) complete actions necessary for the required publication of documents in the Federal Register within specified time frames; (2) inform the public about its performance and efficiency in meeting disclosure and other requirements under the Freedom of Information Act; and (3) publish on its website and in other required formats an anticipated release schedule for all statistical reports and reports to Congress.

Prohibits the FCC, in compiling its quarterly report with respect to informal consumer inquiries and complaints, from categorizing an inquiry or complaint under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (places restrictions on telephone solicitations and automatic dialing systems) as a wireline or wireless inquiry or complaint unless a wireline or wireless carrier was the subject of the inquiry or complaint.

Exempts permanently from the Antideficiency Act (prohibits expenditures or obligations of federal funds exceeding an amount available in an appropriation or fund) the collection of Universal Service Fund contributions and the use of such contributions for universal service support programs. (Currently, universal service funds are collected and distributed under a temporary waiver provided in the Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act.)

federal_communications_commission process reform_act amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc complete rulemaking proceeding adopt rules establishing minimum comment reply periods rulemakings policies ensure public notice opportunity respond comments parte communications materials submitted end comment period procedures publishing status open rulemakings items commissioners review deadlines public notice guidelines disposition certain petitions procedures include specific language proposed rules amendments proposed rulemaking notices requires performance measures included notices proposed rulemakings orders create substantially change program activity defines program activity specific activity project listed program financing schedules annual budget including annual collection distribution related series collections distributions fcc million directs fcc seek public comment fcc establish procedures allowing bipartisan majority commissioners place items open meeting agenda publishing advance meetings text agenda items fcc vote establish deadlines disposition certain license applications publish orders decisions reports actions days adoption requires fcc initiate new rulemaking proceeding years continue consideration procedural rule changes allows bipartisan majority commissioners hold nonpublic meeting including meeting collaborate joint boards conferences votes actions taken attorney fcc office general counsel present requires closed meeting disclosed business days meeting list persons attendance summary discussed matters provided matters classified exempt disclosure directs fcc provide website information fcc budget appropriations total number time equivalent employees fcc annual performance plan information consumer complaints publicly available searchable database directs fcc complete actions necessary required publication documents federal_register specified time frames inform public performance efficiency meeting disclosure requirements freedom information act publish website required formats anticipated release schedule statistical reports reports congress prohibits fcc compiling quarterly report respect informal consumer inquiries complaints inquiry complaint telephone consumer protection act places restrictions telephone solicitations automatic dialing systems wireline wireless inquiry complaint wireline wireless carrier subject inquiry complaint exempts permanently act prohibits expenditures obligations federal funds exceeding available appropriation fund collection universal service fund contributions use contributions universal service support programs currently universal service funds collected distributed temporary waiver provided universal service temporary suspension act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Enhance Labeling, Accessing, and Branding of Electronic Licenses Act of 2014 or the E-LABEL Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations or take other appropriate action to allow manufacturers of radiofrequency devices with display the option to use electronic labeling for the equipment in place of affixing physical labels to the equipment.

Defines "radiofrequency device with display" as any equipment or device that: (1) requires the FCC's authorization before the equipment or device may be marketed or sold within the United States, and (2) is capable of digitally displaying required labeling and regulatory information.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated enhance labeling accessing branding electronic licenses act label act_-_amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc promulgate regulations appropriate action allow manufacturers devices display option use electronic labeling equipment place physical labels equipment defines device display equipment device requires fcc authorization equipment device marketed sold united_states capable displaying required labeling regulatory information


Summary:
Helping Innovation and Reviving Entrepreneurship Act of 2014 or the HIRE Act - Requires the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) ensure that the FCC complies with deadlines for determining whether proposed new technologies or services are in the public interest; and (2) analyze the impact of each FCC-proposed regulation on innovation, economic growth, and job creation.

Directs the FCC to: (1) report to Congress regarding any failure to comply with such a deadline, and (2) update Congress regarding the reason for the delay at specified intervals until the FCC complies.

helping innovation entrepreneurship act hire act_-_requires office strategic planning policy analysis federal_communications_commission fcc ensure fcc complies deadlines determining proposed new technologies services public interest analyze impact fcc proposed regulation innovation economic growth job creation directs fcc report congress failure comply deadline update congress reason delay specified intervals fcc complies


Summary:
FCC "ABCs" Act of 2015

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in the case of a proposed or final rule (including a proposed or final amendment to an existing rule) that may have an economically significant impact, to include in the notice a cost-benefit analysis demonstrating that the benefits outweigh the costs, recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify.

Defines "economically significant impact" as an effect on the economy of at least $100 million annually or a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities.

Prohibits any appropriations for the express purpose of carrying out such analysis and notice requirements.

Directs the FCC to presume, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, that: (1) forbearance requirements are met when determining whether to forbear from applying any regulation or provision under such Act to a telecommunications carrier, service, or class; and (2) regulations considered in each biennial regulatory review are no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of telecommunications service.

fcc act amends communications act direct federal_communications_commission fcc case proposed final rule including proposed final amendment existing rule economically significant impact include notice cost benefit analysis demonstrating benefits outweigh costs recognizing benefits costs difficult quantify defines economically significant impact effect economy million annually material adverse effect economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities prohibits appropriations express purpose carrying analysis notice requirements directs fcc presume absent clear convincing evidence contrary forbearance requirements met determining applying regulation provision act telecommunications carrier service class regulations considered biennial regulatory review longer necessary public interest result meaningful economic competition providers telecommunications service


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to replace various reporting requirements with a communications marketplace report that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required to publish on its website and submit to Congress every two years assessing: (1) competition in the communications marketplace; (2) deployment of communications capabilities, including whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion; and (3) whether laws, regulations, or regulatory practices pose a barrier to competitive entry or expansion of existing providers of communications services.

Requires the report to describe the FCC's actions in the marketplace and its agenda for the next two years.

