Rep Stearns calls for overhaul of ‘byzantine’ FCC processes

Rep Cliff Stearns (R-FL) called for major reforms at the Federal Communications Commission, saying the agency is ruled by "Byzantine regulatory processes" and is in dire need of an overhaul to increase transparency and streamline interactions with industry.

"Secrecy breeds both inefficiency and distrust," he said. "The FCC already has both." Rep Stearns said FCC processes haven't kept pace with technological change and stand to hamper innovation. He said the public comment period on FCC proposals should come after proposals are released so stakeholders can be better informed about what they are commenting on. The FCC’s comment periods now come before proposals are unveiled to the public. He also called on the FCC to address the backlog in licensing requests. The FCC is "widely expected to change its mind between decision and regulation," Rep Stearns said. He endorsed legislation from Communications subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) that would allow two commissioners to meet privately, subject to certain disclosure rules. Such meetings are not barred for transparency reasons.