Program Originating FM Broadcast Booster Stations, 26847-26855 [2024-07911]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26847-26855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07911]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 73 and 74

[MB Docket No. 20-401, FCC 24-35; FR ID 213399]


Program Originating FM Broadcast Booster Stations

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission or FCC) seeks comment on revising Commission rules to 
establish processing, licensing, and service rules that will enable 
full power FM and low power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations to originate 
programming using FM booster stations. In a concurrently adopted Report 
and Order (R&O), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register, the Commission found that it would be in the public interest 
to provide broadcasters flexibility to use program originating 
boosters, subject to certain safeguards needed to address concerns 
raised in the record. This further notice of proposed rulemaking 
(FNPRM) seeks comment on the details of implementing these safeguards 
and on a number of proposed rule changes.

DATES: Comments due on or before May 16, 2024; reply comments due on or 
before June 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's 
rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and 
reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of 
this document. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic 
Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in 
Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). You may submit comments, 
identified by MB Docket No. 20-401, FCC 24-35, by any of the following 
methods:
     Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically 
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
     Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must 
file an original and one copy of each filing.
     Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courier, or by 
first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be 
addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission.
     Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, 
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
     U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority 
mail must be addressed to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
     Effective March 19, 2020, and until further notice, the 
Commission no longer accepts any hand or messenger delivered filings. 
This is a temporary measure taken to help protect the health and safety 
of individuals, and to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. See FCC 
Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and Change in Hand-
Delivery Policy, Public Notice, DA 20-304 (March 19, 2020). https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-closes-headquarters-open-window-and-changes-hand-delivery-policy.
     People with Disabilities: To request materials in 
accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, 
electronic files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or 
call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 
(voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Shuldiner, Chief, Media Bureau, 
Audio Division, (202) 418-2721, [email protected]; Irene 
Bleiweiss, Attorney, Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2785, 
[email protected]. For additional information concerning the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) information collection requirements 
contained in this document, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's FNPRM, 
FCC 24-35, adopted March 27, 2024 and released April 2, 2024. The full 
text of this document is available by downloading the text from the 
Commission's website at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-35A1.pdf.
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis: This document proposes 
new or modified information collection requirements. The Commission, as 
part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens and pursuant 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, invites the 
general public and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to comment 
on these information collection requirements. In addition, pursuant to 
the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, 
see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), the Commission seeks specific comment on how 
it might further reduce the information collection burden for small 
business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
    Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act: Consistent with 
the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act, Public Law 118-
9, a summary of this document will be available on: https://www.fcc.gov/proposed-rulemakings.

Synopsis

Background

    1. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) adopted on December 1, 
2020, and published on January 11, 2021, at 86 FR 1909, the Commission 
sought public comment on a proposal by GeoBroadcast Solutions, LLC 
(GBS) to allow a new use for FM booster stations. FM boosters are low 
power, secondary stations that operate in the FM broadcast band. They 
must operate on the same frequency as the primary station, and have 
been limited to rebroadcasting the primary station's signal in its 
entirety (i.e., no transmission of original content). Historically, the 
sole use of FM boosters has been to improve signal strength of primary 
FM stations in areas where reception is poor due to terrain or distance 
from the transmitter. GBS developed technology designed to allow 
licensees of primary FM and LPFM broadcast stations to geographically 
target a portion of their programming by using FM boosters to originate 
different content for different parts of their service areas. Stations 
might, for example, use the technology to air hyper-local news and 
weather reports most relevant to a particular community. Stations also 
might air advertisements or underwriting acknowledgements from 
businesses that wish or can only afford to focus their reach on small 
geographic areas, thereby enhancing the stations' ability to compete 
for local support. Such program origination over boosters cannot be 
accomplished on a permanent basis under existing rules.
    2. Upon consideration of comments both supporting and opposing the 
GBS proposal, the Commission concluded that program originating 
boosters would serve the public interest if properly engineered and 
subject to various safeguards. In the concurrently adopted R&O, the 
Commission authorizes program originating boosters in the near term 
under part 5 of the rules (47 CFR 5.1 to 5.602), which pertains to 
experimental use of new technologies. FM and LPFM broadcasters will 
have the flexibility to use FM boosters to originate geographically 
targeted programming on a voluntary basis for

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up to three minutes per hour. However, the R&O notes that permanent use 
of program originating boosters cannot commence until the Commission 
adopts additional rule changes and establishes details for implementing 
safeguards to address concerns raised in the record. Accordingly, the 
Commission has adopted the FNPRM, which proposes and seeks comments on 
such rule changes and asks additional related questions.

Program Origination Notification

    3. To address concerns in the comments about the potential impact 
of program originating boosters on existing FM service, the R&O 
concludes that it is imperative for the Commission to adopt a 
notification requirement for program originating boosters. This would 
enable the Media Bureau to keep track of which stations are using 
boosters to originate content and to respond to any complaints that may 
arise. The FNPRM proposes to require broadcasters originating 
programming on a booster to file a notification 15 days prior to 
commencing origination. The proposed rule would also require 
broadcasters that permanently discontinue originating programming on a 
booster to file a notification within 30 days after termination. The 
Commission seeks comment on this proposal and the proposed text of 47 
CFR 74.1206 set out in appendix C of the FNPRM. Would the information 
collected in the proposed FM Booster Notification constitute ``data 
assets'' for purposes of the OPEN Government Data Act, Public Law 115-
435 (2019)? If so, would the collected information constitute ``public 
data assets'' as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502 (22)? Is there any reason 
the Commission should not make such information publicly available?

