Targeted News Service

WASHINGTON

The Federal Communications Commission issued the following public notice:

Pursuant to Section 6203(b)(1)(A) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Spectrum Act), Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) Chairman Julius Genachowski appointed fourteen persons to serve on Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability (Interoperability Board). These appointments were announced in a public notice issued on March 22, 2012.

By this Public Notice, the Commission announces the formation of a public docket, PS Docket 12-74, established for the Interoperability Board. Parties desiring to contribute materials for the Interoperability Board to consider in developing its recommendations may submit their materials in this docket. Parties may seek confidential treatment of materials they submit pursuant to Section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. By creating this docket, we provide a vehicle for outside parties to contribute to the Board’s deliberations in an open and transparent manner. This docket is not intended, however, to serve as the exclusive mechanism by which members of the Interoperability Board will receive information from outside sources to inform their deliberations.

We also announce the election by the members of the Interoperability Board of Charles L.K. Robinson, Director, Business Support Services, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Kenneth C. Budka, Senior Director, Advanced Mission-Critical Communications, Bell Labs Chief Technology Office, Alcatel-Lucent, as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

Finally, we announce that we have been informed by State of Alaska representatives that James Kohler of the Alaska Department of Administration, who had previously been nominated to the Interoperability Board, is unable to serve. In his place the Chairman has appointed Bill Price, Director of Broadband Programs, Department of Management Services of the State of Florida. The Chairman welcomes Mr. Price to the Interoperability Board.

Because we are establishing this docket to facilitate the collection of information, and we are not at this time initiating a rulemaking, we designate PS Docket No. 12-74 as exempt under the ex parte rules. Interested persons may make presentations to decision-making personnel concerning PS Docket No. 12-74 without restriction and without being subject to any reporting requirements. Further, we intend for Interoperability Board members to be able to communicate freely with Commission decision-making personnel about relevant matters. We will therefore treat them as Commission decision-making personnel for purposes of the ex parte rules. See 47 C.F.R. section 1.1200(a). Accordingly, they will not be subject to ex parte limitations and reporting requirements that apply to persons who are not decision-making personnel when making presentations regarding restricted or permit-but-disclose proceedings.

For further information, please contact Jennifer A. Manner, Deputy Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at 202-418-3619 or jennifer.manner@fcc.gov