Directs the FCC to: (1) compile a list of geographic areas that are not served by any provider of advanced telecommunications capability; and (2) consider market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and small businesses in accordance with national policy favoring diversity of media voices, competition, technological advancement, and promotion of the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

Requires the FCC's competition assessments to include the aggregate average total amount paid by cable systems for retransmission consent.

(Sec. 3) Repeals or consolidates various reports of the FCC and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including reports on satellite competition, international broadband, video programming, cable industry prices, small business entry barriers, commercial mobile radio, services to minority and diverse audiences, waivers from requirements prohibiting FCC employees from being financially interested in companies subject to FCC regulation, and several other existing reports under such Act.

Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to require the FCC to determine from the communications marketplace report every two years (currently, in an inquiry initiated each year) whether it must act immediately to accelerate deployment of advanced telecommunications capabilities, particularly in elementary and secondary schools, by removing barriers to infrastructure investment and promoting competition.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure federal_communications_commission consolidated reporting act sec amends communications act replace reporting requirements communications marketplace report federal_communications_commission fcc required publish website submit congress years assessing competition communications marketplace deployment communications capabilities including advanced telecommunications capability deployed americans reasonable timely fashion laws regulations regulatory practices pose barrier competitive entry expansion existing providers communications services requires report describe fcc actions marketplace agenda years directs fcc compile list geographic areas served provider advanced telecommunications capability consider market entry barriers entrepreneurs small businesses accordance national policy favoring diversity media competition technological advancement promotion public interest convenience necessity requires fcc competition assessments include aggregate average total paid cable systems retransmission consent sec repeals consolidates reports fcc corporation_for_public_broadcasting including reports satellite competition international broadband video programming cable industry prices small business entry barriers commercial mobile radio services minority diverse audiences waivers requirements prohibiting fcc employees financially interested companies subject fcc regulation existing reports act amends telecommunications act require fcc determine communications marketplace report years currently inquiry initiated year act immediately accelerate deployment advanced telecommunications capabilities particularly elementary secondary schools removing barriers infrastructure investment promoting competition


Summary:
Federal Communications Commission Collaboration Act of 2015

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a bipartisan majority of Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding a specified open meeting provision, to hold a meeting that is closed to the public to discuss official business if: (1) no agency action is taken, (2) each person present is an FCC Commissioner or employee or a member or person on the staff of a joint board or conference to which the FCC has referred a matter, and (3) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present.

Defines "bipartisan majority" as a group of at least three Commissioners that includes: (1) for each political party of which any Commissioner is a member, at least one Commissioner who is a member of such political party; and (2) if any Commissioner has no political party affiliation, at least one unaffiliated Commissioner.

Requires public disclosure of the meeting, attendees, and matters discussed.

federal_communications_commission collaboration act amends communications act allow bipartisan majority commissioners federal_communications_commission fcc notwithstanding specified open meeting provision hold meeting closed public discuss official business agency action taken person present fcc commissioner employee member person staff joint board conference fcc referred matter attorney fcc office general counsel present defines bipartisan majority group commissioners includes political party commissioner member commissioner member political party commissioner political party affiliation unaffiliated commissioner requires public disclosure meeting attendees matters discussed


Summary:
Public Access to Public Science Act

 Directs each of the covered agencies (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and National Weather Service) to formulate and implement a public access policy to make covered works publicly available, without charge, starting on the day after the end of an embargo period.

Defines: (1) "covered work" as any research results published in a peer-reviewed scholarly publication based on research funded in whole or in part by a covered agency, with certain exceptions; and (2) "embargo period" as up to 12 months after the initial date of publication of a covered work, unless extended, pursuant to a stakeholder's petition, by the covered agency after determining that the public interest will be substantially and uniquely harmed under the agency's public access policy.

Requires the public access policy to: (1) allow the public to read, download, and analyze by machine covered works in digital form; (2) facilitate easy public search of, analysis of, and access to covered works; (3) encourage public-private collaboration to maximize interoperability between public and private platforms, avoid unnecessary duplication of existing mechanisms, and maximize the impact of the covered agency's research investment; (4) ensure that attribution to authors, journals, and original publishers is maintained; and (5) ensure that publications and metadata are stored in an accessible archive.

Requires a covered agency's public access policy to ensure full public access to metadata of covered works, without charge, beginning when the covered work is first published.

public access public science act directs covered agencies national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa national_science_foundation national_institute_of_standards_and_technology national_weather_service formulate implement public access policy covered works publicly available charge starting day end embargo period defines covered work research results published peer reviewed scholarly publication based research funded covered agency certain exceptions embargo period months initial date publication covered work extended pursuant stakeholder petition covered agency determining public interest substantially uniquely harmed agency public access policy requires public access policy allow public read download analyze machine covered works digital form facilitate easy public search analysis access covered works encourage public private collaboration maximize interoperability public private platforms avoid unnecessary duplication existing mechanisms maximize impact covered agency research investment ensure attribution original publishers maintained ensure publications metadata stored accessible archive requires covered agency public access policy ensure public access metadata covered works charge beginning covered work published


Summary:
Keeping Our Campaigns Honest Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to revise its sponsorship identification rules to require the disclosure announcements required for broadcast matter or origination cablecasting matter that is political or that involves the discussion of a controversial issue of public importance to include the names of significant donors to the person whose identity is required to be disclosed in such an announcement.

keeping campaigns honest act directs federal_communications_commission revise sponsorship identification rules require disclosure announcements required broadcast matter origination matter political involves discussion controversial issue public importance include names significant donors person identity required disclosed announcement


Summary:
Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a rulemaking proceeding to adopt rules establishing:

 minimum comment and reply periods for rulemakings; policies to ensure that the public has notice and an opportunity to respond to comments, ex parte communications, or materials submitted toward the end of, or after, the comment period; deadlines for public notice, and guidelines for disposition, of certain petitions; and procedures to include the specific language of proposed rules or amendments in proposed rulemaking notices. The rules must also establish procedures for publishing on the FCC's website and submitting to Congress reports regarding: (1) the status of open rulemakings and items circulated for FCC commissioners' review; (2) the number of pending petitions, applications, complaints, and other requests for action by the FCC and the amount of time such requests have been pending; and (3) pending congressional investigations of the FCC and the cost of such investigations. The website postings and reports must be updated at least quarterly.

