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order, or, if the effective date has passed at the time notice is received, the license shall be sent to the Commission forthwith.

(Sec. 303(m), 48 Stat. 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 303(m))

[28 FR 10415, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 44 FR 39180, July 5, 1979; 58 FR 13021, Mar. 9, 1993]

1.87 Modification of license or construction permit on motion of the Commission.

(a) Whenever it appears that a station license or construction permit should be modified, the Commission shall notify the licensee or permittee in writing of the proposed action and reasons therefor, and afford the licensee or permittee at least thirty days to protest such proposed order of modification, except that, where safety of life or property is involved, the Commission may by order provide a shorter period of time.

(b) The notification required in paragraph (a) of this section may be effectuated by a notice of proposed rule making in regard to a modification or addition of an FM or television channel to the Table of Allotments (§§ 73.202 and 73.504) or Table of Assignments ($73.606). The Commission shall send a copy of any such notice of proposed rule making to the affected licensee or permittee by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(c) Any other licensee or permittee who believes that its license or permit would be modified by the proposed action may also protest the proposed action before its effective date.

(d) Any protest filed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the requirements of section 309 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, for petitions to deny.

(e) In any case where a hearing is conducted pursuant to the provisions of this section, both the burden of proceeding with the introduction of evidence and the burden of proof shall be upon the Commission except that, with respect to any issue that pertains to the question of whether the proposed action would modify the license or permit of a person filing a protest pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section,

such burdens shall be as described by the Commission.

(f) In order to utilize the right to a hearing and the opportunity to appear and give evidence upon the issues specified in any hearing order, the licensee or permittee, in person or by attorney, shall, within the period of time as may be specified in the hearing order, file with the Commission a written statement stating that he or she will appear at the hearing and present evidence on the matters specified in the hearing order.

(g) The right to file a protest or have a hearing shall, unless good cause is shown in a petition to be filed not later than 5 days before the lapse of time specified in paragraph (a) or (f) of this section, be deemed waived:

(1) In case of failure to timely file the protest as required by paragraph (a) of this section or a written statement as required by paragraph (f) of this section.

(2) In case of filing a written statement provided for in paragraph (f) of this section but failing to appear at the hearing, either in person or by counsel.

(h) Where the right to file a protest or have a hearing is waived, the licensee or permittee will be deemed to have consented to the modification as proposed and a final decision may be issued by the Commission accordingly. Irrespective of any waiver as provided for in paragraph (g) of this section or failure by the licensee or permittee to raise a substantial and material question of fact concerning the proposed modification in his protest, the Commission may, on its own motion, designate the proposed modification for hearing in accordance with this section.

(i) Any order of modification issued pursuant to this section shall include a statement of the findings and the grounds and reasons therefor, shall specify the effective date of the modification, and shall be served on the licensee or permittee.

[52 FR 22654, June 15, 1987]

$1.88 Predesignation pleading procedure.

In cases where an investigation is being conducted by the Commission in connection with the operation of a

broadcast station or a pending application for renewal of a broadcast license, the licensee may file a written statement to the Commission setting forth its views regarding the matters under investigation; the staff, in its discretion, may in writing, advise such licensee of the general nature of the investigation, and advise the licensee of its opportunity to submit such a statement to the staff. Any filing by the licensee will be forwarded to the Commission in conjunction with any staff memorandum recommending that the Commission take action as a result of the invesigation. Nothing in this rule shall supersede the application of our ex parte rules to situations described in §1.1203 of these rules.

(Secs. 4, 303, 307, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1082, 1083; (47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307))

[45 FR 65597, Oct. 3, 1980]

§1.89 Notice of violations.

(a) Except in cases of willfulness or those in which public health, interest, or safety requires otherwise, any person who holds a license, permit or other authorization appearing to have violated any provision of the Communications Act or any provision of this chapter will, before revocation, suspension, or cease and desist proceedings are instituted, be served with a written notice calling these facts to his or her attention and requesting a statement concerning the matter. FCC Form 793 may be used for this purpose. The Notice of Violation may be combined with a Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture. In such event, notwithstanding the Notice of Violation, the provisions of §1.80 apply and not those of §1.89.

(b) Within 10 days from receipt of notice or such other period as may be specified, the recipient shall send a written answer, in duplicate, directly to the Commission office originating the official notice. If an answer cannot be sent or an acknowledgment cannot be made within such 10-day period by reason of illness or other unavoidable circumstance, acknowledgment and answer shall be made at the earliest practicable date with a satisfactory explanation of the delay.

(c) The answer to each notice shall be complete in itself and shall not be abbreviated by reference to other communications or answers to other notices. In every instance the answer shall contain a statement of action taken to correct the condition or omission complained of and to preclude its recurrence. In addition:

(1) If the notice relates to violations that may be due to the physical or electrical characteristics of transmitting apparatus and any new apparatus is to be installed, the answer shall state the date such apparatus was ordered, the name of the manufacturer, and the promised date of delivery. If the installation of such apparatus requires a construction permit, the file number of the application shall be given, or if a file number has not been assigned by the Commission, such identification shall be given as will permit ready identification of the application.

