81 FR 66020 - Federal Advisory Committee Act; Disability Advisory Committee

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 186 (September 26, 2016)

Page Range		66020-66021
FR Document		2016-23049
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announces its intent to renew a Federal Advisory Committee, known as the ``Disability Advisory Committee'' (hereinafter ``the Committee''), and to solicit nominations for membership to the next term of this Committee in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66020-66021]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23049]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 16-1011]


Federal Advisory Committee Act; Disability Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC 
or Commission) announces its intent to renew a Federal Advisory 
Committee, known as the ``Disability Advisory Committee'' (hereinafter 
``the Committee''), and to solicit nominations for membership to the 
next term of this Committee in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.

DATES: Applications are due as soon as possible, but no later than 
October 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Gardner, Designated Federal 
Officer, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-0581 
(voice or relay), or the ASL Consumer Support Line: 1-844-432-2275 via 
videophone; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applications and nominations for membership, 
including a statement of qualifications as noted below, should be 
submitted by email to the Federal Communications Commission at 
[email protected]. Applications will be acknowledged shortly after receipt 
via email. No specific application form is required; however 
applications from consumer organizations, corporations, nonprofits, or 
other entities (hereinafter ``organizational applicants'') should 
include the following information:
     The name of the organizational applicant applying for 
Committee membership (including whether the organizational applicant 
has previously served on the Committee);
     The name of the organizational applicant's primary 
representative, including title, postal mailing address, email address, 
and telephone number;
     The name of the organizational applicant's alternate 
representative, if any, including title, postal mailing address, email 
address, and telephone number;
     A statement noting the constituency represented by the 
organizational applicant (e.g., persons with disabilities, government, 
industry, etc.);
     The areas of communications accessibility in which the 
applicant has an interest, as well as the applicant's knowledge of and 
expertise in these areas and on other issues to be addressed by the 
Committee;
     A statement indicating the willingness of the 
organizational applicant to serve a two-year term; attend at least 
three plenary Committee meetings per year in Washington DC; serve on at 
least one working group or subcommittee; and an acknowledgement that 
the organizational applicant will serve without reimbursement of travel 
expenses or payment of honoraria, or a statement indicating that 
partial reimbursement of travel expenses will be sought; and
     A narrative statement detailing the organizational 
applicant's previous involvement concerning issues relevant to the 
Committee's work and the applicant's ability and willingness to 
contribute substantively to the Committee's deliberations.
    In the case of an individual applicant the application should 
include the following:
     The areas of communications accessibility in which the 
applicant has an interest, as well as the applicant's knowledge of and 
expertise in these areas and on other issues to be addressed by the 
Committee;
     A statement that the individual applicant is not a 
registered lobbyist (as noted above, financial and other additional 
disclosures may also apply to individual applicants);
     A statement by the individual applicant indicating a 
willingness to serve on the Committee for a two-year term; a commitment 
to attend three (3) plenary one-day meetings per year in Washington, 
DC; a commitment to work on at least one working group or subcommittee; 
and an acknowledgement that the individual applicant will serve without 
reimbursement of travel expenses or payment of honoraria, or a 
statement indicating that partial reimbursement of travel expenses will 
be sought; and
     A statement as to whether the individual applicant has 
served on the Committee previously.
    All members will have an initial and continuing obligation to 
disclose any interests in, or connections to, persons or entities that 
are, or will be, regulated by or have interests before the Commission. 
Please note this Notice is not intended to be the exclusive method by 
which the Commission will solicit nominations of and expressions of 
interest from qualified candidates. All candidates for membership on 
the Committee will, however, be subject to the same evaluation 
criteria.

[[Page 66021]]

    After the applications have been reviewed, the Commission will 
publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the appointment of 
the Committee members and the first meeting date of the Committee. All 
applicants will be notified via email or U.S. mail concerning the 
disposition of their applications. The Commission anticipates that 
appointments or re-appointments to the Committee will be commensurate 
with the renewal date of the Committee (December 30, 2016), and that 
the first meeting of the renewed Committee will occur in early 2017.
    To request materials in accessible formats for people with 
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), 
send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), or call ASL Consumer Support 
Line at (844) 432-2275 via videophone.