Performance measures must be included in notices of proposed rulemakings or orders that would create or substantially change a program activity. A "program activity" is a specific activity or project as listed in the program and financing schedules of the U.S. annual budget, including any annual collection or distribution or related series of collections or distributions by the FCC of $100 million or more.

The FCC must seek public comment regarding whether the FCC should establish procedures to: (1) allow a bipartisan majority of commissioners to place items on an open meeting agenda; (2) publish in advance of open meetings the text of agenda items on which the FCC will vote; (3) ensure that commissioners have adequate time, prior to a required decision, to review the proposed decision document, including the specific rule or any proposed amendments; (4) provide deadlines for the disposition of certain license applications; and (5) publish orders, decisions, reports, and actions within 30 days after adoption.

The Government Accountability Office must audit the FCC's estimates of the costs of congressional investigations of the FCC.

The FCC must initiate a new rulemaking proceeding every five years to continue its consideration of procedural rule changes.

A bipartisan majority of commissioners may hold a nonpublic meeting, including a meeting to collaborate with joint boards or conferences, if: (1) no votes or actions are taken, and (2) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present. Such a closed meeting must be disclosed within two business days after the meeting, along with a list of persons in attendance and a summary of discussed matters, provided that such matters are not classified or otherwise exempt from disclosure.

The FCC must provide on its website: (1) information regarding the FCC's budget, appropriations, and total number of full-time equivalent employees; (2) the FCC's annual performance plan; and (3) information about consumer complaints in a publicly available, searchable database.

The chair of the FCC must also publish on the website policies established by the chair that relate to the FCC's functioning or its agenda.

The FCC must complete actions necessary for the required publication of documents in the Federal Register within specified time frames.

The FCC must inform the public about its performance and efficiency in meeting disclosure and other requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including by: (1) publishing on the FCC website its logs for managing FOIA requests and associated fees, (2) releasing decisions to grant or deny requests, and (3) presenting information about the number of FOIA requests received and granted or denied by the FCC in its annual budget estimates and annual performance and financial reports.

By January 15 of each year, the FCC must publish on its website and in other required formats an anticipated release schedule for all statistical reports and reports to Congress.

The bill requires annual reports to Congress on the FCC's performance in conducting its proceedings and meeting the deadlines and guidelines established by this Act.

(Sec. 3) In compiling its quarterly report with respect to informal consumer inquiries and complaints, the FCC is prohibited from categorizing an inquiry or complaint under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (places restrictions on telephone solicitations and automatic dialing systems) as a wireline or wireless inquiry or complaint unless a wireline or wireless carrier was the subject of the inquiry or complaint.

(Sec. 5) The Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act is amended to extend through December 31, 2020, the waiver of certain limitations on: (1) expending, obligating, or apportioning appropriations with respect to federal universal service contributions collected or received under the Communications Act of 1934; and (2) expending or obligating funds attributable to such contributions for universal service support programs.

(Sec. 6) The FCC must consult with the Small Business Administration to report to Congress with actions and recommendations to improve participation of small businesses in FCC proceedings.

(Sec. 7) The budgetary effects of this Act are excluded from PAYGO scorecards under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and section 201 of S.Con.Res. 21 (110th Congress).

federal_communications_commission process reform_act sec bill amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc complete rulemaking proceeding adopt rules establishing minimum comment reply periods rulemakings policies ensure public notice opportunity respond comments parte communications materials submitted end comment period deadlines public notice guidelines disposition certain petitions procedures include specific language proposed rules amendments proposed rulemaking notices rules establish procedures publishing fcc website submitting congress reports status open rulemakings items fcc commissioners review number pending petitions applications complaints requests action fcc time requests pending pending congressional investigations fcc cost investigations website reports updated quarterly performance measures included notices proposed rulemakings orders create substantially change program activity program activity specific activity project listed program financing schedules annual budget including annual collection distribution related series collections distributions fcc million fcc seek public comment fcc establish procedures allow bipartisan majority commissioners place items open meeting agenda publish advance open meetings text agenda items fcc vote ensure commissioners adequate time prior required decision review proposed decision document including specific rule proposed amendments provide deadlines disposition certain license applications publish orders decisions reports actions days adoption government_accountability_office audit fcc estimates costs congressional investigations fcc fcc initiate new rulemaking proceeding years continue consideration procedural rule changes bipartisan majority commissioners hold nonpublic meeting including meeting collaborate joint boards conferences votes actions taken attorney fcc office general counsel present closed meeting disclosed business days meeting list persons attendance summary discussed matters provided matters classified exempt disclosure fcc provide website information fcc budget appropriations total number time equivalent employees fcc annual performance plan information consumer complaints publicly available searchable database chair fcc publish website policies established chair relate fcc functioning agenda fcc complete actions necessary required publication documents federal_register specified time frames fcc inform public performance efficiency meeting disclosure requirements freedom information act foia including publishing fcc website logs managing foia requests associated fees releasing decisions grant deny requests presenting information number foia requests received granted denied fcc annual budget estimates annual performance financial reports january year fcc publish website required formats anticipated release schedule statistical reports reports congress bill requires annual reports congress fcc performance conducting proceedings meeting deadlines guidelines established act sec compiling quarterly report respect informal consumer inquiries complaints fcc prohibited inquiry complaint telephone consumer protection act places restrictions telephone solicitations automatic dialing systems wireline wireless inquiry complaint wireline wireless carrier subject inquiry complaint sec universal service temporary suspension act amended extend december waiver certain limitations expending obligating apportioning appropriations respect federal universal service contributions collected received communications act expending obligating funds attributable contributions universal service support programs sec fcc consult small_business_administration report congress actions recommendations improve participation small businesses fcc proceedings sec budgetary effects act excluded paygo scorecards statutory pay act section res 110th congress


Summary: (Sec. 1) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), for items adopted by an FCC vote, to publish on the FCC website the text of such items within 24 hours after the FCC Secretary has received dissenting statements from all commissioners wishing to submit a statement with respect to such items.

sec bill amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc items adopted fcc vote publish fcc website text items hours fcc secretary received dissenting statements commissioners submit statement respect items


Summary:
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from adopting orders, decisions, reports, or actions by vote of the FCC unless the chairman causes the text to be published on the FCC's website not later than: (1) 24 hours after such text is circulated for review by the commissioners, or (2) 21 days before the vote.

