FCC 'ABCs' Act of 2017

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reform the Federal Communications Commission by requiring an analysis of benefits and costs during the rule making process and creating certain presumptions regarding regulatory forbearance and biennial regulatory review determinations. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the FCC ‘ABCs’ Act of 2017 2. Analysis of benefits and costs in FCC rule making process (a) In general Section 4 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 154 (p) (1) In the case of a proposed or final rule (including a proposed or final amendment to an existing rule) that may have an economically significant impact, the Commission shall include in the notice of proposed rule making or final rule, respectively, an analysis of the benefits and costs of the proposed or final rule that demonstrates that the benefits outweigh the costs, recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify. (2) For purposes of this subsection, the term economically significant impact . (b) No additional appropriations authorized The amendment made by subsection (a) does not authorize any appropriations for the express purpose, in whole or in part, of carrying out such amendment. 3. Presumption regarding regulatory forbearance determination Section 10 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 160 (f) Presumption In making a determination under subsection (a), the Commission shall presume, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, that the requirements for forbearance under such subsection are met. . 4. Presumption regarding biennial regulatory review determination Section 11 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 161 (c) Presumption In making a determination under subsection (a)(2), the Commission shall presume, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, that the regulation is no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of telecommunications service. .

Summary: FCC "ABCs" Act of 2017 This bill amends Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in the case of a proposed or final rule (including a proposed or final amendment to an existing rule) that may have an economically significant impact, to include in the notice a cost-benefit analysis demonstrating that the benefits outweigh the costs, recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify. An "economically significant impact" is defined as an effect on the economy of at least $100 million annually or a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. The bill prohibits any appropriations for the express purpose of carrying out such analysis and notice requirements. The FCC must presume, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, that: (1) forbearance requirements are met when determining whether to forbear from applying any regulation or provision under such Act to a telecommunications carrier, service, or class; and (2) regulations considered in each biennial regulatory review are no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of telecommunications service.