Section 74.1204(f)

    4. Section 74.1204(f) of the rules (47 CFR 74.1204(f)) addresses 
claims of predicted interference outside a protected station's contour 
when a translator station construction permit application is pending. 
Unlike the actual interference rule in Sec.  74.1203, which addresses 
both translator and booster stations, the predicted interference rule 
in Sec.  74.1204(f) addresses only translator stations. The FNPRM seeks 
comment on whether to modify Sec.  74.1204(f) to include a mechanism to 
address predicted interference while booster construction permit 
applications remain pending. The Commission believes this will help 
ensure that broadcasters do not invest in developing booster stations 
that will cause interference that must be resolved under Sec.  74.1203 
once the booster commences broadcasts. It also proposes to apply this 
new mechanism to any booster applications that are pending at the time 
the modifications to Sec.  74.1204 are adopted. The Commission seeks 
comment on these proposals.

Synchronization

    5. The FNPRM seeks comment on whether the Commission should adopt a 
requirement that broadcasters synchronize their primary station and 
booster signals to reduce and eliminate self-interference. GBS's 
engineering consultant emphasized in the comments that synchronization 
is critical to successful booster implementation. One commenter, 
Anderson, emphasizes the importance for any booster system, but 
particularly those in a program originating system, to be synchronized 
in carrier frequency, pilot phase, and audio frames for analog FM. In 
the R&O, the Commission concluded that broadcasters have strong 
economic incentives to avoid self-interference to their primary 
station's signal. In light of that conclusion, it believes broadcasters 
deploying program originating boosters will employ a technology that 
uses synchronization. Is there any need to adopt a separate 
synchronization requirement as an additional safeguard? If the 
Commission were to adopt a synchronization requirement, what level of 
synchronization would be appropriate? Should the Commission adopt any 
standards with regard to synchronizing any or all of the elements 
discussed by Anderson? Would stations require new or specialized 
equipment to maintain proper synchronization or is that a routine part 
of existing booster station operations? Do station signals change 
enough to require constant monitoring and recalibration and if so, how 
does this affect our ability to develop and apply a standard? Or would 
a synchronization requirement impose an unnecessary burden on booster 
station operations? The Commission seeks comment on these questions.

Notification to Emergency Alert System (EAS) Participants

    6. The R&O requires program originating boosters to receive and 
broadcast all emergency alerts in the same manner as their primary 
station, and codifies this requirement by amending 47 CFR 11.11 to 
explicitly make all EAS requirements that are applicable to full-
service AM and FM stations and LPFM stations equally applicable to 
program originating FM boosters. In its comments, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) recommended a requirement that FM primary 
stations implementing program originating boosters must notify all EAS 
participants monitoring that primary station of the booster's program 
origination. The Commission seeks comment on this proposal. Does the 
Commission's proposal to require all program originating boosters to 
broadcast emergency alerts negate the need for this FEMA proposal?
    7. As stated in the R&O, the Commission believes its requirement 
that program originating boosters broadcast all emergency alerts will 
ensure no disruptions to the EAS, but the Commission will monitor the 
rollout of program originating boosters to ensure they do not cause 
interruptions to the EAS. Should the Commission adopt any requirement 
for broadcasters using program originating boosters to report EAS-
related problems or interference to the Commission? What would be the 
best means for broadcasters to provide this information to the 
Commission? Should it require that licensees also submit this 
information to FEMA?

Part 74 Licensing Issues

    8. The Commission proposes to clarify certain operational issues 
for program originating boosters. The FNPRM proposes to reorganize and 
clarify 47 CFR 74.1231 by changing the current Note to a new paragraph 
(j), which clarifies grandfathered superpowered FM stations will be 
able to implement booster stations only within the standard (i.e., non-
superpowered) maximum contour for their class of station. We believe 
this helps to minimize interference risks by further isolating program 
originating boosters from adjacent FM broadcast stations. Also, the 
FNPRM proposes to add a new paragraph (k) that requires booster 
stations to suspend operations any time their primary stations are not 
broadcasting and to file notices of suspended operations pursuant to 
Sec.  73.1740 of the rules (47 CFR 73.1740). This change codifies more 
explicitly existing requirements. Finally, the Commission proposes to 
modify 47 CFR 74.1232 to clarify that a booster station may not 
broadcast programming that is not permitted by its FM primary station's 
authorization. This will ensure that program originating boosters are 
not used in a manner that is inconsistent with the primary station. The 
Commission seeks comment on the proposed rule changes. The FNPRM also 
takes this opportunity to remind broadcasters that licensees of 
noncommercial FM stations may not use

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booster stations for commercial broadcasts.