Exempts from such text publication requirements a portion of a document likely to lead to the disclosure of certain classified national defense or foreign policy matters, internal personnel practices, trade secrets, personal information, investigatory records for law enforcement, or other deliberation information exempt from disclosure under federal administrative procedure laws.

prohibits federal_communications_commission fcc adopting orders decisions reports actions vote fcc chairman causes text published fcc website later hours text review commissioners days vote exempts text publication requirements portion document likely lead disclosure certain classified national defense foreign policy matters internal personnel practices trade secrets personal information investigatory records law enforcement deliberation information exempt disclosure federal administrative procedure laws


Summary:
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require identification and description on the website of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of items to be decided by commissioner panels, employee boards, or individual commissioners or employees to whom the FCC has delegated its functions, unless the publication is likely to lead to the disclosure of certain classified national defense or foreign policy matters, internal personnel practices, trade secrets, personal information, investigatory records for law enforcement, or other deliberation information exempt from disclosure under federal administrative procedure laws.

Requires such identification and description to be published on the FCC website at least 48 hours before an order, decision, report, or action is made or taken pursuant to such a delegation of authority by the FCC.

Makes this Act inapplicable to a decision that: (1) does not receive a delegated authority number, (2) is delegated to an administrative law judge, or (3) is taken to address an immediate threat to health or safety that constitutes an emergency requiring an expedited response from the FCC.

amends communications act require identification description website federal_communications_commission fcc items decided commissioner panels employee boards individual commissioners employees fcc delegated functions publication likely lead disclosure certain classified national defense foreign policy matters internal personnel practices trade secrets personal information investigatory records law enforcement deliberation information exempt disclosure federal administrative procedure laws requires identification description published fcc website hours order decision report action taken pursuant delegation authority fcc makes act inapplicable decision receive delegated authority number delegated administrative law judge taken address immediate threat health safety constitutes emergency requiring expedited response fcc


Summary:
Fair and Clear Campaign Transparency Act

This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to require online public inspection files that must be uploaded to the Internet by television broadcast stations, AM or FM radio broadcast stations, cable operators, direct broadcast satellite service providers, or satellite digital audio radio service providers to be made available to the public in a machine-readable format that supports automated searching, bulk downloading, aggregation, manipulation, and sorting.

Public inspection files include political files that contain records of requests to purchase broadcast time by or on behalf of candidates for public office or to communicate a message relating to a political matter of national importance.

fair clear campaign transparency_act bill directs federal_communications_commission require online public inspection files internet television broadcast stations radio broadcast stations cable operators direct broadcast satellite service providers satellite digital audio radio service providers available public machine readable format supports automated searching bulk downloading aggregation manipulation public inspection files include political files contain records requests purchase broadcast time behalf candidates public office communicate message relating political matter national importance


Summary:
Communications Act Update Act of 2016

TITLE I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION PROCESS REFORM

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a rulemaking proceeding to adopt rules establishing:

 minimum comment and reply periods for rulemakings; policies to ensure that the public has notice and an opportunity to respond to comments, ex parte communications, or materials submitted toward the end of, or after, the comment period; deadlines for public notice, and guidelines for disposition, of certain petitions; and procedures to include the specific language of proposed rules or amendments in proposed rulemaking notices. The rules must also establish procedures for publishing on the FCC's website and submitting to Congress reports regarding: (1) the status of open rulemakings and items circulated for FCC commissioners' review; (2) the number of pending petitions, applications, complaints, and other requests for action by the FCC and the amount of time such requests have been pending; and (3) pending congressional investigations of the FCC and the cost of such investigations. The website postings and reports must be updated at least quarterly.

Performance measures must be included in notices of proposed rulemakings or orders that would create or substantially change a program activity. A "program activity" is a specific activity or project as listed in the program and financing schedules of the U.S. annual budget, including any annual collection or distribution or related series of collections or distributions by the FCC of $100 million or more.

The FCC must seek public comment on whether it should establish procedures to: (1) allow a bipartisan majority of commissioners to place items on an open meeting agenda; (2) publish in advance of open meetings the text of agenda items on which the FCC will vote; (3) ensure that commissioners have adequate time, prior to a required decision, to review the proposed decision document, including the specific rule or any proposed amendments; (4) provide deadlines for the disposition of certain license applications; and (5) publish orders, decisions, reports, and actions within 30 days after adoption.

The Government Accountability Office must audit the FCC's estimates of the costs of congressional investigations of the FCC.

The FCC must initiate a new rulemaking proceeding every five years to continue its consideration of procedural rule changes.

A bipartisan majority of commissioners may hold a nonpublic meeting, including a meeting to collaborate with joint boards or conferences, if: (1) no votes or actions are taken, and (2) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present. Such a closed meeting must be disclosed within two business days after the meeting, along with a list of persons in attendance and a summary of discussed matters, provided that such matters are not classified or otherwise exempt from disclosure.

The FCC must provide on its website: (1) information regarding the FCC's budget, appropriations, and total number of full-time equivalent employees; (2) the FCC's annual performance plan; and (3) information about consumer complaints in a publicly available, searchable database.

The chair of the FCC must also publish on the website policies established by the chair that relate to the FCC's functioning or its agenda.

The FCC must complete actions necessary for the required publication of documents in the Federal Register within specified time frames.

