FCC Reorganizes Bureaus

On April 14, the Federal Communications Commission released Orders reorganizing the Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. The Orders were adopted in early February.

The Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau is creating a Web and Print Publishing Division which will be responsible for researching, writing, designing and developing electronic and print materials to communicate information on the policies, rulemakings, programs and plans of the FCC. Materials developed by the new division will provide consumers with significant information concerning telecommunications services and how those services are regulated, as well as information consumers need to make choices in a competitive marketplace. This 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 relations with other governmental agencies and organizations." The Bureau's performed functions include: (i) advising and making recommendations to the Commission in matters regarding consumers and governmental affairs, including but not limited to policy development and coordination; and (ii) collaborating with, advising and assisting, the public, state, local and tribal governments, and other governmental agencies on consumer matters.

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau reorganization will convert the Emergency Response and Interoperability Center (ERIC) into a division-level office within the Bureau and will rename the Bureau's current Policy Division, Communications Systems Analysis Division, and Public Communications Outreach and Operations Division to, respectively, the Policy and Licensing Division, the Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, and the Operations and Emergency Management Division. This Bureau "develops, recommends, and administers policy goals, objectives, rules, regulations, programs and plans for the Commission to promote effective and reliable communications for public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management and related activities." The Bureau's functions include: (i) advising and making recommendations to the Commission in matters pertaining to public safety and homeland security communications; and (ii) collaborating with, advising and assisting state, local and tribal governments as well as other governmental agencies and industry groups on emergency management and disaster management issues.