Synopsis

    1. On December 29, 2014, the Committee was established for a period 
of two years from the original charter date. The Commission anticipates 
that the Committee will hold the final meeting of its current term on 
December 6, 2016. Thereafter the Committee's charter and all member 
appointments will terminate on December 29, 2016. The Commission 
anticipates that the Committee's charter will be renewed for another 
two-year term. The Committee will operate in accordance with the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 
(1988). Each meeting of the Committee will be open to the public. A 
notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at 
least fifteen days in advance of the meeting. Records will be 
maintained of each meeting and made available for public inspection. 
More information about the Committee's recommendations and 
subcommittees may be found at its Web site: https://www.fcc.gov/general/disability-advisory-committee.
    2. The Committee, which was created under the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, provides a vehicle for consumers and other stakeholders 
to provide feedback and recommendations to the Commission on a wide 
array of disability issues within the FCC's jurisdiction. In addition 
to keeping the Commission apprised of current and evolving 
communications accessibility issues for persons with disabilities, 
recommendations from the Committee have enabled the FCC to build on its 
record of ensuring access to communications and video programming for 
people with disabilities. Some of the issues the Committee has 
addressed, and will continue to address, include telecommunications 
relay services, closed captioning, video description, access to 
emergency information on television and telephone emergency services, 
device accessibility, IP and other technology transitions, and the 
National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. When renewed, the 
Committee will also address new accessibility issues that arise.
    3. The Commission seeks applications from interested consumer 
organizations, industry and trade associations, corporations, 
governmental entities, and individuals that wish to be considered for 
membership on the Committee. Selections will be made on the basis of 
factors such as expertise and diversity of viewpoints that are 
necessary to effectively address the questions before the Committee. 
The Commission will determine the appropriate Committee size necessary 
to effectively accomplish the Committee's work. The Commission expects 
that on an annual basis the Committee will meet in Washington, DC for a 
minimum of three one-day meetings, all of which will be fully 
accessible to individuals with disabilities. In addition, working 
groups or subcommittees will be established as needed to facilitate the 
Committee's work between meetings of the full Committee. Working group 
and subcommittee deliberations will be conducted primarily through 
email and teleconference/videoconference meetings.
    4. Members must be willing to commit to a two-year term of service, 
should be willing and able to attend three one-day meetings per year in 
Washington, DC, and will also be expected to participate in 
deliberations of at least one working group or subcommittee. The time 
commitment to each working group or subcommittee may be substantial. 
The Commission does not provide payment or honoraria to members, and 
generally does not reimburse members for travel expenses, although it 
may have very limited funds to partially reimburse travel expenses of 
members who demonstrate need.
    5. Some applicants possessing expertise or perspectives of interest 
to the Committee, and who will serve on the Committee in an individual 
capacity (and not as the representative of a corporation, nonprofit, or 
other entity), are deemed to be Special Government Employees (SGEs). 
Such individuals are ineligible to serve if they are federally 
registered lobbyists. In addition, although all individuals serving on 
the Committee or its working groups, whether representatives or SGEs, 
can have personal or financial interests in their individual capacities 
that could create a conflict with the work of the Disability Advisory 
Committee if not properly addressed in consultation with the 
Commission's Office of General Counsel, SGEs specifically are subject 
to a variety of restrictions under the conflict of interest statutes, 
18 U.S.C. 203 et seq., and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for 
Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 CFR 2635. While not subject to 
those ethics restrictions to the same extent as more typical government 
employees because there are exceptions and waiver provisions available 
only to SGEs, SGEs do have to file confidential employee financial 
disclosure forms prior to beginning their service and annually 
thereafter. SGEs will also be subject to ethics restrictions in section 
4(b) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 154(b), and in the 
Commission's rules, 47 CFR 19, 5 CFR 3901 and 3902.

Federal Communications Commission.
Karen Peltz Strauss,
Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2016-23049 Filed 9-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
66020 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices

