Should The FCC Streamline Its Reports? (H.R. 734)

What is H.R. 734?

(Updated February 27, 2017)

This bill seeks to simplify the way that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports on various communications markets. It does so by cutting the existing report requirements for specific media (satellite communications, video, etc.) and, instead, requires the FCC to file a report on the overall “communications marketplace.” 

The report would have to include information on competition in, the distribution of, and the regulation of the "communications marketplace." In that competition segment, the FCC would be charged with deciding if existing laws and regulations are posing a barrier to entry into said communications markets. In its report, the FCC would have to draw up a two year plan.

Argument in favor

Current reporting requirements are redundant. Streamlining them saves both communications providers and the government time and money.

Argument opposed

There’s a reason that reporting requirements exist —  they supply valuable information. Cutting some of these requirements will allow communications providers to cut corners.

Impact

People who use the internet and phones , the FCC, Internet providers, phone providers, and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 734

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However a CBO estimate of a previous version of this bill done in 2013 found that implementation would have a negligible affect on federal spending.

Additional Info

In Depth:

Reporting programs that this bill amends include the ORBIT Act Report, the International Broadband Data Report, the Satellite Competition Report, and the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming Report. These, and more are part of the Communications Act of 1934, which created the FCC.

Media:

Sponsoring Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) Press Release

Times-Picayune

Wikipedia

MultiChannelNews.com

CBO Cost Estimate (Previous Bill Version)

(Photo Credit: Flickr user wiredbike)