PERMANENT SELECT 2269 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE WASHINGTON, DC 20515 CHAIRMAN 245 EAST OLIVE AVENUE, SUITE 200 BURBANK, CA 91502 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS EX-OFFICIO MEMBER @RepAdamSchiff " schiff.house.gov ADAM B. SCHIFF MEMBER OF CONGRESS . 2STH DISTRICT, CALIFORN IA July 31 , 2019 559 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 455 1211t Street SW Washington, DC 20544 Dear Chairman Pai: I am concerned that the Federal Communications Commission's proposed rules in the matter of "Implementation of Section 621 (a)( I) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 as Amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992"' (MB Docket No. 05-311 ), in particular its proposal to count "cable-related, in-kind contributions" from cable operators against the franchise fees they pay to local communities, will reduce access to public, educational and governmental (PEG) channels. I understand that the FCC will be voting on this matter as soon as this week. Congress intended the Cable Act's franchise procedures and standards to "assure that cable systems are responsive to the needs and interests of the local community" and that they '·are encouraged to provide the widest possible diversity of information sources and services to the public" ( 4 7 U .S.C § 521 , 1984). To that end, the Cable Act permits local franchise authorities to require that cable companies provide access to PEG channels in addition to paying limited franchise fees. PEG channels provide a critical local service in my district and in communities across the country. Under the proposed rules, however, the FCC would reclassify access to these channels, as well as other important community benefits, as in-kind contributions that would count against the statutory limit on the fees local governments can charge cable operators. This change, if finalized, could force communities to choose between collecting revenue from fees or providing access to PEG channels, thereby undercutting access to this essential local programming. At a time when local media is under financial pressure and in decline in many markets, preserving programming that focuses on local concerns should be a top priority. As the FCC prepares to vote on this matter, I urge you to ensure that any final rule adequately protects access local programming. Thank you for your attention to my concerns. ~?Jy, . Adam B. s«J,t; M ioM BER OF CONGRESS