(2) If the notice of violation relates to lack of attention to or improper operation of the transmitter, the name and license number of the operator in charge (where applicable) shall be given.

[48 FR 24890, June 3, 1983]

$1.91 Revocation and/or cease and desist proceedings; hearings.

(a) If it appears that a station license or construction permit should be revoked and/or that a cease and desist order should be issued, the Commission will issue an order directing the person to show cause why an order of revocation and/or a cease and desist order, as the facts may warrant, should not be issued.

(b) An order to show cause why an order of revocation and/or a cease and desist order should not be issued will contain a statement of the matters with respect to which the Commission is inquiring and will call upon the person to whom it is directed (the respondent) to appear before the Commission at a hearing, at a time and place stated in the order, but not less than thirty days after the receipt of such order, and given evidence upon the matters specified in the order to show cause. However, if safety of life or property is involved, the order to show cause may specify a hearing date less

than thirty days from the receipt of such order.

(c) To avail himself of such opportunity for hearing, the respondent, personally or by his attorney, shall file with the Commission, within thirty days of the service of the order or such shorter period as may be specified therein, a written appearance stating that he will appear at the hearing and present evidence on the matters specified in the order. The Commission in its discretion may accept a late appearance. However, an appearance tendered after the specified time has expired will not be accepted unless accompanied by a petition stating with particularity the facts and reasons relied on to justify such late filing. Such petition for acceptance of late appearance will be granted only if the Commission determines that the facts and reasons stated therein constitute good cause for failure to file on time.

(d) Hearings on the matters specified in such orders to show cause shall accord with the practice and procedure prescribed in this subpart and Subpart B of this part, with the following exceptions: (1) In all such revocation and/ or cease and desist hearings, the burden of proceeding with the introduction of evidence and the burden of proof shall be upon the Commission; and (2) the Commission may specify in a show cause order, when the circumstances of the proceeding require expedition, a time less than that prescribed in §§1.276 and 1.277 within which the initial decision in the proceeding shall become effective, exceptions to such initial decision must be filed, parties must file requests for oral argument, and parties must file notice of intention to participate in oral argument.

(e) Correction of or promise to correct the conditions or matters complained of in a show cause order shall not preclude the issuance of a cease and desist order. Corrections or promises to correct the conditions or matters complained of, and the past record of the licensee, may, however, be considered in determining whether a revocation and/or a cease and desist order should be issued.

(f) Any order of revocation and/or cease and desist order issued after

hearing pursuant to this section shall include a statement of findings and the grounds therefor, shall specify the effective date of the order, and shall be served on the person to whom such order is directed.

(Sec. 312, 48 Stat. 1086, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 312)

§ 1.92 Revocation and/or cease and desist proceedings; after waiver of hearing.

(a) After the issuance of an order to show cause, pursuant to §1.91, calling upon a person to appear at a hearing before the Commission, the occurrence of any one of the following events or circumstances will constitute a waiver of such hearing and the proceeding thereafter will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(1) The respondent fails to file a timely written appearance as prescribed in §1.91(c) indicating that he will appear at a hearing and present evidence on the matters specified in the order.

(2) The respondent, having filed a timely written appearance as prescribed in §1.91(c), fails in fact to appear in person or by his attorney at the time and place of the duly scheduled hearing.

(3) The respondent files with the Commission, within the time specified for a written appearance in §1.91(c), a written statement expressly waiving his rights to a hearing.

(b) When a hearing is waived under the provisions of paragraph (a) (1) or (3) of this section, a written statement signed by the respondent denying or seeking to mitigate or justify the circumstances or conduct complained of in the order to show cause may be submitted within the time specified in §1.91(c). The Commission in its discretion may accept a late statement. However, a statement tendered after the specified time has expired will not be accepted unless accompanied by a petition stating with particularity the facts and reasons relied on to justify such late filing. Such petitions for acceptance of a late statement will be granted only if the Commission determines that the facts and reasons stated

therein constitute good cause for failure to file on time.

(c) Whenever a hearing is waived by the occurrence of any of the events or circumstances listed in paragraph (a) of this section, the Chief Administrative Law Judge (or the presiding officer if one has been designated) shall, at the earliest practicable date, issue an order reciting the events or circumstances constituting a waiver of hearing, terminating the hearing proceeding, and certifying the case to the Commission. Such order shall be served upon the respondent.

(d) After a hearing proceeding has been terminated pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the Commission will act upon the matters specified in the order to show cause in the regular course of business. The Commission I will determine on the basis of all the information available to it from any source, including such further proceedings as may be warranted, if a revocation order and/or a cease and desist order should issue, and if so, will issue such order. Otherwise, the Commission will issue an order dismissing the proceeding. All orders specified in this paragraph will include a statement of the findings of the Commission and the grounds and reasons therefor, will specify the effective date thereof, and will be served upon the respondent.