The FCC must inform the public about its performance and efficiency in meeting disclosure and other requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including by: (1) publishing on the FCC website its logs for managing FOIA requests and associated fees, (2) releasing decisions to grant or deny requests, and (3) presenting information about the number of FOIA requests received and granted or denied by the FCC in its annual budget estimates and annual performance and financial reports.

By January 15 of each year, the FCC must publish on its website and in other required formats an anticipated release schedule for all statistical reports and reports to Congress.

The bill requires annual reports to Congress on the FCC's performance in conducting its proceedings and meeting the deadlines and guidelines established by this bill.

(Sec. 102) In compiling its quarterly report with respect to informal consumer inquiries and complaints, the FCC is prohibited from categorizing an inquiry or complaint under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (places restrictions on telephone solicitations and automatic dialing systems) as a wireline or wireless inquiry or complaint unless a wireline or wireless carrier was the subject of the inquiry or complaint.

(Sec. 104) The Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act is amended to extend through 2020 the waiver of certain limitations on: (1) expending, obligating, or apportioning appropriations with respect to federal universal service contributions collected or received under the Communications Act of 1934; and (2) expending or obligating funds attributable to such contributions for universal service support programs.

(Sec. 105) The FCC must consult with the Small Business Administration to report to Congress with actions and recommendations to improve participation of small businesses in FCC proceedings.

(Sec. 106) For items adopted by an FCC vote, the FCC must publish on its website the text of the adopted items within 24 hours after the FCC Secretary has received all dissenting statements from commissioners.

TITLE II--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CONSOLIDATED REPORTING

(Sec. 201) This title replaces various reporting requirements with a communications marketplace report that the FCC is required to publish on its website and submit to Congress every two years assessing: (1) competition in the communications marketplace; (2) deployment of communications capabilities, including whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion; and (3) whether laws, regulations, or regulatory practices pose a barrier to competitive entry or expansion of existing providers of communications services.

The report must describe the FCC's actions in the marketplace and its agenda for the next two years.

The FCC must: (1) compile a list of geographic areas that are not served by any provider of advanced telecommunications capability; and (2) consider market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and small businesses in accordance with national policy favoring diversity of media voices, competition, technological advancement, and promotion of the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

The FCC's competition assessments must include the aggregate average total amount paid by cable systems for retransmission consent.

(Sec. 202) The title repeals or consolidates various reports of the FCC and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including reports on satellite competition, international broadband, video programming, cable industry prices, small business entry barriers, commercial mobile radio, services to minority and diverse audiences, waivers from requirements prohibiting FCC employees from being financially interested in companies subject to FCC regulation, and several other existing reports.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 is amended to require the FCC to determine from the communications marketplace report every two years (currently, in an inquiry initiated each year) whether it must act immediately to accelerate deployment of advanced telecommunications capabilities, particularly in elementary and secondary schools, by removing barriers to infrastructure investment and promoting competition.

TITLE III--SMALL BUSINESS BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT

(Sec. 301) This title exempts for five years after enactment of this bill any small business broadband Internet access service provider with no more than 250,000 subscribers from the FCC's enhancements to a transparency rule that requires persons engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service to disclose publicly accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its services sufficient for:

 consumers to make informed choices regarding their use; and content, application, service, and device providers to develop, market, and maintain Internet offerings. The FCC shall report its recommendations on whether:

 this exception should be made permanent, and the definition of "small business" for these purposes should be modified. TITLE IV--KARI'S LAW

Kari's Law Act of 2016

(Sec. 402) This title prohibits businesses from manufacturing or importing for use in the United States, or selling or leasing in the United States, a multi-line telephone system unless it is pre-configured to allow users to directly initiate a call to 9-1-1 (without dialing any additional digit, code, prefix, or post-fix, including any trunk-access code such as the digit "9") from any station equipped with dialing facilities.

Businesses are prohibited from installing, managing, or operating multi-line telephone systems without such a direct 9-1-1 call configuration.

Businesses installing, managing, or operating such systems for use in the United States must configure the systems to provide a notification to a central location at the facility where the system is installed, or to another person or organization regardless of location, if the system is able to be so configured without an improvement to the hardware or software.

TITLE V--SECURING ACCESS TO NETWORKS IN DISASTERS

(Sec. 501) This title requires the FCC to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable, through:

 telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points and other communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum, without requiring any login credentials; non-telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points; and other alternative means. The types of emergencies subject to this bill are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory.

(Sec. 502) The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential service providers that may access a disaster site to restore and repair essential services in an emergency or major disaster without being denied or impeded by a federal agency. Services to be considered essential are wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service.

TITLE VI--SPOOFING PREVENTION

(Sec. 601) This title expands the prohibition against knowingly transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller identification information to apply to: (1) persons outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States, and (2) text messages.

Existing caller identification requirements that apply to calls made using a telecommunications service or IP-enabled voice service are revised to apply to: (1) services interconnected with the public switched telephone network and that furnish voice communications using resources from the North American Numbering Plan; and (2) transmissions from a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to a telephone facsimile machine.

 The FCC must coordinate with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to regularly update education materials that help consumers identify: (1) scams and fraudulent activity that rely upon misleading or inaccurate caller identification information, and (2) existing technologies that consumers can use to protect against such fraud.

The GAO must report on: (1) actions taken, or actions that could be taken, by the FCC or the FTC to combat the fraudulent provision of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information; and (2) any recommendations to combat the fraudulent provision of such information.

TITLE VII--AMATEUR RADIO PARITY

(Sec. 701) This title directs the FCC to amend station antenna structure regulations to prohibit a private land use restriction from applying to amateur radio stations if the restriction:

 precludes communications in an amateur radio service, fails to permit a licensee of amateur radio service to install and maintain an effective outdoor antenna on property under its exclusive use or control, or is not the minimum practicable restriction to accomplish the lawful purposes of a community association seeking to enforce the restriction. The FCC must require an amateur radio licensee to obtain prior approval from a community association before installing an outdoor antenna. A community association may: (1) prohibit installations on common property not under the exclusive control of the licensee, and (2) establish installation rules for amateur radio antennas and support structures.