gender, and ethnicity of existing, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS an interest, as well as the applicant’s
reportable interest holders; the use of a COMMISSION knowledge of and expertise in these
unique identifier; and the biennial filing areas and on other issues to be
[DA 16–1011]
requirement. In addition, the 323/ addressed by the Committee;
CORES Order and Reconsideration • A statement indicating the
Federal Advisory Committee Act;
Order makes a number of significant willingness of the organizational
Disability Advisory Committee
changes to the Commission’s reporting applicant to serve a two-year term;
requirements that reduce the filing AGENCY: Federal Communications attend at least three plenary Committee
burdens on broadcasters, streamline the Commission. meetings per year in Washington DC;
process, and improve data quality. ACTION: Notice. serve on at least one working group or
subcommittee; and an
These enhancements will enable the
SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal acknowledgement that the
Commission to obtain data reflecting a Communications Commission (FCC or organizational applicant will serve
more useful, accurate, and thorough Commission) announces its intent to without reimbursement of travel
assessment of minority and female renew a Federal Advisory Committee, expenses or payment of honoraria, or a
broadcast station ownership in the known as the ‘‘Disability Advisory statement indicating that partial
United States while reducing certain Committee’’ (hereinafter ‘‘the reimbursement of travel expenses will
filing burdens. Committee’’), and to solicit nominations be sought; and
Licensees of noncommercial for membership to the next term of this • A narrative statement detailing the
educational AM, FM, and television Committee in accordance with the organizational applicant’s previous
broadcast stations must file FCC Form Federal Advisory Committee Act. involvement concerning issues relevant
2100, Schedule 323–E (formerly FCC DATES: Applications are due as soon as to the Committee’s work and the
Form 323–E) every two years. Pursuant possible, but no later than October 14, applicant’s ability and willingness to
to the new filing procedures adopted in 2016. contribute substantively to the
the 323/CORES Order and ADDRESSES: Federal Communications
Committee’s deliberations.
Reconsideration Order, Form 2100, In the case of an individual applicant
Commission, 445 12th Street SW.,
Schedule 323–E shall be filed by the application should include the
Washington, DC 20554.
December 1 in all odd-numbered years. following:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: • The areas of communications
Biennial Ownership Reports shall Elaine Gardner, Designated Federal
provide information accurate as of accessibility in which the applicant has
Officer, Consumer and Governmental an interest, as well as the applicant’s
October 1 of the year in which the Affairs Bureau, (202) 418–0581 (voice or knowledge of and expertise in these
Report is filed. relay), or the ASL Consumer Support areas and on other issues to be
In addition, Licensees and Permittees Line: 1–844–432–2275 via videophone; addressed by the Committee;
of noncommercial educational AM, FM, email: Elaine.Gardner@fcc.gov. • A statement that the individual
and television stations must file Form SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: applicant is not a registered lobbyist (as
2100, Schedule 323–E following the Applications and nominations for noted above, financial and other
consummation of a transfer of control or membership, including a statement of additional disclosures may also apply to
an assignment of a noncommercial qualifications as noted below, should be individual applicants);
educational AM, FM, or television submitted by email to the Federal • A statement by the individual
station license or construction permit; a Communications Commission at DAC@ applicant indicating a willingness to
Permittee of a new noncommercial fcc.gov. Applications will be serve on the Committee for a two-year
educational AM, FM, or television acknowledged shortly after receipt via term; a commitment to attend three (3)
station must file Form 2100, Schedule email. No specific application form is plenary one-day meetings per year in
323–E within 30 days after the grant of required; however applications from Washington, DC; a commitment to work
the construction permit; and a Permittee consumer organizations, corporations, on at least one working group or
of a new noncommercial educational nonprofits, or other entities (hereinafter subcommittee; and an
AM, FM, or television station must file ‘‘organizational applicants’’) should acknowledgement that the individual
Form 2100, Schedule 323–E to update include the following information: applicant will serve without
the initial report or to certify the • The name of the organizational reimbursement of travel expenses or
continuing accuracy and completeness applicant applying for Committee payment of honoraria, or a statement
of the previously filed report on the date membership (including whether the indicating that partial reimbursement of
that the Permittee applies for a license organizational applicant has previously travel expenses will be sought; and
to cover the construction permit. served on the Committee); • A statement as to whether the
• The name of the organizational individual applicant has served on the
In the case of organizational applicant’s primary representative, Committee previously.
structures that include holding including title, postal mailing address, All members will have an initial and
companies or other forms of indirect email address, and telephone number; continuing obligation to disclose any
ownership, a separate Form 2100, • The name of the organizational interests in, or connections to, persons
Schedule 323–E must be filed for each applicant’s alternate representative, if or entities that are, or will be, regulated
entity in the organizational structure any, including title, postal mailing by or have interests before the
that has an attributable interest in the address, email address, and telephone Commission. Please note this Notice is
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Licensee or Permittee. number; not intended to be the exclusive method
Federal Communications Commission. • A statement noting the constituency by which the Commission will solicit
represented by the organizational nominations of and expressions of
Marlene H. Dortch,
applicant (e.g., persons with disabilities, interest from qualified candidates. All
Secretary, Office of the Secretary. government, industry, etc.); candidates for membership on the
[FR Doc. 2016–23034 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am] • The areas of communications Committee will, however, be subject to
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P accessibility in which the applicant has the same evaluation criteria.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Notices 66021

