Rulemaking For NCE Permitting And LPFM Processing

At its February meeting, the FCC adopted a proposed rulemaking to review various aspects of how noncommercial educational permits are awarded. The rulemaking proposes to (i) eliminate requirements to amend non-profit governing documents related to established local applicants or claiming diversity points, (ii) establish uniform divestiture pledge policies, (iii) expand tie-breaker criteria, (iv) revise time-sharing procedures and (v) modify the “holding period” rules.

For LPFM, the rulemaking proposes (i) prohibiting amendments to cure Section 301 violations by application parties, (ii) permit time-sharing agreements prior to tentative selectee designations, and (iii) establish procedures for remaining tentative selectees after dismissal of time-sharing amendments.

Comments can be filed now. Deadlines for initial and reply comments will follow 60 days after publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register.