Cap on Program Originating FM Boosters and Other LCRA Issues

    9. The FNPRM proposes to amend 47 CFR 74.1232(g) to limit full-
service FM stations to 25 program originating booster stations. This 
cap on the number of program originating FM booster stations would 
represent a change from the current rule, which imposes no numerical 
limit on FM booster stations. The Commission is bound by Section 5 of 
the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, Public Law 111-371 (LCRA), to 
ensure when licensing new FM booster stations that ``licenses are 
available'' to FM translators and LPFM stations. The ability of other 
secondary service applicants to locate within an existing full-service 
FM station's service contour is ordinarily constrained by the full-
service FM primary station itself. Despite this, the Commission does 
not yet know the extent of demand for program originating FM booster 
stations, nor the impact that potentially large numbers of such 
stations in a market could have on spectrum availability on adjacent 
channels where new FM translators and LPFM stations might conceivably 
wish to locate. Accordingly, it concludes in the R&O that a limit on 
the number of program originating boosters a station can operate may be 
needed to ensure that an increase in booster stations resulting from 
the decision to authorize program originating boosters is consistent 
with the LCRA.
    10. The R&O notes that some commenters have expressed concern about 
the effect of additional boosters on the FM noise floor. Would a 
program originating FM booster cap address such concerns? The 
Commission tentatively concludes that a limit of 25 program originating 
boosters per full-service FM primary station is a reasonable 
compromise. In seeking comment on this number, the Commission also 
notes that imposing an artificially low number of program originating 
boosters could make it harder for licensees to design and deploy 
boosters in a way that minimizes the risks of interference. It does not 
propose an overall per market limit. The Commission seeks comment on 
these tentative conclusions as well as any alternative number for the 
cap. GBS studies evaluated geotargeting deployments with up to nine 
boosters. Thus, the Commission tentatively concludes that a 25 program 
originating booster station cap should not impose an undue burden on 
the rollout of this technology while at the same time ensuring 
consistency with the LCRA. It also seeks input on any alternatives. The 
Commission asks that any alternative proposals be accompanied by 
detailed justifications, as well as a discussion of the effect any 
alternative program originating booster cap or alternative approach to 
limiting program originating boosters might have on other stations, 
both full-service and secondary, and on the local FM noise floor 
generally.
    11. The FNPRM also seeks comment on whether there are other 
requirements needed to ensure compliance with the LCRA. The R&O 
concluded that authorization of program originating boosters is 
consistent with the LCRA. However, the FNPRM seeks input on any 
remaining concerns about compliance with the LCRA. Currently, LPFM 
stations are permitted to originate programming 100 percent of the 
time, while FM translators and boosters do not originate programming. 
What difference, if any, does allowing some FM boosters to originate 
programming for five percent of each broadcast hour make to the 
relative status of the secondary services? The Commission seeks comment 
on these matters.
    12. Additionally, in discussing any proposed LCRA-based 
requirements in licensing program originating FM booster stations, the 
Commission asks commenters specifically to enumerate the costs and 
benefits of their proposals or any alternatives set forth by 
commenters. This should include the costs of preparing any proposed 
application showings, or of licensing an FM booster in such a manner as 
to comply with the LCRA. Commenters should also quantify projected 
costs and benefits, identify supporting evidence and any underlying 
assumptions, and explain any difficulties faced in trying to quantify 
benefits and costs of the proposals and how the Commission might 
nonetheless evaluate them.

Political Broadcasting and Advertising

    13. If program originating boosters are widely adopted, candidates 
and issue advertisers may seek to use program originating booster 
stations to target their message to particular subsets of a market, 
which has political broadcasting and recordkeeping implications. As an 
initial matter, the Commission tentatively concludes that, to the 
extent an FM booster station originates programming, it should be 
subject to the full array of political programming requirements that 
are applicable to full power broadcast stations. These obligations 
ensure that candidates for elective office have access to broadcast 
facilities and certain other media platforms and foster transparency 
about entities sponsoring advertisements. The FNPRM therefore proposes 
to adopt a new provision (47 CFR 74.1290) to make all political 
programming requirements applicable to program originating FM booster 
stations. It also proposes to require broadcasters originating 
programming on a booster to maintain a political file for the booster 
in the same political file as the booster's primary station. Thus, the 
Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR 73.3526 (online public inspection 
file of commercial stations) and 47 CFR 73.3527 (online public 
inspection file of noncommercial educational stations) to appropriately 
reflect the obligation of licensees of program originating FM booster 
stations to maintain an online political file for each such station. 
LPFM stations operating program originating boosters will need to 
maintain a physical political file consistent with existing 
requirements. The FNPRM invites comment on this proposal.
    14. Political Files. Applying the full array of political 
programming requirements to program originating FM booster stations 
raises several additional issues on which the FNPRM seeks comment. 
First, it asks how licensees should comply with the political file 
requirements in 47 CFR 73.1943 and 47 U.S.C. 315(e) for program 
originating booster stations. For example, these sections require 
commercial licensees to maintain online political files for requests 
for the purchase of broadcast time by or on behalf of all legally 
qualified candidates for public office and by or on behalf of issues 
advertisers whose ads communicate a message relating to any political 
matter of national importance. The requirement applies to both full 
service noncommercial stations and LPFM stations to the extent that 
they make time available without charge for use by a candidate. What is 
the best location for records of such commercial and noncommercial use 
of broadcast time on a program originating booster station? The FNPRM 
notes that booster stations are not required to maintain a public file. 
Should records of political use of broadcast time on a program 
originating booster station be commingled with records of requests for 
the use of broadcast time on the licensee's primary station so long as 
they are appropriately labeled to identify the station on which the use 
was made? Alternatively, should licensees be required to create a 
political file subfolder for each of its booster stations into which it 
would place records of requests for the purchase or free use of 
broadcast time?
    15. Would candidates and members of the public know that a 
political message

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that they have heard originated on a booster station (as opposed to the 
licensee's primary station) and know where to locate records of the 
message in the station's political file? How should LPFM stations, 
which are not currently required to have an online public inspection 
file, keep publicly available records of political use of their program 
originating boosters? For example, should they keep a physical file for 
the booster with the LPFM station's files consistent with requirements 
for political use of the LPFM station? The Commission invites comment 
on all of these questions and any additional issues that follow from 
requiring licensees to maintain records of requests for the purchase of 
political time and of time made available without charge for use by a 
candidate on their program originating booster stations.
    16. Equal Opportunities. Targeted advertising also raises questions 
about how licensees should comply with obligations related to equal 
opportunities. Under 47 CFR 73.1941 and 47 U.S.C. 315(a), if a licensee 
permits a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use its 
station, it must, with some exceptions, permit all other legally 
qualified candidates for the same office to also use its station. 
Should candidates who are requesting equal opportunities in response to 
an advertisement or noncommercial announcement that was broadcast on a 
particular program originating booster station be entitled to use only 
that booster station, essentially treating individual booster stations 
and a licensee's primary station as separate facilities for equal 
opportunities purposes?
    17. Reasonable Access. Similar questions arise with respect to how 
licensees should entertain requests for reasonable access by Federal 
candidates on program originating booster stations. Under 47 CFR 
73.1944 and 47 U.S.C. 312(a)(7), commercial broadcast stations must 
permit candidates for Federal office to purchase reasonable amounts of 
advertising time. In determining what is ``reasonable'' for reasonable 
access purposes, should licensees treat their program originating 
booster and primary stations as separate facilities? For example, 
should the amount of time that a Federal candidate has purchased on a 
licensee's primary station affect the amount of time to which the same 
candidate is entitled to purchase on one of the licensee's program 
originating booster stations, and vice versa?
    18. Candidate Rates. Program originating booster stations raise 
additional questions about how licensees should apply candidate rates. 
Pursuant to 47 CFR 73.1942 and 47 U.S.C 315(b), during the 45-day 
period preceding a primary or primary run-off election, and the 60 day 
period preceding a general or special election, stations must charge 
candidates in connection with their campaigns no more than the 
station's lowest unit charge for the same class and amount of time 
during the same period. In determining lowest unit charges, should 
licensees treat their program originating booster stations and primary 
stations as separate facilities? Is it reasonable to expect that the 
lowest unit rates on a licensee's program originating booster station 
would be different from the lowest unit rates on its primary station?

