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 12-302 Released: February 28, 2012 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU TERMINATES THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE INTEROPERABILITY CENTER TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE By this Public Notice, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (“Bureau”) terminates the authority of and dissolves the Emergency Response Interoperability Center Technical Advisory Committee (“TAC”).1 Established on June 6, 2010, the TAC was charged with making recommendations to the Commission and the Emergency Response Interoperability Center regarding the Commission’s development of policies and rules concerning the nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network.2 On February 22, 2012, the President of the United States signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Spectrum Legislation).3 Among other things, this new law establishes the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and directs the Commission to reallocate the 700 MHz D block spectrum and existing public safety broadband spectrum to FirstNet.4 FirstNet is charged with ensuring “the building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide public safety broadband network,” and must establish a new “standing public safety advisory committee” to assist it.5 In light of these changed circumstances and statutory directives, the Commission formally terminates the TAC. The TAC played a crucial role in advising the Commission and 1 See Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Requests Appoints Members to the Emergency Response Interoperability Center Technical Advisory Committee, Public Notice, DA 10-1104 (PSHSB rel. June 21, 2010). 2 Because the TAC consists solely of state, local and tribal government officers or their designees, acting in their official capacities, who advise ERIC solely on “the management or implementation of Federal programs” that “explicitly or inherently share intergovernmental responsibilities or administration,” the TAC is exempt from the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act under the intergovernmental communication exemption in Section 204(b) of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 U.S.C. § 1534(b). 3 Pub. L. No. 112-96 (2012). 4 Id. §§ 6201(a); 6204. 5 Id. §§ 6205(a); 6206(b)(1). ERIC on initial interoperability measures and considerations for the 700 MHz waiver recipients, and the Commission and ERIC thank the members for their dedication and contributions to the work of the Commission. For further information contact: Gene Fullano, Associate Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554. Phone: 202-418-0492. Email: genaro.fullano@fcc.gov. Action by the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. - FCC -