TITLE VIII--IMPROVING RURAL CALL QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

(Sec. 801) This title requires intermediate providers that offer the capability to transmit voice communications and signaling information from one destination to another, and that charge a rate to any other entity (including an affiliated entity) for the transmission, to: (1) register with the FCC, and (2) comply with service quality standards to be established by the FCC.

An "intermediate provider" is an entity that: (1) enters a business arrangement with a long-distance voice service provider that makes the initial call path choice for more than 100,000 domestic retail subscriber lines, or with another intermediate provider, to carry, route, or transmit voice traffic from a call placed from or to an end user connection using a North American Numbering Plan resource; and (2) does not itself (directly or in conjunction with an affiliate) serve as such a long-distance initial call path choice provider in the context of originating or terminating a given call.

The title prohibits such long-distance providers (including local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, commercial mobile radio services, interconnected voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] services, and certain non-interconnected VoIP services) from using an intermediate provider to transmit voice communications and signals unless the intermediate provider is so registered.

The FCC must: (1) ensure the integrity of the transmission of voice communications to all customers in the United States, (2) prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among areas of the United States in the delivery of such voice communications, and (3) make a registry of intermediate providers publicly available on the FCC website.

This title shall not be construed to preempt or expand the authority of a state agency or public utility commission to collect data, or enforce state law and regulations, regarding the completion of intrastate voice communications.

Certain long-distance providers that make initial call path choices are exempt from service quality standards that the FCC is required to establish under this title if they certify under a safe harbor provision in existing FCC rules that they monitor the performance of, or do not use, intermediate providers.

communications act update act title federal_communications_commission process reform sec bill amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc complete rulemaking proceeding adopt rules establishing minimum comment reply periods rulemakings policies ensure public notice opportunity respond comments parte communications materials submitted end comment period deadlines public notice guidelines disposition certain petitions procedures include specific language proposed rules amendments proposed rulemaking notices rules establish procedures publishing fcc website submitting congress reports status open rulemakings items fcc commissioners review number pending petitions applications complaints requests action fcc time requests pending pending congressional investigations fcc cost investigations website reports updated quarterly performance measures included notices proposed rulemakings orders create substantially change program activity program activity specific activity project listed program financing schedules annual budget including annual collection distribution related series collections distributions fcc million fcc seek public comment establish procedures allow bipartisan majority commissioners place items open meeting agenda publish advance open meetings text agenda items fcc vote ensure commissioners adequate time prior required decision review proposed decision document including specific rule proposed amendments provide deadlines disposition certain license applications publish orders decisions reports actions days adoption government_accountability_office audit fcc estimates costs congressional investigations fcc fcc initiate new rulemaking proceeding years continue consideration procedural rule changes bipartisan majority commissioners hold nonpublic meeting including meeting collaborate joint boards conferences votes actions taken attorney fcc office general counsel present closed meeting disclosed business days meeting list persons attendance summary discussed matters provided matters classified exempt disclosure fcc provide website information fcc budget appropriations total number time equivalent employees fcc annual performance plan information consumer complaints publicly available searchable database chair fcc publish website policies established chair relate fcc functioning agenda fcc complete actions necessary required publication documents federal_register specified time frames fcc inform public performance efficiency meeting disclosure requirements freedom information act foia including publishing fcc website logs managing foia requests associated fees releasing decisions grant deny requests presenting information number foia requests received granted denied fcc annual budget estimates annual performance financial reports january year fcc publish website required formats anticipated release schedule statistical reports reports congress bill requires annual reports congress fcc performance conducting proceedings meeting deadlines guidelines established bill sec compiling quarterly report respect informal consumer inquiries complaints fcc prohibited inquiry complaint telephone consumer protection act places restrictions telephone solicitations automatic dialing systems wireline wireless inquiry complaint wireline wireless carrier subject inquiry complaint sec universal service temporary suspension act amended extend waiver certain limitations expending obligating apportioning appropriations respect federal universal service contributions collected received communications act expending obligating funds attributable contributions universal service support programs sec fcc consult small_business_administration report congress actions recommendations improve participation small businesses fcc proceedings sec items adopted fcc vote fcc publish website text adopted items hours fcc secretary received dissenting statements commissioners title federal_communications_commission consolidated reporting sec title replaces reporting requirements communications marketplace report fcc required publish website submit congress years assessing competition communications marketplace deployment communications capabilities including advanced telecommunications capability deployed americans reasonable timely fashion laws regulations regulatory practices pose barrier competitive entry expansion existing providers communications services report describe fcc actions marketplace agenda years fcc compile list geographic areas served provider advanced telecommunications capability consider market entry barriers entrepreneurs small businesses accordance national policy favoring diversity media competition technological advancement promotion public interest convenience necessity fcc competition assessments include aggregate average total paid cable systems retransmission consent sec title repeals consolidates reports fcc corporation_for_public_broadcasting including reports satellite competition international broadband video programming cable industry prices small business entry barriers commercial mobile radio services minority diverse audiences waivers requirements prohibiting fcc employees financially interested companies subject fcc regulation existing reports telecommunications act amended require fcc determine communications marketplace report years currently inquiry initiated year act immediately accelerate deployment advanced telecommunications capabilities particularly elementary secondary schools removing barriers infrastructure investment promoting competition title iii small business broadband deployment sec title exempts years enactment bill small business broadband internet access service provider subscribers fcc enhancements transparency rule requires persons engaged provision broadband internet access service disclose publicly accurate information network management practices performance commercial terms services sufficient consumers informed choices use content application service device providers develop market maintain internet offerings fcc shall report recommendations exception permanent definition small business purposes modified title law law act sec title prohibits businesses manufacturing importing use united_states selling leasing united_states multi line telephone system pre configured allow users directly initiate dialing additional digit code post fix including access code digit station equipped dialing facilities businesses prohibited installing managing operating multi line telephone systems direct configuration businesses installing managing operating systems use united_states systems provide notification central location facility system installed person organization regardless location system able configured improvement hardware software title securing access networks disasters sec title requires fcc submit congress publish fcc website study public safety benefits technical feasibility cost providing public access services times emergency mobile service unavailable telecommunications service provider owned access points communications technologies operating unlicensed spectrum requiring credentials non telecommunications service provider owned access points alternative means types emergencies subject bill occasions instances robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act president determines federal assistance needed supplement state local efforts capabilities save lives protect property public health safety lessen avert threat catastrophe united_states emergency declared governor state territory sec stafford act amended expand categories essential service providers access disaster site restore repair essential services emergency major disaster denied impeded federal agency services considered essential wireline mobile telephone service internet access service radio television broadcasting cable service direct broadcast satellite service title spoofing prevention sec title expands prohibition knowingly transmitting misleading inaccurate caller identification information apply persons outside united_states recipient united_states text messages existing caller identification requirements apply calls telecommunications service enabled voice service revised apply services interconnected public telephone network furnish voice communications resources north american numbering plan transmissions telephone facsimile machine computer device telephone facsimile machine fcc coordinate federal_trade_commission ftc regularly update education materials help consumers identify scams fraudulent activity rely misleading inaccurate caller identification information existing technologies consumers use protect fraud gao report actions taken actions taken fcc ftc combat fraudulent provision misleading inaccurate caller identification information recommendations combat fraudulent provision information title vii amateur radio parity sec title directs fcc amend station antenna structure regulations prohibit private land use restriction applying amateur radio stations restriction precludes communications amateur radio service fails permit licensee amateur radio service install maintain effective outdoor antenna property exclusive use control minimum practicable restriction accomplish lawful purposes community association seeking enforce restriction fcc require amateur radio licensee obtain prior approval community association installing outdoor antenna community association prohibit installations common property exclusive control licensee establish installation rules amateur radio support structures title viii improving rural quality reliability sec title requires intermediate providers offer capability transmit voice communications signaling information destination charge rate entity including affiliated entity transmission register fcc comply service quality standards established fcc intermediate provider entity enters business arrangement long distance voice service provider makes initial path choice domestic retail subscriber lines intermediate provider carry route transmit voice traffic placed end user connection north american numbering plan resource directly conjunction affiliate serve long distance initial path choice provider context originating terminating given title prohibits long distance providers including local exchange carriers interexchange carriers commercial mobile radio services interconnected voice internet protocol voip services certain non interconnected voip services intermediate provider transmit voice communications signals intermediate provider registered fcc ensure integrity transmission voice communications customers united_states prevent unjust unreasonable discrimination areas united_states delivery voice communications registry intermediate providers publicly available fcc website title shall construed preempt expand authority state agency public utility commission collect data enforce state law regulations completion intrastate voice communications certain long distance providers initial path choices exempt service quality standards fcc required establish title certify safe harbor provision existing fcc rules monitor performance use intermediate providers


