Legal Document

486 U.S. 57 108 S.Ct. 1637 100 L.Ed.2d 48 CITY OF NEW YORK, City of Miami, Wheaton and National League Cities, Petitionersv.FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION et al. No. 87-339. Argued March 29, 1988. Decided May 16, Syllabus In 1974, after two years unsatisfactory experience with conflicting federal local technical standards governing the transmission cable television broadcast signals, Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) promulgated regulations pre-empting field signal-quality regulation. 1984, this Court broadly approved pre-emptive authority that FCC had asserted over system Capital Cities Cable, Inc. v. Crisp, 467 691, 104 2694, 81 580. A few months later, Congress enacted Cable Policy Act 1984 (Cable Act), which empowers state authorities to enfranchise systems specify facilities equipment franchisees could use, but also authorizes establish for such equipment. Pursuant latter provision, adopted establishing quality signals forbidding impose more stringent standards. Petitioners sought review in Appeals, contesting scope FCC's claimed asserting franchising stricter than Commission's. The court upheld regulations. Held: did not exceed its statutory by signal those set forth Commission's Pp. 63-70. (a) Whether a agency has properly determined given area is exclusive pre-empts any regulatory efforts does depend on existence express congressional authorization displace law. Rather, correct focus itself proper bounds lawful undertake action. If agency's decision pre-empt represents reasonable accommodation policies committed care statute, should be disturbed unless it appears from statute legislative history "is one would have sanctioned." United States Shimer, 367 374, 383, 1554, 1560, 6 908. 63-64. (b) adopting at issue, explicitly stated intent continue prior policy exercising regulation, order address potentially serious adaptability cost problems created operators consumers vary community community. Thus, case turn whether there an actual conflict between law, compliance both physically impossible. 65-66. (c) acted within under when pre-empted against 10-year background pre-emption particular issue time shortly Crisp very similar respects. Nevertheless, sanctioned relevant respects scheme already been following, without indicating explicit disapproval Given difficulties experienced inconsistent standards, doubtful meant overturn discussion even suggestion was doing so. To contrary, makes clear intended work significant change. nothing compels conclusion 66-70. 259 U.S.App.D.C. 191, 814 F.2d 720 (1987), affirmed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Stephen J. McGrath, New York City, petitioners. Lawrence G. Wallace, Washington, D.C., respondent, F.C.C. H. Bartow Farr, III, Television. Justice WHITE 1 govern prohibit imposing so exceeded authority. 2 * This deals yet another development ongoing federal, state, regulate different aspects past three decades. See 700-705, 2700-2703, 580 (1984); Southwestern Co., 392 157, 161-178, 88 1994, 1996-2005, 20 1001 (1968). With incipient 1950's 1960's what generally known as antenna systems, began assert area. CATV Second Report Order, F.C.C.2d 725 (1966). 1972, first devised cable, though regulation matters authorities. Television 36 143, reconsideration, 326 (1972), aff'd sub nom. American Civil Liberties Union FCC, 523 1344 (CA9 1975).1 Within years, however, became convinced "a compelling need national uniformity standards" require meet "necessity rationalize, interrelate, bring into myriad now being developed numerous jurisdictions." 49 470, 477, 480 (1974). explained multiplicity mandatory nonuniform requirements undermined "the ultimate workability over-all system," deleterious effect new services," "seriously imped[e]" "development marketing source, transmission, terminal equipment." Id. 478-479.2 3 systems. We held 1934, authorized "to all interstate communication wire radio," including subsequently medium television, "extends actions 'necessary ensure achievement responsibilities.' " supra, 700, 2701, quoting Midwest Video Corp., 440 689, 706, 99 1435, 1444, 59 692 (1979). Although law invalidated regulated commercial advertising rather recognized 10 "retained jurisdiction operational communication, carriage standards." 702, 2702. 4 Court's 98 Stat. 2780, 47 U.S.C. §§ 521-559 (1982 ed., Supp. IV). Among objectives passing Act, purported "establish concerning communications" "minimize unnecessary undue economic burden systems." 521(1), (6) guidelines exercise Federal, State, respect systems" through procedures "encourage growth assure are responsive needs interests community." 521(3), (2) 5 left authorities; were empowered provided "consistent title." 624(a), (b), 544(a), Section 624(e) "[t]he may relating franchise." § 544(e) 1985, four classes channels forbid their own channels. 50 Fed.Reg. 7801, 7802 (1985), CFR pt. 76 (1986). eventually modified version these regulations, reaffirmed established television. Fed.Reg., 52462, 52464-52465. found adopt IV), 154(i) 303(r). 52466. (the cities York, Wheaton, Cities) court, where they contested insisted specified Commission. 