*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 5134.doc* Federal Communications Commission DA 00- 2683 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of: ) ) Communications Assistance for ) CC Docket No. 97- 213 Law Enforcement Act ) ) ORDER EXTENDING TIME FOR REPLY COMMENTS Adopted: November 28, 2000; Released: November 29, 2000 By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology: 1. On November 21, 2000, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (DoJ/ FBI) filed a motion to extend the December 1, 2000 date for filing reply comments pursuant to the October 17, 2000 Public Notice 1 in this proceeding. 2 The Public Notice solicited comments on issues presented by the decision of the D. C. Circuit Court of Appeals in USTA v. FCC, 227 F. 3d 450 (2000). DoJ/ FBI state that because in response to the Public Notice a large number of parties filed comments and the Thanksgiving holiday intervened between the comment and reply comment dates, DoJ/ FBI do not have sufficient time to prepare reply comments. Accordingly, they request an extension until December 8, 2000. 3 2. Although the Commission does not routinely grant extensions of time, we agree with DoJ/ FBI that the public interest would be more adequately served if additional time is permitted for submitting reply comments on this matter. An extension of time would provide all parties additional time for analyzing the considerable number of comments submitted and provide a more thorough record in this proceeding. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the date for filing reply comments is extended to December 8, 2000. 3. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4 (i) and 303 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U. S. C. §§ 154 (i) and 303; and pursuant to Sections 0.31, 1 See DA 00- 2342. 2 See “Motion for 7- Day Extension of Time For Reply Comments.” 3 Id. at 1- 2. 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 00- 2683 2 0.241 and 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 0.31, 0.241 and 1.46. For further information contact Geraldine Matise or Rodney Small, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418- 2322 or 418- 2452, respectively; e- mail: gmatise@ fcc. gov or rsmall@ fcc. gov. Dale N. Hatfield Chief Office of Engineering and Technology 2