Summary:
Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a rulemaking proceeding to adopt rules establishing:

 minimum comment and reply periods for rulemakings; policies to ensure that the public has notice and an opportunity to respond to comments, ex parte communications, or materials submitted toward the end of, or after, the comment period; procedures for publishing the status of open rulemakings and items circulated for commissioners' review; and guidelines for public notice of certain petitions and review applications. Petitions must be disposed of pursuant to an order of dismissal.

The language of proposed rules or amendments must be: (1) included in proposed rulemaking notices, and (2) published for at least 21 days before a vote. The rules must establish publication procedures to identify changes made to an adopted item after its adoption.

The FCC must adopt rules requiring performance measures to be included in each new notice of proposed rulemaking or order adopting a rule or amending an existing rule that creates or proposes a program activity listed in the program and financing schedules of the U.S. annual budget, including any annual collections or distributions by the FCC of $100 million or more. Rulemaking notices regarding a substantial change to a program activity must contain performance measures for evaluating the activity as changed or a finding that existing performance measures are sufficient.

Notices of proposed rulemakings must include: (1) an identification of related FCC notices or court orders issued during the preceding three-year period; or (2) a finding that the proposal will not impose additional burdens and that a notice of inquiry is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.

Notices about rules that may have an economically significant impact must contain: (1) an identification and analysis of the specific market failure, actual consumer harm, burden of existing regulation, or failure of public institutions that warrants the adoption or amendment; and (2) a determination that the benefits justify the costs. An "economically significant impact" is an effect on the economy of at least $100 million annually or a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities.

The FCC must establish procedures authorizing a commissioner to require the entire commission to vote on whether to review a particular FCC office's actions.

The FCC must seek public comment regarding whether the FCC should: (1) establish deadlines for the disposition of certain license applications; (2) assess fees from applicants to enhance the FCC's resources to meet those deadlines; and (3) publish orders, decisions, reports, and actions within 30 days after adoption.

The FCC must initiate a new rulemaking proceeding every five years to continue its consideration of procedural rule changes.

A bipartisan majority of commissioners may hold a nonpublic meeting if: (1) no votes or actions are taken, and (2) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present. Closed meetings must be disclosed within two business days after the meeting, along with a list of persons in attendance and a summary of discussed matters.

The FCC must provide on its website: (1) information regarding the FCC's budget, appropriations, and total number of full-time equivalent employees; and (2) the FCC's annual performance plan.

The FCC must complete actions necessary for the required publication of documents in the Federal Register within specified time frames.

The FCC must inform the public about its performance and efficiency in meeting disclosure and other requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including by: (1) publishing on the FCC website its logs for managing FOIA requests and associated fees, (2) releasing decisions to grant or deny requests, and (3) presenting information about the number of FOIA requests received and granted or denied by the FCC in its annual budget estimates and annual performance and financial reports.