Licensing Issues

    19. The FNPRM also seeks comment on whether to require vendors of 
program originating technology and patent owners in program originating 
technology to abide by the Commission's patent policy or any other 
guidelines common to open standards, which require that licenses be 
available to all parties on fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory 
terms. Would such a step be necessary or an appropriate exercise of 
Commission authority in light of the fact that the Report and Order 
does not endorse a particular technical approach? Parties suggesting 
that we do consider any requirements should provide detailed 
information, including how long such requirements should last and our 
authority to adopt such requirements.

Other Safeguards

    20. Are there any other non-technical safeguards on program 
originating boosters that might be useful? For example, two members of 
Congress who support geo-targeted content, nevertheless suggest that 
the Commission should consider requiring licensees of program 
originating boosters to certify that they are being responsive to needs 
and issues of their service areas, especially minority communities. 
This appears to be a response to concerns of a non-technical nature, 
such as the potential for redlining by advertisers or licensees. 
Although the Commission finds no current evidence of factors to cause 
redlining, it seeks comment on whether a safeguard in the form of a 
reporting condition might generally be useful to address non-technical 
concerns. If so, what information should licensees certify to, and how 
often?

Digital Equity and Inclusion

    21. The Commission, as part of its continuing effort to advance 
digital equity for all, including people of color, persons with 
disabilities, persons who live in rural or Tribal areas, and others who 
are or have been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely 
affected by persistent poverty or inequality, invites comment on any 
equity-related considerations and benefits (if any) that may be 
associated with the proposals and issues discussed herein. 
Specifically, it seeks comment on how the FNPRM's proposals may promote 
or inhibit advances in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, 
as well the scope of the Commission's relevant legal authority.
    22. The Commission will send a copy of the FNPRM including the 
IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. A copy of this 
FNPRM and IRFA (or summaries thereof) will also be published in the 
Federal Register.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

    23. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as 
amended (RFA), the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) has 
prepared this Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis (IRFA) of the 
possible significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities by the policies and rules proposed in the FNPRM. Written 
public comments are requested on this IRFA. Comments must be identified 
as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the deadlines for 
comments specified in the DATES section of this FNPRM. The Commission 
will send a copy of the FNPRM, including this IRFA, to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA). In 
addition, the FNPRM and IRFA (or summaries thereof) will be published 
in the Federal Register.

A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rules

    24. The FNPRM seeks further comment on processing, licensing, and 
service rules for program originating FM booster stations, or program 
originating boosters, which provide targeted programming to specific 
areas within their primary FM stations' service areas. Through the 
FNPRM, the Commission sets out a number of proposed changes to the 
rules, detailed in Appendix C, and seeks comment on these proposed rule 
changes.
    25. In the FNPRM, the Commission proposes to retain the requirement 
that a booster station may cause only limited interference to its 
primary station's signal, but also proposes to eliminate the current 
rule provision barring any interference to the primary station's

[[Page 26851]]

signal within the boundaries of the community of license. Additionally, 
the Commission proposes a notification requirement in which licensees 
of authorized booster stations will be required to file a notification 
of their intention to originate programming rather than implementing a 
separate application process for boosters that originate programming 
that could introduce greater delay for broadcasters seeking to operate 
such booster stations. The Commission also asks whether it should 
codify technical specifications for synchronization of the program 
originating booster's signal with that of the FM primary station, as 
well as whether imposing such a requirement would be an unnecessary 
burden on broadcasters.
    26. In the Report and Order, we required program originating 
boosters to receive and broadcast all emergency alerts in the same 
manner as their primary station, by codifying this requirement through 
an amendment of Sec.  11.11 of the rules (47 CFR 11.11). The FNPRM 
seeks comment regarding whether any additional requirements will be 
needed regarding the interaction of program originating boosters and 
the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
    27. Additionally, the Commission proposes to add a new section to 
the rules (47 CFR 74.1206) requiring that a program originating booster 
formally notify the Commission through the Media Bureau's Licensing and 
Management System (LMS) of the commencement and suspension of 
operations. Other proposed rule additions and amendments include a 
requirement that a program originating booster suspend operations when 
its FM primary station suspends operations, and to so notify the 
Commission. The FNPRM also proposes that the programming originated by 
an FM booster station must conform to that broadcast by the FM primary 
station, e.g., a booster re-transmitting a noncommercial educational 
(NCE) FM station may also only broadcast NCE content. The FNPRM also 
seeks comment on whether information collected in the proposed FM 
Booster Notification constitutes ``data assets'' for purposes of the 
OPEN Government Data Act and, if so, whether the collected information 
constitutes ``public data assets.''
    28. The Commission further proposes to amend 47 CFR 74.1232(g) to 
limit each full-service FM station to using up to 25 FM booster 
stations. This cap represents a change from the current rule, which 
imposes no numerical limit on FM booster stations. This proposal is 
based on the decision in the Report and Order that a limit on the 
number of boosters a station can operate is needed to ensure that an 
increase in booster stations resulting from our decision to authorize 
program originating boosters is consistent with the Local Community 
Radio Act of 2010 (LCRA).
    29. The FNPRM also addresses issues regarding political 
broadcasting. To the extent that political advertising may be broadcast 
over a program originating booster, the Commission proposes that such a 
booster station must follow all of the Commission's political 
broadcasting rules. These would include rules requiring the maintenance 
of an online political file, provision of equal opportunity and 
reasonable access to political candidates, and limiting the rates 
charged to political candidates for airtime. Finally, the FNPRM also 
asks whether vendors of these technologies should abide by the 
Commission's patent policy or any other guidelines common to open 
standards, which require that licenses be available to all parties on 
fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory terms.

