PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: https://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 17-481
May 17, 2017
NOTICE CONCERNING EX PARTE STATUS OF INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO 
THE CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) recently announced the next 
meeting of its Consumer Advisory Committee (Committee or CAC), to be held on Friday, May 19, 2017.
1
The CAC is a federal advisory committee, the charter of which was renewed in October, 2016.
2
The 
mission of the CAC is to provide advice and recommendations to the Commission regarding consumer 
issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission and to facilitate the participation of consumers 
(including underserved populations, such as Native Americans, persons living in rural areas, older 
persons, people with disabilities, and persons for whom English is not their primary language) in 
proceedings before the Commission. The CAC is organized under, and operates in accordance with, the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
3
Pursuant to the FACA, the Commission is responsible for oversight of the CAC, including its 
subcommittees and working groups.
4
As a result, FCC staff or Commissioners may participate in or 
attend meetings or other activities held by both the CAC and its subcommittees and working groups. In 
light of this, we are announcing that, pursuant to section 1.1200(a) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 
1.1200(a), presentations to the CAC, including to its subcommittees and working groups, and at any 
roundtable discussions sponsored by the CAC, and presentations between CAC members (including 
members of any subcommittees or working groups) and FCC staff or Commissioners, will be treated as 
exempt presentations for ex parte purposes. This treatment is appropriate since presentations to the 
Committee, like comments on a Notice of Inquiry, will not directly result in the promulgation of new 
rules.
5
We recognize, however, that issues that may be addressed by the CAC are the subject of a 
number of pending FCC proceedings. The Commission will not rely in these proceedings on any 
information submitted to the CAC, or to any of its subcommittees, working groups, or sponsored 
roundtables, or information conveyed by CAC members (including members of any subcommittees or 
working groups) to FCC staff or Commissioners unless that information is first placed in the record of the 
relevant proceeding.
                                                     
1
FCC Announces the Next Meeting of the Consumer Advisory Committee, Public Notice, DA 17-400 (April 27, 
2017). 
2
FCC Announces the Charter Renewal and Membership of the Consumer Advisory Committee, Public Notice, 31 
FCC Rcd 11906 (2016).
3
See 5 U.S.C. App. 2.
4
See id.
5
See 47 CFR § 1.1204(b)(1)(exempt treatment of presentations regarding a Notice of Inquiry).
2Additional information regarding the CAC can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-advisory-
committee. You may also contact Scott Marshall, Designated Federal Officer for CAC at (202) 418-2809 
(voice/relay) or scott.marshall@fcc.gov.
- FCC -