[This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all FCC filing deadlines and effective dates, but is intended to provide useful information regarding some of the key deadlines or effective dates that are upcoming or have recently occurred]
June 1, 2010: Enforcement Deadline for FTC Identity Theft Red Flag Rules – Enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft “Red Flag Rules” commences. Please see our Client Memo on this enforcement deadline. NOTE: This deadline has been extended to December 31, 2010. Please see our Client Memo on the latest extension.
June 1, 2010: Deadline for Placing Annual EEO Public File Reports in Station Public Inspection Files – Deadline for annual EEO Public File Reports for television and radio broadcast stations in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
June 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for EEO Mid-Term Reports – Filing deadline for FCC Form 397 Broadcast Mid-Term Report for television broadcast stations in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; there are no Mid-Term Reports due for radio broadcast stations. Copies of the completed report should be placed in each station’s public inspection file by June 1.
June 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for Biennial Ownership Reports for Noncommercial Broadcasters – Filing deadline for FCC Form 323-E Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station for noncommercial television broadcast stations in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming; and noncommercial radio broadcast stations in Michigan and Ohio.
June 2, 2010: Reply Comments Due in “Rural Radio” Proceeding on New Radio Station Auction Bidding Credits for Federally-Recognized Native American Tribes and Alaska Native Villages – [MB Docket No. 09-52] Reply Comments in the “Rural Radio” proceeding are due May 3, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice and the First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions concerning the Report and Order, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 2, 2010: Comments Due on Proposed Modification of FCC Rules (47 C.F.R. Part 15) to Allow Tank Level Probing Radar Devices to Operate in the 77-81 GHz Frequency Band on an Unlicensed Basis – [ET Docket No. 10-23] Comments on this proposal are due June 2, 2010. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 3, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Petition to Amend the Retransmission Consent Rules – [MB Docket No. 10-71] The FCC sought comment on a Petition for Rulemaking that proposes rule changes that could significantly alter the ability of broadcasters to negotiate fair retransmission consent agreements – including mandatory dispute resolution mechanisms and mandatory interim carriage. Comments were due May 18, 2010. Reply comments are due June 3, 2010. Please see our Client Memo on this proceeding and the FCC Public Notice. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office. Note: This deadline was extended in an FCC Order released April 2, 2010.
June 4, 2010: Comments Due on Request for Limited Waiver of Certain TV Tuner Requirements in Order to Import and Distribute Mobile DTV Receivers without Analog Tuners (47 C.F.R. §15.117) – [MB Docket No. 10-111] Comments on this expedited request are due June 4, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 7, 2010: Comments Due on Information Privacy and Innovation in the Internet Economy – [NTIA Docket No. 100402174–0175–01] Comments on the Notice of Inquiry from the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Taskforce, on the impact of current privacy laws in the United States and around the world on the pace of innovation in the information economy are due June 7, 2010. Please see the Notice in the Federal Register or contact your primary attorney in our office if you would like to participate in this proceeding or have any questions.
June 11, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Request for Limited Waiver of Certain TV Tuner Requirements in Order to Import and Distribute Mobile DTV Receivers without Analog Tuners (47 C.F.R. §15.117) – [MB Docket No. 10-111] Reply comments on this expedited request are due June 11, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 12, 2010: Deadline for Retuning or Replacing Wireless Microphones Operating in the 700 MHz Band – The FCC has mandated that all entities operating wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary stations on a licensed or unlicensed basis within the 700 MHz band cease operations in that band by June 12, 2010, in order to ensure that public safety and commercial licensees can operate in the 700 MHz band without interference. All entities operating low power auxiliary stations within the 700 MHz band must retune or replace their equipment by June 12, 2010. Please see our Client Memo on this deadline.
June 14, 2010: PRA Comments Due to OMB in Establishment of a Class A Television Service Proceeding – [MM Docket No. 00-10] Paperwork Reduction Act comments are due to OMB on June 14, 2010. Please see the Notice in the Federal Register. Should you have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 14, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Revisions to FCC Rules on Emergency Alert System Pending Adoption of FEMA’s Common Alerting Protocol – [EB Docket No. 04-296] Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau seeks informal comment regarding revisions to the FCC Rules governing the Emergency Alert System, pending adoption of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Reply comments are due by June 14, 2010. Please see Notice in the Federal Register. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions concerning the EAS or CAP, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 15, 2010: Comments Due on Competitive Bidding Rules for December 2010 Auction of 218-219 MHz & Phase II 220 MHz Licenses – [AU Docket No. 10-107] Comments on the competitive bidding rules for the December 7, 2010, auction of 218-219 MHz and Phase II 220 MHz licenses (Auction 89) are due June 15, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments. Should you wish to submit comments, have any questions about Auction 89, or wish to participate in Auction 89, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 24, 2010: Comments Due to FTC on Proposed Orders Requiring Food-and-Beverage Industry to Produce Information about Marketing to Kids – The Federal Trade Commission is seeking comments on a proposal to compel information from major food and beverage manufacturers, distributors, and marketers, as well as quick-service restaurant companies. Comments are due June 24, 2010. Please see the FTC Public Notice. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 25, 2010: Application Window for Grants from the Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2010 Closes – Applications are due to the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the USDA, for fiscal year 2010 funding for the Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant Program by June 25, 2010. Please see the Notice in the Federal Register or contact your primary attorney in our office if you have any questions about this grant program.