B. Legal Basis

    30. The proposed action is authorized pursuant to sections 1, 2, 
4(i), 7, 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 316, 319, 324, and 403 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 157, 301, 
302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 316, 319, 324, and 403.

C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities To Which 
the Proposed Rules Will Apply

    31. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where 
feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be 
affected by the proposed rules, if adopted. The RFA generally defines 
the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms 
``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental 
jurisdiction.'' In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same 
meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small Business 
Act (SBA). A ``small business concern'' is one which: (1) is 
independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of 
operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the 
SBA.
    32. Small Businesses, Small Organizations, Small Governmental 
Jurisdictions. Our actions, over time, may affect small entities that 
are not easily categorized at present. We therefore, describe three 
broad groups of small entities that could be directly affected herein. 
First, while there are industry specific size standards for small 
businesses that are used in the regulatory flexibility analysis, 
according to data from the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office 
of Advocacy, in general a small business is an independent business 
having fewer than 500 employees. These types of small businesses 
represent 99.9% of all businesses in the United States, which 
translates to 33.2 million businesses.
    33. Next, the type of small entity described as a ``small 
organization'' is generally ``any not-for-profit enterprise which is 
independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field.'' 
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses a revenue benchmark of $50,000 
or less to delineate its annual electronic filing requirements for 
small exempt organizations. Nationwide, for tax year 2020, there were 
approximately 447,689 small exempt organizations in the U.S. reporting 
revenues of $50,000 or less according to the registration and tax data 
for exempt organizations available from the IRS.
    34. Finally, the small entity described as a ``small governmental 
jurisdiction'' is defined generally as ``governments of cities, 
counties, towns, townships, villages, school districts, or special 
districts, with a population of less than fifty thousand.'' U.S. Census 
Bureau data from the 2017 Census of Governments indicate there were 
90,075 local governmental jurisdictions consisting of general purpose 
governments and special purpose governments in the United States. Of 
this number, there were 36,931 general purpose governments (county, 
municipal, and town or township) with populations of less than 50,000 
and 12,040 special purpose governments--independent school districts 
with enrollment populations of less than 50,000. Accordingly, based on 
the 2017 U.S. Census of Governments data, we estimate that at least 
48,971 entities fall into the category of ``small governmental 
jurisdictions.''
    35. Radio Stations. This industry is comprised of ``establishments 
primarily engaged in broadcasting aural programs by radio to the 
public.'' Programming may originate in their own studio, from an 
affiliated network, or from external sources. The SBA small business 
size standard for this industry classifies firms having $41.5 million 
or less in annual receipts as small. U.S. Census Bureau data for 2017 
show that 2,963 firms operated in this industry during that year. Of 
this number, 1,879 firms operated with revenue of less than $25 million 
per year. Based on this data and the SBA's small business size 
standard, we estimate a majority of such entities are small entities.

[[Page 26852]]

    36. The Commission estimates that as of September 30, 2023, there 
were 4,452 licensed commercial AM radio stations and 6,670 licensed 
commercial FM radio stations, for a combined total of 11,122 commercial 
radio stations. Of this total, 11,120 stations (or 99.98%) had revenues 
of $41.5 million or less in 2022, according to Commission staff review 
of the BIA Kelsey Inc. Media Access Pro Database (BIA) on October 4, 
2023, and therefore these licensees qualify as small entities under the 
SBA definition. In addition, the Commission estimates that as of 
September 30, 2023, there were 4,263 licensed noncommercial (NCE) FM 
radio stations, 1,978 low power FM (LPFM) stations, and 8,928 FM 
translators and boosters. The Commission however does not compile, and 
otherwise does not have access to financial information for these radio 
stations that would permit it to determine how many of these stations 
qualify as small entities under the SBA small business size standard. 
Nevertheless, given the SBA's large annual receipts threshold for this 
industry and the nature of radio station licensees, we presume all of 
these entities qualify as small entities under the above SBA small 
business size standard.
    37. We note, however, that in assessing whether a business concern 
qualifies as ``small'' under the above definition, business (control) 
affiliations must be included. Our estimate, therefore, likely 
overstates the number of small entities that might be affected by our 
action, because the revenue figure on which it is based does not 
include or aggregate revenues from affiliated companies. In addition, 
another element of the definition of ``small business'' requires that 
an entity not be dominant in its field of operation. We are unable at 
this time to define or quantify the criteria that would establish 
whether a specific radio or television broadcast station is dominant in 
its field of operation. Accordingly, the estimate of small businesses 
to which the rules may apply does not exclude any radio or television 
station from the definition of a small business on this basis and is 
therefore possibly over-inclusive. An additional element of the 
definition of ``small business'' is that the entity must be 
independently owned and operated. Because it is difficult to assess 
these criteria in the context of media entities, the estimate of small 
businesses to which the rules may apply does not exclude any radio or 
television station from the definition of a small business on this 
basis and similarly may be over-inclusive.

