United States · regulation · 47 CFR · 4,715 active provisions
The Federal Communications Commission is composed of five (5) members who are appointed by the president subject to confirmation by the Senate. Normally, one Commissioner is appointed or reappointed each year, for a term of five (5) years.
(a) One of the members of the Commission is designated by the President to serve as Chairperson, or chief executive officer, of the Commission. As Chairperson, he/she has the following duties and responsibilities: (1) To preside at all meetings and sessions of the Commission. (2) To represent the Commission in all matt…
(a) Principal staff units. The Commission is assisted in the performance of its responsibilities by its staff, which is divided into the following principal units: (1) Office of Managing Director. (2) Office of Engineering and Technology. (3) Office of General Counsel. (4) Office of Economics and Analytics. (5) Office…
(a) The Managing Director is appointed by the Chairperson with the approval of the Commission. Under the supervision and direction of the Chairperson, the Managing Director shall serve as the Commission's chief operating and executive official with the following duties and responsibilities: (1) Provide managerial leade…
The Office of Inspector General is directly responsible to the Chairperson as head of the agency. However, the Chairperson may not prevent or prohibit the Office of Inspector General from carrying out its duties and responsibilities as mandated by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-504) and the I…
(a) Enhance public understanding of and compliance with the Commission's regulatory requirements through dissemination of information to the news media. (b) Act as the principal channel for communicating information to the news media on Commission policies, programs, and activities. (c) Advise the Commission on informa…
The Office of Legislative Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities: (a) Advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to legislation proposed by members of Congress or the Executive Branch and coordinate the preparation of Commission vi…
The Office of International Affairs has the following duties and responsibilities: (a) To initiate and direct the development and articulation of international telecommunications policies, consistent with the priorities of the Commission. (b) To advise the Chairperson and Commissioners on matters of international telec…
The Office of Economics and Analytics advises and makes recommendations to the Commission in the areas of economic and data analysis and data management policy. The Office reviews all Commission actions involving significant economic or data analysis and provides expertise, guidance, and assistance to the Bureaus and o…
The Office of Engineering and Technology has the following duties and responsibilities: (a) To evaluate evolving technology for interference potential and to suggest ways to facilitate its introduction in response to Bureau initiatives, and advise the Commission and staff offices in such matters. (b) Represent the Comm…
The Office of the General Counsel has the following duties and responsibilities: (a) To advise and represent the Commission in matters of litigation. (b) To advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to proposed legislation and submit agency views on legislation when appropriate. (c) To interpret th…
The Space Bureau has the following duties and responsibilities: (a) To develop, recommend, and administer policies, rules, standards, and procedures for the authorization and regulation of domestic and international satellite systems. (b) To monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of authorizations and license…
The Media Bureau develops, recommends and administers the policy and licensing programs for the regulation of media, including cable television, broadcast television and radio, and satellite services in the United States and its territories. The Bureau advises and recommends to the Commission, or acts for the Commissio…
(a) The Office of Workplace Diversity (OWD), as a staff office to the Commission, shall develop, coordinate, evaluate, and recommend to the Commission policies, programs, and practices that foster a diverse workforce and promote and ensure equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. A principal f…
The Wireline Competition Bureau advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to the regulation and licensing of communications common carriers and ancillary operations (other than matters pertaining exclusively to the regulation and…
(a) The Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO), as a staff office to the Commission, develops, coordinates, evaluates, and recommends to the Commission, policies, programs, and practices that promote participation by small entities, women, and minorities in the communications industry. A principal funct…
(a) Serve as the primary Commission entity responsible for enforcement of the Communications Act and other communications statutes, the Commission's rules, Commission orders and Commission authorizations, other than matters that are addressed in the context of a pending application for a license or other authorization…
(a) Field offices are located throughout the United States. For the address and phone number of the closest office contact the Enforcement Bureau or see the U.S. Government Manual. (b) Protected field offices are located at the following geographical coordinates (coordinates are referenced to North American Datum 1983…
The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau develops, recommends and administers the programs and policies for the regulation of the terms and conditions under which communications entities offer domestic wireless telecommunications services and of ancillary operations related to the provision of such services (satellite co…
The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau develops and administers the Commission's consumer and governmental affairs policies and initiatives to enhance the public's understanding of the Commission's work and to facilitate the Agency's relationships with other governmental agencies and organizations. The Bureau is…
The Office of Administrative Law Judges consists of as many Administrative Law Judges qualified and appointed pursuant to the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3105 as the Commission may find necessary. It is responsible for hearing and conducting adjudicatory cases designated for hearing other than those designated to be heard…
The Defense Commissioner is designated by the Commission. The Defense Commissioner directs the homeland security, national security and emergency preparedness, and defense activities of the Commission and has the following duties and responsibilities: (a) To keep the Commission informed as to significant developments i…
The head of each of the bureaus and staff offices, in rendering assistance to the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau in the performance of that person's duties with respect to homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management, defense, and related activities…
(a) As specified in the Commission's Continuity of Operations Plan and consistent with the exercise of the War Emergency Powers of the President as set forth in section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, if the full Commission or a quorum thereof is unable to act, an Emergency Relocation Board will be c…
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management, and ancillary operations…