PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 18-28 January 11, 2018 FCC ANNOUNCES VACANCIES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF ITS INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITEE AND SEEKS NOMINATIONS The Commission has expanded the membership of the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) from 15 members to 30 members. 1 By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks applications for membership to the IAC from local, state and Tribal government officials to fill the 15 new positions and also announces three additional vacancies in the existing IAC membership. 2 Specifically, we are soliciting applications to replace Commissioner Ronald Brisé from the Florida Public Service Commission, whose term as Commissioner will end in January 2018, Kasim Reed, Mayor City of Atlanta, whose term as Mayor also ends in January 2018 and Edwin M. Lee, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, who unfortunately passed away in December 2017. Applications for membership are due 60 days from the release of the Public Notice. Applications should be submitted in accordance with the procedures outlined below. Members appointed by the Chairman of the Commission to fill the vacancies will serve through the end of the IAC’s current term, which will run through March 24, 2019. MISSION AND FUNCTIONS The mission of the IAC is to provide advice to the Commission on the many telecommunications issues affecting local, state and Tribal governments that are within the jurisdiction of the FCC. During its two-year term, the IAC may be tasked by the Chairman to produce specific deliverables that will further the Commission’s mission and objectives. The duties of the Committee may include providing guidance to the Commission, gathering data and information, aiding the agency on outreach when needed, and performing those analyses the Commission deems necessary to respond to the questions or matters before it. 1 In the Matter of Modification of Subpart G, Section 0.701 of the Commission’s Rules, Order, FCC 17-172 (rel. December 20, 2017). This Order was effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register on January 8, 2018. See 83 FR 732. 2 The IAC, formerly known as the Local and State Government Advisory Committee (“LSGAC”) was created in 1997 to provide guidance to the Commission on telecommunications issues of interest to state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as to the Commission. See Adoption of Subpart G, Section 0.701 of the Commission’s Rules, and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 1183 (2001). On July 17, 2003, the Commission adopted an Order approving revisions to its rules governing the LSGAC, changing the name from the LSGAC to the IAC in order to maintain and strengthen its intergovernmental nature and qualification. Because the IAC is comprised solely of elected federal, state, local and Tribal officials (or their designated employees), the IAC is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (“FACA”) pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA). See 2 U.S.C. §1534(b). 2The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) within the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau is the Chairman’s designee to serve as liaison to the IAC and provide oversight of the committee. MEMBERSHIP The revisions to the rules expanding the IAC membership to thirty members will enhance the Committee’s ability to carry out its mission. A larger and more diverse membership will enable the IAC to better represent perspectives and viewpoints from relevant government sectors, and promote valuable, comprehensive, and balanced input that reflects the views and expertise of our regulatory partners. Our experience with other advisory committees has shown membership of a similar size to be beneficial. 3 Pursuant to revisions to Section 0.701(b) of the Commission’s rules, the IAC now consists of thirty members (or their designated employees) of which at least; 1) four shall be elected municipal officials (city mayors and city council members); 2) two shall be elected county officials (county commissioners or council members); 3) one shall be a local government attorney; 4) one shall be an elected state executive; 5) three shall be elected state legislators; 6) one shall be a public utilities or public service commissioner; and 7) three shall be Native American Tribal representatives. Individuals from the categories described above who are elected officials may nominate themselves to serve as a member, or may nominate themselves to serve as a member and at the same time designate an employee to serve on their behalf, provided that they submit a designation letter with their nomination that is accepted by the Chairman of the Commission. Such designation letters must be from an appropriate “elected officer of State, local and Tribal Governments.” 4 Further, any nomination of appointed attorneys, commissioners or representatives also must be supported by a designation letter from an elected officer of a state, local or Tribal government, for whom such appointees will be serving in their official capacities. The designation letters may be in the following format: “I am [insert official’s name and title], and would like to designate [insert designee’s name and title], a member of my staff with responsibilities for [concise description of position], to represent me on the IAC.” This designation process will ensure compliance with the requirements of UMRA so that the IAC can continue to operate with the informality and flexibility that have proven effective in the past and that are inherent in its FACA-exempt status. Nominees must be willing to serve through the end of the current term of the IAC, which requires attendance at four (4) meetings per year in Washington, D.C. at the applicant’s expense. Members must attend a minimum of fifty percent of the IAC's yearly meetings and may be removed by the Chair of the IAC for failure to comply with this requirement. 5 Members will have an initial and continuing obligation to disclose any interests in, or connection to, persons or entities who are, or will be, regulated by, or who have interests before, the Commission. 3 See, e.g., Consumer Advisory Committee, https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-advisory-committee (29 members); Disability Advisory Committee, https://www.fcc.gov/general/disability-advisory-committee (37 members); Technological Advisory Council https://www.fcc.gov/general/technological-advisory-council (44 members). 4 See 2 U.S.C. § 1534(b). 5 See 47 CFR § 0.701(c). 3CANDIDATE EXPERTISE The Commission is especially interested in candidates with expertise in communications and information technology, and candidates representing rural and Tribal areas, especially candidates with expertise in the challenges of rural broadband adoption. APPLICATIONS AND SELECTION Interested candidates should submit their applications to the Commission. Please note that applicants will be serving on the IAC as representatives of their jurisdictions and not as representatives of any organizations that may recommend them. Applications may be submitted as follows: (1) online via email; and/or (2) hardcopy via mail. Applications must be received by no later than 6 pm 60 days from the release of this PN. Applications submitted via email must be sent to IGA@fcc.gov. Hard copy applications submitted via mail must be addressed to: Attn: Carmen Scanlon, Attorney Advisor Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 The application does not require a particular format but must include the following information: ? Resume (including applicant’s current position); ? Contact information (both email and mailing addresses, as well as telephone numbers); ? A brief description of the applicant’s area of expertise and qualifications to serve on the IAC, including the applicant’s experience with telecommunications issues affecting local, state, or Tribal governments. Candidates are encouraged to provide links to any articles they have authored on relevant topics and/or public appearances available on the web for viewing; and, ? The position(s) that the applicant is applying for, i.e., elected municipal officials (city mayors and city council members); county officials (county commissioners or council members); elected or appointed local government attorney; elected state executive (Governor or Lieutenant Governor); elected state legislators; elected or appointed public utilities or public service commissioner; or elected or appointed Native American Tribal representatives. If an applicant potentially qualifies for more than one position on the IAC, he or she should specify which position(s) they seek. Once the Chairman of the Commission selects the new IAC members, the Commission will release a Public Notice announcing the appointments. ACCESSIBLE FORMATS To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice) or (202) 418-0432 (TTY). 4For further information, please contact: Carmen Scanlon, Attorney Advisor, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, (202) 418-0544, carmen.scanlon@fcc.gov.