[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 98 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25183-25184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12588]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 1 and 73

[MM Docket No. 96-16, FCC 96-198]


Revision of Broadcast EEO Policies

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; dismissal of 
petition for reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: In Streamlining Broadcast EEO Rules and Policies, FCC 96-198, 
released April 26, 1996 (Streamlining), the Commission dismisses a 
Petition for Reconsideration, grants a Petition for Clarification in 
part and denies it in part, and grants a motion for extension of time 
concerning the Commission's Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 
11 FCC Rcd 5154 (1996), MM Docket No. 96-16, 61 FR 9964 (March 12, 
1996) (NPRM). The Commission finds that the public interest favors 
grant of the motion for extension of time.

DATES: Initial comments due July 1, 1996; reply comments due July 31, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 
Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hope G. Cooper, Mass Media Bureau, 
Enforcement Division. (202) 418-1450.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of Streamlining, FCC 96-
198, adopted and released April 26, 1996.
    The complete text of Streamlining is available for inspection and 
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 
239), 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC, and also may be purchased 
from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription 
Services,

[[Page 25184]]

Inc., at (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington, DC 
20037.

Synopsis of Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making

    The Commission responds to two pleadings, a Petition for 
Reconsideration and Clarification, and a Motion for Extension of Time, 
filed by twenty organizations (including the Minority Media and 
Telecommunications Council), concerning the Commission's Order and 
Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 11 FCC Rcd 5154 (1996), MM Docket No. 
96-16, 61 FR 9964 (March 12, 1996). In the Petition for Reconsideration 
and Clarification, among other things, Petitioners argue that, because 
the NPRM has the effect of rejecting proposals previously submitted to 
the Commission, the NPRM is a final action against which petitions for 
reconsideration may be filed pursuant to Section 1.429 of the 
Commission's Rules. They also argue that the Commission should amend 
the NPRM to include various proposals set forth in the Petition, as 
well as revise language in the NPRM to clarify that it is soliciting 
comment in support of increased, as well as reduced, EEO requirements. 
In the Motion for Extension of Time, Petitioners request that the 
Commission extend the date for submission of comments in response to 
the NPRM to two months following the issuance of an order reconsidering 
and/or clarifying the NPRM. They contend that without such an order 
they would be unable to develop thorough and meaningful comments to the 
NPRM. In addition, Petitioners assert that their present resources are 
severely limited by, among other things, their involvement in 
proceedings concerning the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
    2. The Commission rejects Petitioners' argument that the NPRM is a 
final action, finding that the NPRM did not implement any rule or 
reject any proposals presently pending before the Commission, and, 
accordingly, dismisses the Petition for Reconsideration. See 47 CFR 
1.429. The Commission grants the Petition for Clarification in part and 
otherwise denies it. The Commission states that ``[t]he proposals in 
the NPRM sought to further the objectives of our EEO Rule and policies 
while minimizing undue regulatory burdens on broadcasters. We encourage 
Petitioners to submit with their comments any alternatives to the 
proposals that further these goals.'' Finally, the Commission finds 
that the public interest favors grant of the motion for extension of 
time, and, therefore, the Commission extends the comment and reply 
comment dates to July 1, 1996, and July 31, 1996, respectively.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-12588 Filed 5-17-96; 8:45 am]
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