Federal Communications Commission	"FCC/DA  XX-XXX"



DA 22-136
February 10, 2022

Media Bureau Announces Effective Date of Political Programming Rules
MB Docket No. 21-293
On January 25, 2022, the Commission released an order updating the political programming and recordkeeping rules for broadcast licensees, cable television system operators, Direct Broadcast Satellite service providers, and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service licensees. Revisions to Political Programming and Record-Keeping Rules, MB Docket No. 21-293, Report and Order, FCC 22-5 (rel. Jan. 25, 2022).
  The revised rules are effective 30 days after publication of a summary of the order in the Federal Register, except for portions of the rules requiring OMB approval. Id. at para. 26.  
  The Federal Register published a summary of the order on February 10, 2022. Political Programming and Recordkeeping Rules, 87 Fed. Reg. 7748 (Feb. 10, 2022).  See https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/10/2022-02484/political-programming-and-recordkeeping-rules.
  

Accordingly, the amendments to the definition of “legally qualified candidate” set forth in sections 73.1940(f) and 76.5(q) will take effect on March 14, 2022.  The amendments to the political file requirements in sections 25.701(d), 25.702(b), 73.1943(a) and (b), and 76.1701(a) and (b) require OMB approval and will become effective after publication in the Federal Register of a notice announcing such approval and the relevant effective date.  We will issue a subsequent public notice announcing the effective date of these rules.  

For further information regarding this proceeding, contact the Media Bureau’s Political Programming staff:  Robert Baker, at (202) 418-1417 or Robert.Baker@fcc.gov; Gary Schonman, at (202) 418-1795 or Gary.Schonman@fcc.gov; or Sima Nilsson, at (202) 418-2708 or Sima.Nilsson@fcc.gov.

-FCC-





2