*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 29763* Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 184 CONCURRING STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL COPPS Re: Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2003 I respectfully concur in today’s decision. I am concerned that the Commission still does not address when or how it should adjust the regulatory fees to take into account changes to the cost of regulating various services. In section 9 of the Communications Act, Congress directed the Commission to assess and collect regulatory fees. Congress further provided that the Commission shall develop accounting systems that allow it to modify the fee schedule to ensure that the fees are reasonably related to the benefits provided to the payor by the Commission's activities. This year, as in past years, the Commission merely relies on across- the- board proportionate increases from the previous year’s schedule of fees. I am encouraged that the Commission intends to address certain problems with this methodology by committing to initiate a proceeding to consider the fee structure governing LMDS and other wireless services. I urge the Commission to undertake a more comprehensive review of its methodology to ensure that we comply fully with the requirements of section 9. 1