7 Appeals granted partial relief (1987). It noted applicable class channels, other completely unregulated. agreed petitioners arbitrarily capriciously prohibited ignored apparent language Act. therefore vacated part rule remanded further proceedings. court's holding point, here.3 8 divided, propriety apply majority panel pre-emption, ruling like supersede broad confines delegated One judge dissented, contending manifestation intent, contrary decisions. certiorari, 484 962, 449, 389 we affirm. II 9 When Government acts possesses Constitution, laws extent believed action necessary achieve purposes. Supremacy Clause Constitution gives force kind stating Laws shall made Pursuance" "shall supreme Law Land." Const., Art. VI, cl. 2. phrase "Laws States" encompasses statutes themselves accordance authorization. For reason, same our decisions number ways can understood see Louisiana Public Service Comm'n 476 355, 368-369, 106 1890, 1898-1899, 90 369 (1986), acting congressionally regulation" hence render unenforceable otherwise Id., 369, 1898-1999. involves here inquiry becomes exercised simply power. Thus emphasized situation "narrow Congress' [is] misdirected," "[a] regulation's law." Fidelity Savings & Loan Assn. De la Cuesta, 458 141, 154, 102 3014, 3023, 73 664 (1982). Instead, seeks statutorily will conflicts frustrates purposes thereof. Beyond that, circumstances determine forbidden U.S., 2700; 152-154, S.Ct., 3022-3023. long many responsibilities conferred agencies involve grant reconcile policies. Where true, cautioned if choice "represents disturb 908 (1961); 2700. III A. 11 case, no room doubting signals. here, said: 12 "Technical create negative consequences terms service ability industry respond technological changes. problem, proposed Notice retain level used, exceeded, 13 14 "After record proceeding, believe 1974 effective, remain force, entirely consistent specific provisions general underlying constrained performance Class I restrictive contained rules. reasons caused adoption appear valid today adopted." 52464. 15 As above, continued 1985 applying quality. F.C.C.2d, 477-481. Since 153, 3022. B 16 second legally complementary additional clearly possible operator comply addition identified least why crucial determination issue. "First, literally power act, let alone validly legislation sovereign until confers upon it. Second, best way determining administrative examine nature agency." Comm'n, 1901. reason particularly because obliged assess import section appeared limited jurisdiction, manner telephone companies depreciate certain plant 369-376, 379, 1899-1902, 1904, construing 152(b). 17 conclude preceding delegation "[m]ake rules prescribe restrictions conditions, carry out chapter [the communications laws, Title Code, Chapter 5]," means implementing legitimate discretionary "public convenience, interest, necessity requires" field. 303 303(r); 481; 154(i). handed down during considering 701-705, 2701-2703. 18 following since 1974. 624 "services, facilities, equipment" respects, enforce requirements, grants 544(a)-(e) mirrors before passed, permitted services, quality, reserved Government. 19 quite indicates disapproved standards.4 area, reverse ground unhappy practical imposed various localities, doubt decade-old House discusses portrays straightforward endorsement current law: "Subsection (e) allows related required pursuant agreement. provision affect regarding franchise 624(b) subsection." H.R.Rep. 98-934, p. 70 (1984), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News, pp. 4655, 4707. 21 passage change case. By noting "does intend remove longstanding "affect authority" particular, manifest giving them supplement last which, according view, disserves public interest.5 insist 624, evidenced quoted do But disregards pre-empt, take away And findings, based considerable basic television—findings articulated then reiterated 1986. 478-479; 22 sum, find leads us 1560.6 affirm judgment Appeals. 23 ordered. "technical describe, quantitative terms, electrical characteristics audio video components subscribers, items visual carrier frequency, aural center level, isolation, radiation leakage. 76.601, 76.605 ultimately systems," 480, fashioned gradual effect. Because "many pre-existing states cannot shown adversely goals," decided extend "grandfather" approval certified January 1, 1975. Ibid. addition, mechanism (and remains effect) "different obtain waiver 480-481; n. 5, infra. At argument, contended question presented Tr. Oral Arg. 5-7, 9-10. disagree. failed resolve "with petitioner's alternative argument . rulemaking arbitrary capricious." 197-198, 720, 726-727 Appeals' disposition vacate portions remand brief, moreover, refer specifically vote 2-1 [in] Appeals" questions presented, below only Brief i. argue empowering account operator's service, light needs," 546(c)(1)(B) implicitly comprehensive task. Yet ignores fact able Commission, adequate "an acceptable worst subscriber location thus better average subscriber." 52463, (1985). free, course, petition individualized permit "impose requirements," seek demonstrating conditions special make inadequate. 76.7 authorities, consider retains 4(i) amended, 303, 1984. possess sections well claim withdrew draws some support 152(a) Act] Act]." On hand, suggests merely "exclusive jurisdiction" 95-96 Admin.News 4732, 4733, settles occasionally dispute. continues give "as chapter," 303(r), includes body subchapters. event decide basis well.

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