After the applications have been disabilities. Some of the issues the whether representatives or SGEs, can
reviewed, the Commission will publish Committee has addressed, and will have personal or financial interests in
a notice in the Federal Register continue to address, include their individual capacities that could
announcing the appointment of the telecommunications relay services, create a conflict with the work of the
Committee members and the first closed captioning, video description, Disability Advisory Committee if not
meeting date of the Committee. All access to emergency information on properly addressed in consultation with
applicants will be notified via email or television and telephone emergency the Commission’s Office of General
U.S. mail concerning the disposition of services, device accessibility, IP and Counsel, SGEs specifically are subject to
their applications. The Commission other technology transitions, and the a variety of restrictions under the
anticipates that appointments or re- National Deaf-Blind Equipment conflict of interest statutes, 18 U.S.C.
appointments to the Committee will be Distribution Program. When renewed, 203 et seq., and the Standards of Ethical
commensurate with the renewal date of the Committee will also address new Conduct for Employees of the Executive
the Committee (December 30, 2016), and accessibility issues that arise. Branch, 5 CFR 2635. While not subject
that the first meeting of the renewed 3. The Commission seeks applications to those ethics restrictions to the same
Committee will occur in early 2017. from interested consumer organizations, extent as more typical government
To request materials in accessible industry and trade associations, employees because there are exceptions
formats for people with disabilities corporations, governmental entities, and and waiver provisions available only to
(Braille, large print, electronic files, individuals that wish to be considered SGEs, SGEs do have to file confidential
audio format), send an email to fcc504@ for membership on the Committee. employee financial disclosure forms
fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Selections will be made on the basis of prior to beginning their service and
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) factors such as expertise and diversity of annually thereafter. SGEs will also be
418–0530 (voice), or call ASL Consumer viewpoints that are necessary to subject to ethics restrictions in section
Support Line at (844) 432–2275 via effectively address the questions before 4(b) of the Communications Act, 47
videophone. the Committee. The Commission will U.S.C. 154(b), and in the Commission’s
determine the appropriate Committee rules, 47 CFR 19, 5 CFR 3901 and 3902.
Synopsis
size necessary to effectively accomplish
1. On December 29, 2014, the the Committee’s work. The Commission Federal Communications Commission.
Committee was established for a period expects that on an annual basis the Karen Peltz Strauss,
of two years from the original charter Committee will meet in Washington, DC Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental
date. The Commission anticipates that for a minimum of three one-day Affairs Bureau.
the Committee will hold the final meetings, all of which will be fully [FR Doc. 2016–23049 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am]
meeting of its current term on December accessible to individuals with BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
6, 2016. Thereafter the Committee’s disabilities. In addition, working groups
charter and all member appointments or subcommittees will be established as
will terminate on December 29, 2016. needed to facilitate the Committee’s
The Commission anticipates that the work between meetings of the full FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
Committee’s charter will be renewed for Committee. Working group and CORPORATION
another two-year term. The Committee subcommittee deliberations will be
will operate in accordance with the conducted primarily through email and Notice of Termination; 10370 First
provisions of the Federal Advisory teleconference/videoconference Commercial Bank of Tampa Bay,
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988). meetings. Tampa, Florida
Each meeting of the Committee will be 4. Members must be willing to
open to the public. A notice of each commit to a two-year term of service, The Federal Deposit Insurance
meeting will be published in the should be willing and able to attend Corporation (FDIC), as Receiver for
Federal Register at least fifteen days in three one-day meetings per year in 10370 First Commercial Bank of Tampa
advance of the meeting. Records will be Washington, DC, and will also be Bay, Tampa, Florida (Receiver) has been
maintained of each meeting and made expected to participate in deliberations authorized to take all actions necessary
available for public inspection. More of at least one working group or to terminate the receivership estate of
information about the Committee’s subcommittee. The time commitment to First Commercial Bank of Tampa Bay
recommendations and subcommittees each working group or subcommittee (Receivership Estate); the Receiver has
may be found at its Web site: https:// may be substantial. The Commission made all dividend distributions
www.fcc.gov/general/disability- does not provide payment or honoraria required by law.
advisory-committee. to members, and generally does not The Receiver has further irrevocably
2. The Committee, which was created reimburse members for travel expenses, authorized and appointed FDIC-
under the Federal Advisory Committee although it may have very limited funds Corporate as its attorney-in-fact to
Act, provides a vehicle for consumers to partially reimburse travel expenses of execute and file any and all documents
and other stakeholders to provide members who demonstrate need. that may be required to be executed by
feedback and recommendations to the 5. Some applicants possessing the Receiver which FDIC-Corporate, in
Commission on a wide array of expertise or perspectives of interest to its sole discretion, deems necessary;
disability issues within the FCC’s the Committee, and who will serve on including but not limited to releases,
jurisdiction. In addition to keeping the the Committee in an individual capacity discharges, satisfactions, endorsements,
Commission apprised of current and (and not as the representative of a
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

assignments and deeds.
evolving communications accessibility corporation, nonprofit, or other entity),
issues for persons with disabilities, are deemed to be Special Government Effective September 1, 2016, the
recommendations from the Committee Employees (SGEs). Such individuals are Receivership Estate has been
have enabled the FCC to build on its ineligible to serve if they are federally terminated, the Receiver discharged,
record of ensuring access to registered lobbyists. In addition, and the Receivership Estate has ceased
communications and video although all individuals serving on the to exist as a legal entity.
programming for people with Committee or its working groups, Dated: September 21, 2016.

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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:23:02
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:23:02
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Applications are due as soon as possible, but no later than October 14, 2016.
Contact		Elaine Gardner, Designated Federal Officer, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-0581 (voice or relay), or the ASL Consumer Support Line: 1-844-432-2275 via videophone; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 66020