June 25, 2010: Broadcast Engineering Forum – The FCC will host four workshops from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., addressing the opportunities and challenges currently facing the broadcast industry. Should you wish to participate in the forum or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 29, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Competitive Bidding Rules for December 2010 Auction of 218-219 MHz & Phase II 220 MHz Licenses – [AU Docket No. 10-107] Reply comments on the competitive bidding rules for the December 7, 2010, auction of 218-219 MHz and Phase II 220 MHz licenses (Auction 89) are due June 29, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments. Should you wish to submit reply comments, have any questions about Auction 89, or wish to participate in Auction 89, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
June 30, 2010: Comments Due on Costs and Benefits of FTC’s COPPA Rule – The FTC is seeking public comment on the costs and benefits of an FTC rule designed to protect children online, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule, given the changes to the online environment since the rule was enacted and last reviewed. Comments are due June 30, 2010. Please see the FTC News Release and the Federal Register Notice for more information on the 2010 COPPA Rule Review. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 2, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Proposed Modification of FCC Rules (47 C.F.R. Part 15) to Allow Tank Level Probing Radar Devices to Operate in the 77-81 GHz Frequency Band on an Unlicensed Basis – [ET Docket No. 10-23] Reply comments on this proposal are due July 2, 2010. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 6, 2010: Comments Due on Feasibility of “Bill Shock” Regulations – [CG Docket No. 09-158] Comments on the on the feasibility of instituting usage alerts and cut-off mechanisms similar to those required under the EU’s “Bill Shock” regulations (providing wireless voice, text, and data consumers a way to monitor, on a real-time basis, their usage of a wireless communications service and related charges) are due July 6, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments. Should you wish to submit comments or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 8, 2010: New Filing Deadline for Biennial Ownership Reports on New FCC Form 323 – New uniform filing deadline for revised FCC Form 323 (Biennial) Ownership Report for Commercial Broadcast Stations (all full power, AM, FM, and TV stations; LPTV and Class A stations; and entities with attributable interests in them). Please see the Public Notice released November 23, 2009 and the Public Notice released April 8, 2010. Note: The proposed January 11, 2010, deadline was extended on December 23, 2009. Please see the FCC Order released December 23, 2009.
July 10, 2010: Filing Deadline for Q2 Children’s Television Programming Report for Commercial Broadcasters – Filing deadline for Q2 FCC Form 398, the Children’s Television Programming Report for all commercial television broadcast stations. Although the filing deadline is Monday July 12 because July 10 falls on a Saturday, copies of the completed report should be placed in each station’s public inspection file by Saturday, July 10. Please see our Client Memo on Q2 deadlines.
July 10, 2010: Deadline for Placing Q2 Documentation Verifying Compliance with Children’s Advertising Limits in Station Public Inspection Files for All Commercial Television Broadcasters – Deadline for placing Q2 documentation verifying compliance with children’s advertising limits in each station’s public inspection file for all commercial television broadcast stations. Please see our Client Memo on Q2 deadlines.
July 10, 2010: Deadline for Placing Q2 Issues & Programs List in Station Public Inspection Files for All Commercial and Noncommercial Television Broadcasters – Deadline for placing Q2 Issues & Programs List in each station’s public inspection file for all commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations. Please see our Client Memo on Q2 deadlines and our Client Memo on the Q2 list of issue-responsive programming.