D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements for Small Entities

    38. The FNPRM proposes modified reporting requirements that, if 
adopted, may impact compliance requirements for small entities. The 
Commission seeks comment on whether FM licensees and permittees 
employing program originating boosters should provide notice through 
the Licensing and Management System (LMS) prior to commencing program 
origination, and whether it should similarly provide LMS notice when 
suspending operations. Should the Commission ultimately decide to adopt 
these requirements, they would likely result in a modified paperwork 
obligation for small and other entities. The Commission will have to 
consider the benefits and costs of allowing program originating booster 
licensees to submit certain notifications in LMS. If adopted, the 
Commission will seek approval of and submit the corresponding burden 
estimates to account for this modified reporting requirement. 
Additionally, small entities may determine they will need to hire 
professionals to comply with the rule changes proposed in the FNPRM, if 
adopted. We expect the comments we receive from the parties in the 
proceeding, including cost and benefit analyses, will help the 
Commission to identify and evaluate compliance costs and burdens for 
small businesses that may result from the proposed rules and additional 
matters discussed in the FNPRM.

E. Steps Taken To Minimize the Significant Economic Impact on Small 
Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered

    39. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant 
alternatives, specifically for small businesses, that it has considered 
in reaching its proposed approach, which may include the following four 
alternatives (among others): ``(1) the establishment of differing 
compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into 
account the resources available to small entities; (2) the 
clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or 
reporting requirements under the rule for such small entities; (3) the 
use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an exemption 
from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for such small 
entities.''
    40. The Commission has sought to minimize the economic impact on 
small entities, as well as consider significant alternatives and weigh 
their potential impact to those entities. In the FNPRM, we take the 
step of proposing to modify rules to facilitate limited program 
origination by FM booster stations.
    41. In addition, the FNPRM seeks to avoid imposing additional 
burdens on small radio stations where practicable. For example, the 
FNPRM proposes to add a new Sec.  74.1206 to the rules, which would 
prescribe LMS notification of the commencement or suspension of program 
originating booster service. The majority of Commission notifications 
in the media services are delivered through LMS, which is less 
burdensome than requiring separate mail or electronic mail 
notification. Further, our proposed rule also simplifies notification 
and certification requirements for broadcasters that permanently 
discontinue originating programming on a booster to file a notification 
of termination within 30 days. We believe that unlike other 
alternatives for compliance, this approach will provide adequate notice 
to the Commission while minimizing the regulatory burden for broadcast 
stations.
    42. At this time, the Commission does not have supporting data to 
determine if there will or will not be an economic impact on small 
businesses as a result of the proposed rule amendments and/or 
additions. To assist in the Commission's evaluation of the economic 
impact on small entities, as a result of actions that have been 
proposed in the FNPRM, and to better explore options and alternatives, 
the Commission has sought comment from the parties. In particular, the 
Commission seeks comment on whether any of the burdens associated with 
the filing, recordkeeping and reporting requirements described above 
can be minimized for small entities. Additionally, the Commission seeks 
comment on whether any potential costs associated with our FM Booster 
Station requirements can be alleviated for small entities. The 
Commission expects to more fully consider the economic impact and 
alternatives for small entities following the review of comments filed 
in response to the FNPRM.

F. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the 
Proposed Rule

    43. None.

Ordering Clauses

    44. It is further ordered that, pursuant to sections 1, 2, 4(i), 7, 
301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 316, 319, 324, and 403 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 157, 301, 
302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 316, 319, 324,

[[Page 26853]]

and 403, the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making is adopted.
    44. It is further ordered that, pursuant to applicable procedures 
set forth in Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 
CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on the further 
notice of proposed rulemaking in MB Docket No. 20-401 on or before 
thirty (30) days after publication in the Federal Register and reply 
comments on or before sixty (60) days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 and 74

    Communications equipment, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR parts 73 and 74 as 
follows:

PART 73--RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 301, 303, 307, 309, 310, 334, 
336, 339.

0
2. Revise Sec.  73.801 to read as follows:


Sec.  73.801  Broadcast regulations applicable to LPFM stations.

