[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5764]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 97

[FCC 96-74]


Conforming Amateur Service Rules to the Provisions of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the amateur service rules, consistent with 
the statutory mandate of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, to remove 
certain unnecessary and outdated regulations. It removes the conflict-
of-interest provisions pertaining to the administration of amateur 
operator license examinations. It also eliminates the requirement that 
volunteer examiners (VEs) and volunteer-examiner coordinators (VECs) 
who administer and coordinate amateur operator examinations maintain 
records of out-of-pocket expenses and annually certify those expenses 
to the Commission. The effect of these rule amendments is to further 
the public interest because they eliminate unnecessary regulatory 
burdens.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 11, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maurice J. DePont, Federal 
Communications Commission, Washington, D. C. 20554, (202) 418-0690.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order, 
adopted February 28, 1996, and released February 28, 1996. The complete 
text of this Commission action, including the rule amendments, is 
available for inspection and copying at the Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 246, 1919 M Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. The 
complete text of this Order may also be obtained from the Commission's 
copy contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc., 2100 M 
Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D. C. 20037, telephone (202) 857-
3800.

Summary of Order:

    1. By this Order, we are revising the rules for the amateur 
service, consistent with the statutory mandate of the 1996 
Telecommunications Act, to remove the conflict-of-interest provisions 
pertaining to the administration of amateur operator license 
examinations.
    2. Also, to be consistent with the new statutory mandate, we are 
eliminating the requirement that volunteer examiners (VEs) and 
volunteer-examiner coordinators (VECs), who administer and coordinate 
amateur operator examinations, maintain records of out-of-pocket 
expenses, and, annually certify those expenses to the Commission.
    3. These rule amendments are necessary in order to make our rules 
consistent with the requirements of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
    4. The amended rules are set forth below, effective April 11, 1996.
    5. The rule amendments have been analyzed with respect to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1990, 44 U.S.C. Secs. 3501-3520, and are 
found to eliminate a paperwork burden imposed upon the public.
    6. This Order and the rule amendments are issued under the 
authority of Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154(i) and (303)(r).

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 97

    Examinations, Radio, Volunteers.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Final Rules

    Part 97 of Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
is amended as follows:

PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE

    1. The authority citation for Part 97 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303. 
Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47 
U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609, unless otherwise noted.


Sec. 97.509  [Amended]

    2. Section 97.509 is amended by removing paragraph (b)(5).


Sec. 97.521  [Amended]

    3. Section 97.521 is amended by removing paragraph (e).


Sec. 97.527  [Amended]

    4. Section 97.527 is amended by removing paragraphs (c), (d), (e), 
and (f).

[FR Doc. 96-5764 Filed 3-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P