Federal Communications Commission FCC 18-34 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY Re: Streamlined Reauthorization Procedures for Assigned or Transferred Television Satellite Stations, MB Docket No. 18-63; Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, MB Docket No. 17-105 Today we appropriately launch an additional rulemaking to modernize the Commission’s regulatory burdens for over-the-air broadcasters. Specifically, this item proposes to streamline costly, lengthy applications for reauthorizing broadcast satellite waivers when a satellite station is assigned or transferred. Ultimately, this item will save both applicable broadcasters and the Commission significant resources. Importantly, satellite stations are generally located in rural and economically troubled areas. Yet, our current rules requiring the filing of unnecessary paperwork creates a disincentive to invest in these stations. I characterize these applications as “unnecessary” because they typically require the restatement of what was previously filed to obtain an original waiver and, despite numerous reauthorization requests since 1991 – at least 100, the Commission has never used information in these applications to deny such a petition. Therefore, I am pleased that this item tentatively concludes to streamline the process for reauthorizing satellite waivers when a satellite station is assigned or transferred in combination with its approved parent station. I also appreciate the Chairman and Commissioner Clyburn working with my office to ask questions on whether we should also streamline the process when a satellite station’s parent changes. Again, if the original intent of this waiver was to help struggling stations, the condition of the satellite station, not the parent station, should be our primary focus. I approve.