PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 09-913 Released: May 20, 2009 MEDIA BUREAU ACTION COMMENT DATES ESTABLISHED FOR REPORT TO CONGRESS ON COMMERCIAL PROGRAMMING SERVICES TARGETED TO CHILDREN ONBOARD SCHOOL BUSES MB Docket No. 09-68 Comment Date: June 15, 2009 Reply Comment Date: June 29, 2009 Through this Public Notice, we seek comment on Congress’ directive in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 that the Commission issue a report regarding “commercial proposals for broadcasting radio or television programs for reception onboard specially-equipped school buses operated by, or under contract with, local public educational agencies.”1 In particular, the Commission’s report must examine: (i.) the nature of the material proposed to be broadcast and whether it is age appropriate for the passengers; (ii.) the amount and nature of commercial advertising to be broadcast; and (iii.) whether such broadcasts for reception by public school buses are in the public interest.2 We invite comment on the type(s) of commercial programming services that are currently being developed or offered for reception onboard school buses. In addition, we seek comment on each of the above factors and any additional issues that are relevant to the Commission’s report. All filings must reference MB Docket No. 09-68. Comments sent via e-mail to the Commission will be considered informal and will not be part of the official record.3 Comments may be filed using: (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies.4 · Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 1 Explanatory Statement, Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-8, Division D (2009). 2 Id. 3 This proceeding is not subject to the Commission’s ex parte rules. 4 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, GC Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322, 11326, ¶ 8 (1998). 2 http://www.regulations.gov. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. · For ECFS filers, in completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal service mailing address, and the applicable docket number: MB Docket No. 09-68. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, filers should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and include the following words in the body of the message: “get form”. A sample form and instructions will be sent in response. · Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. · The Commission’s contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. · Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. · U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. One copy of each filing must be sent to Raelynn Remy, Media Bureau, Room 4-A802, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 or raelynn.remy@fcc.gov. Filings are also available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th St., S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 418-0270. They may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th St., S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC, 20554, telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, or via email at fcc@bcpiweb.com. Alternate formats of this Public Notice (computer diskette, large print, audio recording, or Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 or (202) 418-0432 (TTY). For further information, contact Raelynn Remy, (202) 418-2936, or John Norton, (202) 418-7037. Press inquiries should be directed to David Fiske, (202) 418-0513. -FCC-