    The following rules are applicable to LPFM stations:
    (a) Part 11--Emergency Alert System (EAS).
    (1) Section 11.11 The Emergency Alert System (EAS).
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Part 73--Radio Broadcast Services.
    (1) Section 73.201 Numerical definition of FM broadcast channels.
    (2) Section 73.220 Restrictions on use of channels.
    (3) Section 73.267 Determining operating power.
    (4) Section 73.277 Permissible transmissions.
    (5) Section 73.297 FM stereophonic sound broadcasting.
    (6) Section 73.310 FM technical definitions.
    (7) Section 73.312 Topographic data.
    (8) Section 73.318 FM blanketing interference.
    (9) Section 73.322 FM stereophonic sound transmission standards.
    (10) Section 73.333 Engineering charts.
    (11) Section 73.503 Licensing requirements and service.
    (12) Section 73.508 Standards of good engineering practice.
    (13) Section 73.593 Subsidiary communications services.
    (14) Section 73.1015 Truthful written statements and responses to 
Commission inquiries and correspondence.
    (15) Section 73.1030 Notifications concerning interference to radio 
astronomy, research and receiving installations.
    (16) Section 73.1201 Station identification.
    (17) Section 73.1206 Broadcast of telephone conversations.
    (18) Section 73.1207 Rebroadcasts.
    (19) Section 73.1208 Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded 
material.
    (20) Section 73.1210 TV/FM dual-language broadcasting in Puerto 
Rico.
    (21) Section 73.1211 Broadcast of lottery information.
    (22) Section 73.1212 Sponsorship identification; list retention; 
related requirements.
    (23) Section 73.1213 Antenna structure, marking and lighting.
    (24) Section 73.1216 Licensee-conducted contests.
    (25) Section 73.1217 Broadcast hoaxes.
    (26) Section 73.1250 Broadcasting emergency information.
    (27) Section 73.1300 Unattended station operation.
    (28) Section 73.1400 Transmission system monitoring and control.
    (29) Section 73.1520 Operation for tests and maintenance.
    (30) Section 73.1540 Carrier frequency measurements.
    (31) Section 73.1545 Carrier frequency departure tolerances.
    (32) Section 73.1570 Modulation levels: AM, FM, and TV aural.
    (33) Section 73.1580 Transmission system inspections.
    (34) Section 73.1610 Equipment tests.
    (35) Section 73.1620 Program tests.
    (36) Section 73.1650 International agreements.
    (37) Section 73.1660 Acceptability of broadcast transmitters.
    (38) Section 73.1665 Main transmitters.
    (39) Section 73.1692 Broadcast station construction near or 
installation on an AM broadcast tower.
    (40) Section 73.1745 Unauthorized operation.
    (41) Section 73.1750 Discontinuance of operation.
    (42) Section 73.1920 Personal attacks.
    (43) Section 73.1940 Legally qualified candidates for public 
office.
    (44) Section 73.1941 Equal opportunities.
    (45) Section 73.1943 Political file.
    (46) Section 73.1944 Reasonable access.
    (47) Section 73.3511 Applications required.
    (48) Section 73.3512 Where to file; number of copies.
    (49) Section 73.3513 Signing of applications.
    (50) Section 73.3514 Content of applications.
    (51) Section 73.3516 Specification of facilities.
    (52) Section 73.3517 Contingent applications.
    (53) Section 73.3518 Inconsistent or conflicting applications.
    (54) Section 73.3519 Repetitious applications.
    (55) Section 73.3520 Multiple applications.
    (56) Section 73.3525 Agreements for removing application conflicts.
    (57) Section 73.3539 Application for renewal of license.
    (58) Section 73.3542 Application for emergency authorization.
    (59) Section 73.3545 Application for permit to deliver programs to 
foreign stations.
    (60) Section 73.3550 Requests for new or modified call sign 
assignments.
    (61) Section 73.3561 Staff consideration of applications requiring 
Commission consideration.
    (62) Section 73.3562 Staff consideration of applications not 
requiring action by the Commission.
    (63) Section 73.3566 Defective applications.
    (64) Section 73.3568 Dismissal of applications.
    (65) Section 73.3580 Local public notice of filing of broadcast 
applications.
    (66) Section 73.3584 Procedure for filing petitions to deny.
    (67) Section 73.3587 Procedure for filing informal objections.
    (68) Section 73.3588 Dismissal of petitions to deny or withdrawal 
of informal objections.
    (69) Section 73.3589 Threats to file petitions to deny or informal 
objections.
    (70) Section 73.3591 Grants without hearing.
    (71) Section 73.3593 Designation for hearing.
    (72) Section 73.3598 Period of construction.
    (73) Section 73.3599 Forfeiture of construction permit.
    (74) Section 73.3999 Enforcement of 18 U.S.C. 1464 (restrictions on 
the transmission of obscene and indecent material).
    (c) Part 74--Experimental Radio, Auxiliary, Special Broadcast and 
Other Program Distributional Services.
    (1) Section 74.1201 Definitions.
    (2) Section 74.1203 Interference.
    (3) Section 74.1206 Program originating FM booster station 
notifications.

[[Page 26854]]

    (4) Section 74.1231 Purpose and permissible service.
    (5) Section 74.1232 Eligibility and licensing requirements.
    (6) Section 74.1290 Political programming rules applicable to 
program originating FM booster stations.
0
3. Amend Sec.  73.3526 by adding paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.3526   Online public inspection file of commercial stations.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Every permittee or licensee of a program originating FM booster 
station, as defined in Sec.  74.1201(f)(2) of this chapter, shall 
maintain in the political file of its primary station the records 
required in Sec.  73.1943 of this part for each such program 
originating FM booster station.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  73.3527 by adding paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  73.3527  Online public inspection file of noncommercial 
educational stations.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Every permittee or licensee of a program originating FM booster 
station, as defined in Sec.  74.1201(f)(2) of this chapter, in the 
noncommercial educational broadcast service shall maintain in the 
political file of its primary station the records required in Sec.  
73.1943 of this part for each such program originating FM booster 
station.
* * * * *

PART 74--EXPERIMENTAL RADIO, AUXILIARY, SPECIAL BROADCAST AND OTHER 
PROGRAM DISTRIBUTIONAL SERVICES

0
5. The authority citation for part 74 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 307, 309, 310, 325, 336, 
and 554.

0
6. Amend Sec.  74.1204 by
0
a. Removing the Note to paragraph (a)(4);
0
b. Adding paragraph (a)(5); and
0
c. Revising paragraphs (f) and (i).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  74.1204   Protection of FM broadcast, FM Translator and LP100 
stations.