July 12, 2010: Comments Due on Notice of Inquiry on Media Ownership Rules – [MB Docket No. 09-182] Comments on the on the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry on the media ownership rules are due July 12, 2010. The Notice of Inquiry specifically asks for input on a number of issues, including: (a) whether the current rules continue to foster competition, localism, and diversity; (b) how to define, measure, and promote competition, localism, and diversity and how ownership structure affects these goals; and (c) how to weigh these public interest goals if they conflict with each other. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments, the Notice of Inquiry, and our Client Memo. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about the NOI or the media ownership rules, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 15, 2010: Comments Due on Notice of Inquiry on Framework for Broadband Internet Service – [GN Docket No. 10-127] Comments on the on the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry on the framework for broadband Internet service are due July 15, 2010. The Notice of Inquiry initiates a proceeding to assess the adequacy of the current legal framework within which the Commission promotes investment and innovation in, and protects consumers of, broadband Internet service, particularly in the wake of the Comcast decision. Please see the FCC's Public Notice requesting comments and the Notice of Inquiry. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about the NOI or the Comcast decision, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 19, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Feasibility of “Bill Shock” Regulations – [CG Docket No. 09-158] Reply comments on the on the feasibility of instituting usage alerts and cut-off mechanisms similar to those required under the EU’s “Bill Shock” regulations (providing wireless voice, text, and data consumers a way to monitor, on a real-time basis, their usage of a wireless communications service and related charges) are due July 19, 2010. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments. Should you wish to submit reply comments or have any questions, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 26, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Notice of Inquiry on Media Ownership Rules – [MB Docket No. 09-182] Reply comments on the on the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry on the media ownership rules are due July 26, 2010. The Notice of Inquiry specifically asks for input on a number of issues, including: (a) whether the current rules continue to foster competition, localism, and diversity; (b) how to define, measure, and promote competition, localism, and diversity and how ownership structure affects these goals; and (c) how to weigh these public interest goals if they conflict with each other. Please see the FCC Public Notice requesting comments, the Notice of Inquiry, and our Client Memo. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about the NOI or the media ownership rules, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
July 26, 2010: Nationwide Filing Opportunity for LPTV and TV Translator Stations – FCC will begin accepting applications nationwide (without any geographic restriction) for: (i) new digital LPTV and TV translator stations; (ii) major changes to existing analog and digital LPTV and TV translator stations; and (iii) digital companion channels for existing analog LPTV and TV translator stations. Applications will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see our Client Memo on this filing opportunity for LPTV and TV translator stations and our Client Memo on the postponement of the original January 2010 deadline.
August 1, 2010: Deadline for Placing Annual EEO Public File Reports in Station Public Inspection Files – Deadline for annual EEO Public File Reports for television and radio broadcast stations in California, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
August 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for EEO Mid-Term Reports – Filing deadline for FCC Form 397 Broadcast Mid-Term Report for television broadcast stations in California; there are no Mid-Term Reports due for radio broadcast stations. Copies of the completed report should be placed in each station’s public inspection file by August 1. Because August 1 falls on a Sunday, the completed report can be filed with the FCC as late as Monday, August 2, 2010.
August 2, 2010: Filing Deadline for Biennial Ownership Reports for Noncommercial Broadcasters – Filing deadline for FCC Form 323-E Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station for noncommercial television broadcast stations in California, North Carolina, and South Carolina; and noncommercial radio broadcast stations in Illinois and Wisconsin. Because August 1 falls on a Sunday, the completed report can be filed with the FCC as late as Monday, August 2, 2010.
August 12, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Notice of Inquiry on Framework for Broadband Internet Service – [GN Docket No. 10-127] Reply comments on the on the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry on the framework for broadband Internet service are due August 12, 2010. The Notice of Inquiry initiates a proceeding to assess the adequacy of the current legal framework within which the Commission promotes investment and innovation in, and protects consumers of, broadband Internet service, particularly in the wake of the Comcast decision. Please see the FCC’s Public Notice requesting comments and the Notice of Inquiry. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about the NOI or the Comcast decision, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
August 13, 2010: Comments Due on Review of Media Bureau Data Practices – [MB Docket No. 10-103] Comments on the review of Media Bureau data practices are due on August 13, 2010. As part of the FCC’s reform agenda to improve its fact-based, data-driven decision making, the Media Bureau initiated an examination of its data practices to improve the way the Commission collects, uses, and disseminates data. The Media Bureau seeks public comment, proposals and recommendations relating to its collection, use and dissemination of data, and specifically requests comments on the following: (a) the utility and rationale for each of its existing data collections, (b) additional data that commenters believe the Bureau needs to inform Commission policymaking activities, (c) how the Media Bureau may improve collection and analysis processes for existing collections, including through the use of technology, and (d) recommendations on how to improve dissemination of Media Bureau reports and analyses. Please see the FCC Press Release for more information. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about the Media Bureau’s data practices, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