By January 15 of each year, the FCC must publish an anticipated release schedule for all statistical reports and reports to Congress. The FCC must report annually on its performance in conducting proceedings and meeting its public notice guidelines. (Sec. 3) In compiling its quarterly report regarding informal consumer inquiries and complaints, the FCC is prohibited from categorizing inquiries or complaints under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (places restrictions on telephone solicitations and automatic dialing systems) as wireline or wireless inquiries or complaints unless a wireline or wireless carrier was the subject of the inquiry or complaint.

(Sec. 5) Nothing in this bill shall be construed to impede the FCC from acting in emergencies to ensure that communications are available: (1) to alert the public to imminent dangerous weather conditions, or (2) for state and local first responders.

federal_communications_commission process reform_act sec bill amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc complete rulemaking proceeding adopt rules establishing minimum comment reply periods rulemakings policies ensure public notice opportunity respond comments parte communications materials submitted end comment period procedures publishing status open rulemakings items commissioners review guidelines public notice certain petitions review applications petitions disposed pursuant order dismissal language proposed rules amendments included proposed rulemaking notices published days vote rules establish publication procedures identify changes adopted item adoption fcc adopt rules requiring performance measures included new notice_of_proposed_rulemaking order adopting rule amending existing rule creates proposes program activity listed program financing schedules annual budget including annual collections distributions fcc million rulemaking notices substantial change program activity contain performance measures evaluating activity changed finding existing performance measures sufficient notices proposed rulemakings include identification related fcc notices court orders issued preceding year period finding proposal impose additional burdens notice inquiry impracticable unnecessary contrary public interest notices rules economically significant impact contain identification analysis specific market failure actual consumer harm burden existing regulation failure public institutions warrants adoption amendment determination benefits justify costs economically significant impact effect economy million annually material adverse effect economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities fcc establish procedures authorizing commissioner require entire commission vote review particular fcc office actions fcc seek public comment fcc establish deadlines disposition certain license applications assess fees applicants enhance fcc resources meet deadlines publish orders decisions reports actions days adoption fcc initiate new rulemaking proceeding years continue consideration procedural rule changes bipartisan majority commissioners hold nonpublic meeting votes actions taken attorney fcc office general counsel present closed meetings disclosed business days meeting list persons attendance summary discussed matters fcc provide website information fcc budget appropriations total number time equivalent employees fcc annual performance plan fcc complete actions necessary required publication documents federal_register specified time frames fcc inform public performance efficiency meeting disclosure requirements freedom information act foia including publishing fcc website logs managing foia requests associated fees releasing decisions grant deny requests presenting information number foia requests received granted denied fcc annual budget estimates annual performance financial reports january year fcc publish anticipated release schedule statistical reports reports congress fcc report annually performance conducting proceedings meeting public notice guidelines sec compiling quarterly report informal consumer inquiries complaints fcc prohibited inquiries complaints telephone consumer protection act places restrictions telephone solicitations automatic dialing systems wireline wireless inquiries complaints wireline wireless carrier subject inquiry complaint sec bill shall construed impede fcc acting emergencies ensure communications available alert public imminent dangerous weather conditions state local responders


Summary:
Ending Mobile and Broadband Welfare Act of 2015

Prohibits a commercial mobile service or Internet access service provider from receiving universal service support for the provision of such service through the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program, which provides discounts on monthly telephone service to qualifying low-income consumers.

ending mobile broadband welfare act prohibits commercial mobile service internet access service provider receiving universal service support provision service federal_communications_commission lifeline program provides discounts monthly telephone service qualifying low income consumers


Summary:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act

(Sec.101)This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop policies on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment or assaults involving its employees, NOAA's commissioned officer corps, and individuals who work with or conduct business on behalf of NOAA. Those policies must include procedures for reporting incidents, including those occurring after-hours, at sea, or in remote locations.

NOAA must: (1) ensure that at least one of its employees who handle matters relating to equal employment opportunity or sexual harassment is stationed in each of its regions of operation and in each of its marine and aviation centers, (2) establish victim advocates to aid victims of sexual assault, and (3) submit an annual report on sexual assaults.

The bill establishes protections for victims, including through a change of duty station of an alleged perpetrator.

(Sec.201)The bill revises the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002. The bill sets forth new requirements under that Act concerning obligated service requirements, training and physical fitness, education loan assistance, recruitment, hiring and promotions, and other workforce issues.

NOAA must develop and implement a charter vessel safety policy applicable to the acquisition by NOAA of charter vessel services.

 (Sec.301) The bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2020 the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.

national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration sexual harassment assault prevention act bill requires national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa develop policies prevention response sexual harassment assaults involving employees noaa commissioned officer corps individuals work conduct business behalf noaa policies include procedures reporting incidents including occurring hours sea remote locations noaa ensure employees handle matters relating equal employment opportunity sexual harassment stationed regions operation marine aviation centers establish victim advocates aid victims sexual_assault submit annual report sexual assaults bill establishes protections victims including change duty station alleged perpetrator bill revises national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration commissioned officer corps act bill sets forth new requirements act concerning obligated service requirements training physical fitness education loan assistance recruitment hiring promotions workforce issues noaa develop implement charter vessel safety policy applicable acquisition noaa charter vessel services bill revises reauthorizes fy2020 hydrographic services improvement act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any deposits that the Federal Communications Commission may require for the qualification of bidders in a system of competitive bidding for spectrum licenses to be deposited directly in the Treasury instead of in an interest bearing account at a financial institution. The bill removes a provision that requires the interest accrued to such a financial institution account to be dedicated for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.

The deposits of successful bidders must be credited to the deposit fund of the Treasury, unless existing exceptions apply.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends communications act require deposits federal_communications_commission require qualification bidders system competitive bidding spectrum licenses deposited directly treasury instead interest bearing account financial institution bill removes provision requires interest accrued financial institution account dedicated sole purpose deficit reduction deposits successful bidders credited deposit fund treasury existing exceptions apply