    (a) * * *
    (5) For the purposes of determining overlap pursuant to this 
paragraph, LP100 stations, LPFM applications, and LPFM permits that 
have not yet been licensed must be considered as operating with the 
maximum permitted facilities. All LPFM TIS stations must be protected 
on the basis of a nondirectional antenna.
* * * * *
    (f)(1) An application for an FM translator station will not be 
granted even though the proposed operation would not involve overlap of 
field strength contours with any other station, as set forth in 
paragraph (a) of this section, if grant of the authorization will 
result in interference to the reception of a regularly used, off-the-
air signal of any authorized co-channel, first, second or third 
adjacent channel broadcast station, including previously authorized 
secondary service stations within the 45 dB[micro] field strength 
contour of the desired station.
    (2) An application for an FM broadcast booster station will not be 
granted even though the proposed operation would not involve overlap of 
field strength contours with any other station, as set forth in 
paragraph (i) of this section, if grant of the authorization will 
result in interference to the reception of a regularly used, off-the-
air signal of any authorized co-channel, first, second or third 
adjacent channel broadcast station, other than the booster's primary 
station, but including previously authorized secondary service stations 
within the 45 dB[micro] field strength contour of the desired station.
    (3) Interference, with regard to either an FM translator station or 
an FM broadcast booster station application, is demonstrated by:
    (i) The required minimum number of valid listener complaints as 
determined using Table 1 to Sec.  74.1203(a)(3) of this part and 
defined in Sec.  74.1201(k) of this part;
    (ii) A map plotting the specific location of the alleged 
interference in relation to the complaining station's 45 dB[micro] 
contour;
    (iii) A statement that the complaining station is operating within 
its licensed parameters;
    (iv) A statement that the complaining station licensee has used 
commercially reasonable efforts to inform the relevant translator or 
booster licensee of the claimed interference and attempted private 
resolution; and
    (v) U/D data demonstrating that at each listener location the 
undesired to desired signal strength exceeds -20 dB for co-channel 
situations, -6 dB for first-adjacent channel situations or 40 dB for 
second- or third-adjacent channel situations, calculated using the 
methodology set out in paragraph (b) of this section.
* * * * *
    (i) FM broadcast booster stations shall be subject to the 
requirement that the signal of any first adjacent channel station must 
exceed the signal of the booster station by 6 dB at all points within 
the protected contour of any first adjacent channel station, except 
that in the case of FM stations on adjacent channels at spacings that 
do not meet the minimum distance separations specified in Sec.  73.207 
of this chapter, the signal of any first adjacent channel station must 
exceed the signal of the booster by 6 dB at any point within the 
predicted interference free contour of the adjacent channel station.
* * * * *
0
7. Add Sec.  74.1206 to read as follows:


Sec.  74.1206   Program originating FM booster station notifications.

    (a) A program originating FM booster station must electronically 
file an FM Booster Program Origination Notification with the Commission 
in LMS, before commencing or after terminating the broadcast of 
booster-originated content subject to the provisions of Sec.  
74.1201(f)(2) of this part. Such a notification must be filed within 15 
days before commencing origination, or within 30 days after terminating 
origination.
    (b) Every FM Booster Program Origination Notification must include 
the following information in machine-readable format:
    (1) The call sign and facility identification number of the program 
originating FM booster station;
    (2) If applicable, the date on which the program originating FM 
booster station will commence or has terminated originating content;
    (3) The name and telephone number of a technical representative the 
Commission or the public can contact in the event of interference;
    (4) A certification that the program originating FM booster station 
complies with all Emergency Alert System (EAS) requirements in part 11 
of this chapter;
    (5) A certification that the program originating FM booster station 
will originate programming for no more than three minutes of each 
broadcast hour; and
    (6) A certification that the program originating FM booster station 
has been properly synchronized to minimize interference to the primary 
station.
0
8. Amend Sec.  74.1231 by revising paragraph (j) and adding paragraph 
(k) to read as follows:


Sec.  74.1231   Purpose and permissible service.

* * * * *
    (j) In the case of a superpowered FM broadcast station, authorized 
with facilities in excess of those specified by Sec.  73.211 of this 
chapter, an FM booster station will only be authorized within the 
protected contour of the class of

[[Page 26855]]

station being rebroadcast as predicted based on the maximum facilities 
set forth in Sec.  73.211 for the applicable class of FM broadcast 
station being rebroadcast.
    (k) An FM broadcast booster station, as defined in Sec.  
74.1201(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this part, must suspend operations at any 
time its primary station is not operating. If a full-service FM 
broadcast station suspends operations, in addition to giving the 
notification specified in Sec.  73.1740(a)(4) of this chapter, each FM 
broadcast booster station and program originating FM booster station 
must also file a notification under Sec.  73.1740(a)(4) of this chapter 
that it has suspended operations.
0
9. Amend Sec.  74.1232 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (g), 
redesignating paragraph (h) as paragraph (i), and adding new paragraph 
(h). The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  74.1232   Eligibility and licensing requirements.

* * * * *
    (g) No numerical limit is placed upon the number of FM booster 
stations which may be licensed to a single licensee. No more than 
twenty five (25) program originating FM booster stations may be 
licensed to a single full-service FM broadcast station. * * *
    (h) A program originating FM booster station, when originating 
programming pursuant to the limits set forth in Sec.  74.1201(f)(2) of 
this part, may not broadcast programming that is not permitted by its 
primary station's authorization (e.g., a program originating FM booster 
station licensed to a noncommercial educational primary station may 
only originate programming consistent with Sec.  73.503 of this 
chapter).
* * * * *
0
10. Add Sec.  74.1290 to read as follows:


Sec.  74.1290   Political programming rules applicable to program 
originating FM booster stations.

    To the extent a program originating FM booster station originates 
programming different than that broadcast by its primary station, 
pursuant to the limits set forth in Sec.  74.1201(f)(2) of this part, 
it shall comply with the requirements in Sec. Sec.  73.1212 
(Sponsorship identification), 73.1940 (Legally qualified candidates for 
public office), 73.1941 (Equal opportunities), 73.1942 (Candidate 
rates), 73.1943 (Political file), and 73.1944 (Reasonable access), of 
this chapter.

[FR Doc. 2024-07911 Filed 4-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P