Comments on H.R. 3229 and H.R. 3240

GAO was requested to comment on H.R. 3239 and H.R. 3240. The first bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a 1-year period instead of on a permanent basis; (2) require FCC to establish a fee schedule to recover costs which it incurs in carrying out certain regulatory activities; and (3) require FCC to expedite its efforts to revise the uniform system of accounts for common carriers. The second bill would establish a 1-year authorization for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) instead of on a permanent basis. GAO supports the establishment of periodic authorizations for both FCC and NTIA, as well the requirements that FCC formulate a cost based fee schedule and expedite its efforts to revise the uniform system of accounts for common carriers.