FCC Reform Bill Passes House

The House has passed a Federal Communications Commission reform bill (HR 2589) that would require the FCC to publish changes to its rules within 24 hours of their adoption, with a caveat for dissenters. HR 2589 would amend the Communications Act to require the FCC to publish on its Web site the text of any items adopted no later than 24 hours after dissenting statements, if any, have been submitted by any of the commissioners.

The noncontroversial bill was introduced by Rep Renee Ellmers (R-NC) and passed out of the House Commerce Committee unanimously April 28. It passed the House on suspension on suspension of the rules, a parliamentary procedure for quickly approving noncontroversial legislation. While 40 minutes was allotted for debate on the House floor, 20 minutes for each side, almost all of that went unused, with both sides taking about four minutes to agree that they agreed on the bill. Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) said the bill would help the FCC operate in a more effective and transparent manner, and would address the FCC's "struggle" to make new rules available in a timely fashion.