Bureau Order on Dormant Proceedings
On September 27, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) released an Order (DA 12-1545) in CG Docket No. 12-39 terminating numerous inactive proceedings as dormant. The action follows delegated authority established under Section 0.141 of the Commission's rules, which directs periodic reviews of open proceedings to close inactive dockets.
The termination process aims to increase administrative efficiency, modernize agency processes, and ensure openness and transparency for the public and practitioners. Following publication in the Federal Register, the identified proceedings are closed in the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), while historical records, pleadings, and orders remain accessible in Commission archives.
- Order DA 12-1545 adopted and released on September 27, 2012.
- Proceeding initiated under CG Docket No. 12-39 following public notice on February 15, 2012.
- Procedural motions and pending requests not addressing merits in terminated dockets dismissed as moot.
Decisions on Specific Dockets and Public Comments
CGB evaluated public comments submitted in response to its February 15, 2012 Termination Public Notice before finalizing the list of dormant proceedings.
The Bureau denied a request by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) to maintain RM-11099 as active, finding that issues regarding low power FM and FM translators can be raised in the active MM Docket No. 99-25 proceeding. In contrast, MB Docket No. 05-6 was retained as active based on comments from the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc. et al. Additionally, CGB decided on its own motion to keep MB Docket No. 04-256 and IB Docket No. 98-96 open for potential future action.
- RM-11099 terminated as dormant after review of NJBA comments.
- MB Docket No. 05-6 kept open regarding public notice of broadcast station sales.
- MB Docket No. 04-256 and IB Docket No. 98-96 kept open sua sponte by the Bureau.
- MB Docket No. 04-232 terminated as dormant with enforcement authorities preserved.