April, 15, 2016–A draft order that would address a First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) request that the Commission condition licenses or other authorizations to use 700 megahertz Band 14 “upon the requirement that no operation on Band 14 be permitted without the express consent of FirstNet after July 31, 2017” (TRDaily, Oct. 22, 2015) was circulated to FCC Commissioners April 13, according to the agency’s weekly list of circulated items and an agency source.

A companion further notice of proposed rulemaking concerning how the FCC should exercise its statutory responsibility to address state opt-out requests is part of the item, the source said.

The FirstNet item was among eight items circulated to Commissioners since April 8, most of which originated in the Wireless Telecommunications or Public Safety and Homeland Security bureaus. FCC sources provided details to TRDaily on most of the items.

A notice of proposed rulemaking circulated April 11 proposes to amend part 90 of the Commission’s rules to expand access to private land mobile radio (PLMR) spectrum.  The item addresses proposals in two rulemaking petitions filed by the Land Mobile Communications Council and proposals of the FCC’s to codify recent waivers.

A memorandum opinion and order circulated April 8 addresses an application for review filed by Avista Corp. that objected to approval of an AMTS (automated maritime telecommunications system) licensee’s proposal to add transmitter sites in the vicinity of a TV station.

An NPRM circulated April 8 proposes to eliminate section 20.9 of the agency’s rules dealing with the CMRS presumption. A report and order circulated April 8 updates the FCC’s rules to provide for new or improved kinds of maritime safety equipment.

An item circulated April 8 in ET docket 10-236 involves promoting expanded opportunities for radio experimentation and market trials under part 5 of the rules and streamlining other rules. The item is part of the FCC’s process reform initiative.

An NPRM circulated April 8 seeks to amend part 97 of the rules governing amateur operators to permit greater flexibility in data communications.

Circulated today was an item dealing with a revision of the FCC’s rules to establish service by e-mail for petitioners seeking to invoke the judicial lottery procedures. – Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com