Document: 466 U.S. 463 104 S.Ct. 1936 80 L.Ed.2d 480 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION et al., Petitionersv.ITT WORLD COMMUNICATIONS, INC. al. No. 83-371. Supreme Court of the United States Argued March 21, 1984. Decided April 30, Syllabus The Government in Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552b(b), requires that "meetings" a federal agency be open to public. Section 552b(a)(2) defines "meeting" as "the deliberations at least number individual members required take action on behalf where such determine or result joint conduct disposition official business." Members petitioner Federal Communications Commission (FCC) participate with their European and Canadian counterparts Consultative Process, series conferences intended facilitate planning telecommunications facilities through exchange information regulatory policies. In this case, three FCC who constituted quorum FCC's Telecommunications Committee, subdivision FCC, attended which they were attempt persuade nations cooperate encouraging competition overseas market. Respondents, time, along another corporation, only American corporations provided record opposed entry new competitors, filed rulemaking petition requesting it disclaim any intent negotiate foreign governments bind agreements conferences. Respondents alleged negotiations ultra vires authority that, moreover, Act Process held denied petition. Respondent ITT World Communications, Inc., then suit District Court, similarly alleging officials agency's future meetings must conform Act's requirements. dismissed count jurisdictional grounds but ordered comply Act. Considering consolidated appeal Court's judgment denial petition, Appeals affirmed ruling applied reversed dismissal count, further had erroneously Held: 1. lacked jurisdiction over respondent's claim. Exclusive for review final orders, respondents' lies by statute Appeals. Litigants may not evade requirement enjoin is outcome order. Yet what respondents sought do, since, substance, complaint raised same issues enforce restrictions upon did was FCC. Pp. 468-469. 2. does require sessions 469-474. (a) Such do constitute defined 552b(a)(2). extend matters within subdivision's formally delegated authority. lawfully could "determine business" meaning Here, Committee session consider act applications common carrier certification, its 469-473. (b) Nor question meeting "of an agency" convened procedures subject unilateral control. 473-474. 226 U.S.App.D.C. 67, 699 F.2d 1219 (1983), remanded. Albert G. Lauber, Jr., Washington, D.C., petitioners. Grant S. Lewis, New York City, respondents. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 552b, mandates agencies hold This case us whether applies informal international Commission. We also decide exercise challenges after has addressed challenge order reviewable 2 * referred Process. At time issue present corporations—respondents Inc. (ITT), RCA Global Western Union International—provided services. Although approved into market other regulators been reluctant so. therefore added topic carriers services agenda hope might policy provision 3 opposing initiated litigation. First, concerning meetings. requested meetings, arguing Further, contended sessions, See 552b(b).1 Columbia Circuit. 4 Columbia. complaint, like (i) (ii) requirements grounds, Act.2 appealed, cross-appealed. Circuit considered part part. (1983). It however. Noting exclusive lay Appeals, court nonetheless entertain under 7033 participation should enjoined remanded consideration merits 6 concluded Consistent affirmance erred concluding apply sessions. found "patently inadequate" support conclusion attendance scope U.S.App.D.C., 95, F.2d, 1247. remanding suggested stay moot rulemaking. 7 granted certiorari, claim Process.4 464 932, 334, 78 304 reverse. II 8 initially vires. 28 2342(1); 47 402(a). these provisions Port Boston Marine Terminal Assn. v. Rederiaktiebolaget Transatlantic, 400 62, 69, 91 203, 208, 27 203 (1970); Whitney National Bank Orleans, 379 411, 419-422, 85 551, 556-558, 13 386 (1965). have case. supra, 465-466.5 appropriate procedure obtaining judicial statute. 