Memorializing the Significance of the FCC’s Chief Information Officer’s Role

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a change to a rule to incorporate a statutory update to the authorities of the FCC’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) into the FCC’s organizational rules. The purpose of this rule change is to demonstrate the FCC’s commitment to ensuring that the FCC’s CIO has a significant role in advancing the Commission’s overall information technology capabilities. Section 502 of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 (RAY BAUM’S Act), Division P of Public Law 115–141, provides the FCC’s CIO with enhanced responsibilities.

The Chief Information Officer shall have a significant role in: The decisionmaking process for annual and multiyear planning, programming, budgeting, and execution decisions, related reporting requirements, and reports related to information technology; the management, governance, and oversight processes related to information technology; and the hiring of personnel with information technology responsibilities. The Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and budget officials, shall specify and approve the allocation of amounts appropriated to the Commission for information technology, consistent with the provisions of appropriations Acts, budget guidelines, and recommendations from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.