Rep. Kinzinger introduces bill to bolster transparency in FCC rulemaking

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be required to post relevant documents on its official website at least 21 days before issues are considered under a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) on July 18 to improve transparency at the agency and better inform U.S. citizens.

The FCC Transparency Act, H.R. 6422, would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure that public information is available ahead of FCC hearings. However, the measure would establish emergency exceptions to the 21-day rule when the FCC chair deems documents as confidential, classified or an invasion of privacy.

“Today, I’m proud to reintroduce the FCC Transparency Act and further our mission to increase transparency, efficiency and accountability at the Federal Communications Commission,” Rep. Kinzinger, a member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, said. “FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has established some commonsense programs to increase transparency at the commission, and my legislation will simply make some of the most important parts of those policies permanent.”

FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly applauded Rep. Kinzinger for introducing the measure, noting that it would codify the current FCC practice of making documents publicly available three weeks before hearings.

“As a result of this practice, unnecessary discussions of non-existent issues have been eliminated, conversations are more productive, commissioners are still speaking their minds and negotiating internally on items, and work product has greatly improved,” O’Rielly said. “I have also seen comments from all Commissioner offices — Republican and Democrats — in favor of the practice. Despite the broad support for this program, as well as Chairman Pai’s effort to initiate this reform for added agency transparency, I believe codifying this practice is important to ensuring its longevity.”

Congress must ensure that the American public has access to proposed FCC rules in order to provide input, Kinzinger added.

“This will help the FCC be more responsive and productive while also keeping our government more open and transparent to those we serve,” Rep. Kinzinger said.

The bill has three cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-MO), and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.