9 Administrative Procedure authorizes extent statutory are inadequate. §§ 703, 704. contend confer because developed enable fairly evaluate If, however, finds administrative inadequate, remand agency, see Harrison PPG Industries, 446 578, 593-594, 100 1889, 1898-1899, 64 525 (1980), some circumstances refer special master, 2347(b)(3). Indeed, proceedings. conclude III 10 "meetings Under provisions, public, constitutes neither 522b(a)(2) nor 552b(b). A. 11 Congress drafting definition recognized process cannot conducted entirely public eye. "[I] nformal background discussions [that] clarify expose varying views" necessary work. S.Rep. 94354, p. 19 (1975). procedural requirements6 effectively would prevent thereby impair normal operations without achieving significant benefit.7 limits application "where . dispose 94-354, 12 Three Commissioners, seven-member Commission.8 were, Committee. That "subdivision authorized agency." pursuant 5(d)(1) 1934, 48 Stat. 1068, amended, 155(d)(1), power approve certification.9 CFR 0.215 well entire agency. 552b(a)(1). appear, engaged "deliberations language contemplates "effectively predetermine actions." 19; accord, id., 18. "sufficiently focused discrete proposals cause likely participating form reasonably firm positions regarding pending arise before R. Berg & Klitzman, An Interpretive Guide (1978) (hereinafter Guide).10 On cross-motions summary judgment, acted certification those resulted particular Committee.11 Rather, general Commissioners permitted them engage views decisions already reached implemented. As we noted, intend encompass discussions. 14 reach contrary finding deliberating inferred from members' undisclosed authority, delegated, business, "play[ed] integral role Commission's policymaking processes." 89, 1241. 15 view differently. deliberates reasoning group gathered business apparently viewed term "subdivision" itself indicates Guide, 2-3. Moreover, more expansive adopted host conversations type understood effective business.12 event, clear Act.13 certification—its authority—we B 16 prescribes follow when holds particularly chooses close meeting. n. 6, supra. These presuppose according procedures. And control restrict types attend. apparent Congress, enacting own contemplate broad substantive restraint processes. IV 17 For reasons, reverse proceedings consistent opinion. 18 so ordered. 552b(b) provides: "Members [of agency] shall jointly than accordance section. Except subsection (c), every portion observation." Subsection (c) contains exceptions, relevant 552b(a)(1) "agency" include "any headed collegial body composed two thereof 552b(h)(1). Title 703 provides part: "The proceeding matter specified or, absence inadequacy thereof, applicable legal competent jurisdiction." accepted contention inadequate vindicate claims. infra, 469. urges claim, unlike rulemaking, focuses past rather conduct. true sought, addition prospective relief, declaration violated App. 71. But gravamen both terms proposed. seems questionable unlawful controversy subject-matter jurisdiction. Cf. Aetna Life Ins. Co. Haworth, 300 227, 240-241, 57 461, 463-464, 81 L.Ed. 617 (1937). even if lawfulness central element doctrine primary challenged motion declaratory ruling, 1.2 421, 426, 558, 561, (1965); Far East Conference States, 342 570, 574, 577, 72 492, 494, 496, 96 576 (1952). Meetings unless one exemptions applicable. announce, week meeting, place, will closed. 552b(e)(1). closed counsel publicly certify permits closure. 552b(f)(1). Most transcribed recorded. Ibid. evolution reflects congressional precisely define limited statute's generally H.R.Rep. 94-880, pt. 2, (1976), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1976, 2183. example, Senate substituted "deliberations" previously proposed terms—"assembly simultaneous communication," H.R.11656, 94th Cong., 2d Sess., "gathering," 5, 1st 201(a) (1975)—in "exclude many nature." (1975); Similarly, earlier versions "concer[n] business," now in" "official revision clearly permit preliminary discussion among members. 122 Cong.Rec. 28474 (1976) (remarks Rep. Fascell). Since here, October 1979, membership reduced five. Pub.L. 97-253, 501(b), 805 (effective July 1, 1983). Common "in interstate communication wire radio" "radio transmission energy," 153(h), obtain certificate convenience necessity undertaking construction operation additional communications lines. 214. Permits obtained radio broadcasting stations. 319. Office Chairman prepared Congress' request, 552b(g), extensive consultation affected agencies. Memorandum Support Plaintiff's Motion Summary Judgment Opposition Defendant's Dismiss 6-11, 46-50, Reply 23-27, Civ. 80-0428 (Dist.Ct. DC). point made memorandum amicus curiae submitted Bar Association: decision Appeals] places untenable position. [U]nder court's decision, [agency] meet persons outside discuss concern complying pronounced (and deleterious) effect interaction between ." Memorandum, 5-6. Ultra no effect.

Category: 4