[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3036-3037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-940]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 08-2817 and DA 09-15]


Consumer Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission announces the re-chartering and appointment of 
members to the Consumer Advisory Committee (``Committee'') of the 
Federal Communications Commission (``Commission''). The Commission 
further designates the Chairperson of the Committee, and announces the 
date and agenda of the Committee's first meeting in calendar year 2009.

DATES: The first meeting of the re-chartered Committee will take place 
on January 30, 2009, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Commission's Headquarters 
Building, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Marshall, Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-2809 (voice), (202) 418-0179 
(TTY), or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 30, 2008, the Commission 
released document DA 08-2817, which announced the re-chartering of its 
Consumer Advisory Committee, announced the appointment of twenty-eight 
(28) members to the Committee and designated the Committee's 
chairperson.
    On January 9, 2009, the Commission released document DA 09-15, 
announced the agenda, date and time of the Committee's first meeting in 
calendar year 2009.
    The Committee is organized under and will operate in accordance 
with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. 
App. 2 (1988). On November 17, 2008, the Committee was re-chartered for 
another two-year term.
    The mission of the Committee is to make recommendations to the 
Commission regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the 
Commission and to facilitate the participation of consumers (including 
people with disabilities and underserved populations, such as American 
Indians and persons living in rural areas) in proceedings before the 
Commission. Each meeting of the full Committee will be open to the 
public. A notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal 
Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting. Records 
will be maintained of each meeting and made available for public 
inspection.

Functions

    Digital Transition. The digital television transition will remain 
the principal focus of the Committee thru early 2009 as the Commission 
continues its efforts to assist consumers in understanding and 
preparing for the transition which, by law, must be completed by 
February 17, 2009.
    Other Topics. In addition to digital television, other topics to be 
addressed by the Committee will include, but are not limited to, the 
following areas:
    1. Consumer protection and education (e.g., cramming, slamming, 
consumer friendly billing, detariffing, bundling of services, Lifeline/
Linkup programs, customer service, privacy, telemarketing abuses, and 
outreach to underserved populations, such as Native Americans and 
persons living in rural areas).
    2. Access by people with disabilities (e.g., telecommunications 
relay services, video description, closed captioning, accessible 
billing and access to telecommunications products and services).
    3. Impact upon consumers of new and emerging technologies (e.g., 
availability of broadband, digital television, cable, satellite, low 
power FM, and the convergence of these and emerging technologies).

Appointment of Chairman and Members

    The Commission appointed twenty-eight (28) members to its Consumer 
Advisory Committee. Of this number, twelve (12) represent interests of 
consumers, minorities, and low income communities; five (5) represent 
disabilities communities; six (6) represent the interest of state, 
local, and Native American interests, and, five (5) represent industry 
interests. The Committee's slate is designed to be representative of 
the Commission's many constituencies, and the diversity selected will 
provide a balanced point of view as required by the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act. All appointments are effective immediately and shall 
terminate November 17, 2010 or when the Committee is terminated, 
whichever is earlier.
    The roster as appointed by Chairman Kevin J. Martin is as follows:
    Ms. Debra Berlyn, representing the Digital Television Transition 
Coalition is hereby appointed as chairperson of the Committee.
    Other members by organization and primary representative name 
include:
    1. AARP--Marti T. Doneghy.
    2. Alaska State Department of Law--Lew Craig.
    3. Alliance for Community Media--Gloria Tristani.
    4. American Council of the Blind--Eric Bridges.
    5. Appalachian Regional Commission--Harry L. Roesch.
    6. Benton Foundation--Charles Benton.
    7. Cablevision--Dodie Tschirch.
    8. Call For Action--Shirley Rooker.
    9. Communication Service for the Deaf--Karen Peltz Strauss.
    10. Communications Workers of America--Jeffrey Rechenbach.
    11. Consumer Action--Ken McEldowney.
    12. Consumer Electronics Association--Jamie Hedlund.
    13. Consumer Federation of America--Irene E. Leech.
    14. Consumers Union--Gene Kimmelman.
    15. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network--Claude 
Stout.
    16. Digital Television Transition Coalition--Debra Berlyn, 
Chairperson.
    17. Dishnetwork Corporation (formerly EchoStar Communications 
Corporation)--Lori Kalani.
    18. Hawaii State Public Utilities Commission--John Cole.
    19. Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians--Brandon Stephens.
    20. Hearing Loss Association of America--Lise Hamlin.
    21. League of United Latin American Citizens--Eduardo Pena, Jr.
    22. National Association of Broadcasters--John L. Sander.

[[Page 3037]]

    23. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners--
Nixyvette Santini.
    24. National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates--
Brenda Pennington.
    25. Northern VA Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
Persons--Cheryl Heppner.
    26. Parents Television Council--Dan Isett.
    27. Southern Growth Policies Board--Scott Doron.
    28. Verizon Communications, Inc.--Richard T. Ellis.

Meeting Date and Agenda

    At its January 30, 2009 meeting, the Committee will continue its 
consideration of digital television (DTV) transition issues. The 
Committee may also consider recommendations regarding broadband/
universal service, closed captioning, relay services, as well as other 
consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission. In addition, 
the Committee will consider administrative and procedural matters 
relating to its functions.
    Meetings are open to the public and are broadcast on the Internet 
in Real Audio/Real Video format with captioning at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cac. Members of the public may address the Committee or may send 
written comments to: Scott Marshall, Designated Federal Officer of the 
Committee, at the address indicated on the first page of this document. 
The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Meetings 
are sign language interpreted with real-time transcription and 
assistive listening devices available. Meeting agendas and handout 
materials are provided in accessible formats.
    To request materials in accessible formats for people with 
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), 
send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

Federal Communications Commission
Catherine W. Seidel,
Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
 [FR Doc. E9-940 Filed 1-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P