August 17, 2010: Comments Due on Implementation of Section 203 of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) – [MB Docket No. 10-148] Comments on the implementation of Section 203 of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) are due on August 17, 2010. The notice of proposed rulemaking starts the pleading cycle for the STELA-Significantly Viewed proceeding in MB Docket No. 10-148 and seeks comments on the FCC’s proposals to: (a) eliminate the requirement that satellite carriers offer “equivalent bandwidth” to the local and SV network station pair, and to require instead carriage of the local network affiliate in high definition (HD) as a precondition to satellite carriage of the HD programming of an SV station affiliated with the same network; and (b) eliminate the requirement that a subscriber receive the specific local network station (as part of the satellite carrier’s “local-into-local” service) in order for that subscriber to also receive an SV station affiliated with the same network and to require instead that the subscriber receive local-into-local satellite service. Please see the NPRM, Public Notice, and our Client Memo for more information. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about STELA, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
August 27, 2010: Reply Comments Due on Implementation of Section 203 of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) – [MB Docket No. 10-148] Reply comments on the implementation of Section 203 of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) are due on August 27, 2010. The notice of proposed rulemaking starts the pleading cycle for the STELA-Significantly Viewed proceeding in MB Docket No. 10-148 and seeks comments on the FCC’s proposals to: (a) eliminate the requirement that satellite carriers offer “equivalent bandwidth” to the local and SV network station pair, and to require instead carriage of the local network affiliate in high definition (HD) as a precondition to satellite carriage of the HD programming of an SV station affiliated with the same network; and (b) eliminate the requirement that a subscriber receive the specific local network station (as part of the satellite carrier’s “local-into-local” service) in order for that subscriber to also receive an SV station affiliated with the same network and to require instead that the subscriber receive local-into-local satellite service. Please see the NPRM and Public Notice for more information. Should you wish to participate in this proceeding or have any questions about STELA, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
August 31, 2010: FY 2010 Regulatory Fees Due – FY 2010 regulatory fees are due by 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2010. Please see the FCC regulatory fees website for more information on your regulatory fees or contact your primary attorney in this office with any questions.
October 1, 2010: Deadline for Placing Annual EEO Public File Reports in Station Public Inspection Files – Deadline for annual EEO Public File Reports for television and radio broadcast stations in Alaska, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Mariana Islands, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Saipan, Samoa, Virgin Islands, and Washington.
October 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for EEO Mid-Term Reports – Filing deadline for FCC Form 397 Broadcast Mid-Term Report for television broadcast stations in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Mariana Islands, Oregon, Saipan, Samoa, and Washington; there are no Mid-Term Reports due for radio broadcast stations. Copies of the completed report should be placed in each station’s public inspection file by October 1.
October 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for Biennial Ownership Reports for Noncommercial Broadcasters – Filing deadline for FCC Form 323-E Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station for noncommercial television broadcast stations in Alaska, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Mariana Islands, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Saipan, Samoa, Virgin Islands, and Washington; and noncommercial radio broadcast stations in Iowa and Missouri. Copies of the completed report should be filed with the FCC and placed in each station’s public inspection file by October 1.
October 27, 2010: Effective Date for New Telemarketing Rules Applicable to For-Profit Companies Selling Debt-Relief Services – Effective date for amendments to the telemarketing rules applicable to for-profit companies selling debt-relief services over the telephone. The Federal Trade Commission’s amended rules prohibit such companies from charging upfront fees before settling or reducing a customer’s debt. Please see the FTC’s news release on the amended telemarketing rules, and please contact your primary attorney in this office should you have any questions.
December 1, 2010: Deadline for Placing Annual EEO Public File Reports in Station Public Inspection Files – Deadline for annual EEO Public File Reports for television and radio broadcast stations in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont.
December 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for EEO Mid-Term Reports – Filing deadline for FCC Form 397 Broadcast Mid-Term Report for television broadcast stations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; there are no Mid-Term Reports due for radio broadcast stations. Copies of the completed report should be placed in each station’s public inspection file by December 1.
December 1, 2010: Filing Deadline for Biennial Ownership Reports for Noncommercial Broadcasters – Filing deadline for FCC Form 323-E Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station for noncommercial television broadcast stations in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; and noncommercial radio broadcast stations in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Copies of the completed report should be filed with the FCC and placed in each station’s public inspection file by December 1.
December 7, 2010: Auction 89 – Auction of 218-219 MHz and Phase II 220 MHz licenses. Should you have any questions about Auction 89 or wish to participate in Auction 89, please contact your primary attorney in this office.
December 31, 2010: Enforcement Deadline for FTC Identity Theft Red Flag Rules – Enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft “Red Flag Rules” commences. Please see our Client Memo on this enforcement deadline and our Client Memo on the latest extension.