(e) Corrections or promise to correct the conditions or matters complained of in a show cause order shall not preclude the issuance of a cease and desist order. Corrections or promises to correct the conditions or matters complained of, and the past record of the licensee, may, however, be considered in determining whether a revocation and/ or a cease and desist order should be issued.

(Sec. 312, 48 Stat. 1086, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 312)

[28 FR 12415, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 29 FR 6443, May 16, 1964; 37 FR 19372, Sept. 20, 1972]

§1.93 Consent orders.

(a) As used in this subpart, a "consent order" is a formal decree accepting an agreement between a party to an adjudicatory hearing proceeding held to determine whether that party has violated statutes or Commission

rules or policies and the appropriate operating Bureau, with regard to such party's future compliance with such statutes, rules or policies, and disposing of all issues on which the proceeding was designated for hearing. The order is issued by the officer designated to preside at the hearing or (if no officer has been designated) by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(b) Where the interests of timely enforcement or compliance, the nature of the proceeding, and the public interest permit, the Commission, by its operating Bureaus, may negotiate a consent order with a party to secure future compliance with the law in exchange for prompt disposition of a matter subject to administrative adjudicative proceedings. Consent orders may not be negotiated with respect to matters which involve a party's basic statutory qualifications to hold a license (see 47 U.S.C. 308 and 309).

[41 FR 14871, Apr. 8, 1976]

§ 1.94 Consent order procedures.

(a) Negotiations leading to a consent order may be initiated by the operating Bureau or by a party whose possible violations are issues in the proceeding. Negotiations may be initiated at any time after designation of a proceeding for hearing. If negotiations are initiated the presiding officer shall be notified. Parties shall be prepared at the initial prehearing conference to state whether they are at that time willing to enter negotiations. See §1.248(c)(7). If either party is unwilling to enter negotiations, the hearing proceeding shall proceed. If the parties agree to enter negotiations, they will be afforded an appropriate opportunity to negotiate before the hearing is commenced.

(b) Other parties to the proceeding are entitled, but are not required, to participate in the negotiations, and may join in any agreement which is reached.

(c) Every agreement shall contain the following:

(1) An admission of all jurisdictional facts;

(2) A waiver of the usual procedures for preparation and review of an initial decision;

(3) A waiver of the right of judicial review or otherwise to challenge or contest the validity of the consent order;

(4) A statement that the designation order may be used in construing the consent order;

(5) A statement that the agreement shall become a part of the record of the proceeding only if the consent order is signed by the presiding officer and the time for review has passed without rejection of the order by the Commission; (6) A statement that the agreement is for purposes of settlement only and that its signing does not constitute an admission by any party of any violation of law, rules or policy (see 18 U.S.C. 6002); and

(7) A draft order for signature of the presiding officer resolving by consent, and for the future, all issues specified in the designation order.

(d) If agreement is reached, it shall be submitted to the presiding officer or Chief Administrative Law Judge, as the case may be, who shall either sign the order, reject the agreement, or suggest to the parties that negotiations continue on such portion of the agreement as he considers unsatisfactory or on matters not reached in the agreement. If he rejects the agreement, the hearing shall proceed. If he suggests further negotiations, the hearing will proceed or negotiations will continue, depending on the wishes of parties to the agreement. If he signs the consent order, he shall close the record.

(e) Any party to the proceeding who has not joined in any agreement which is reached may appeal the consent order under §1.302, and the Commission may review the agreement on its own motion under the provisions of that section. If the Commission rejects the consent order, the proceeding will be remanded for further proceedings. If the Commission does not reject the consent order, it shall be entered in the record as a final order and is subject to judicial review on the initiative only of parties to the proceeding who did not join in the agreement. The Commission may revise the agreement and consent order. In that event, private parties to the agreement may either accept the revision or withdraw from the agreement. If the party whose possible viola

tions are issues in the proceeding withdraws from the agreement, the consent order will not be issued or made a part of the record, and the proceeding will be remanded for further proceedings.

(f) The provisions of this section shall not alter any existing procedure for informal settlement of any matter prior to designation for hearing (see, e.g., 47 U.S.C. 208) or for summary decision after designation for hearing.

(g) Consent orders, pleadings relating thereto, and Commission orders with respect thereto shall be served on parties to the proceeding. Public notice will be given of orders issued by an administrative law judge, the Chief Administrative Law Judge, or the Commission. Negotiating papers constitute work product, are available to parties participating in negotiations, but are not routinely available for public inspection.

[41 FR 14871, Apr. 8, 1976]

§1.95 Violation of consent orders.

Violation of a consent order shall subject the consenting party to any and all sanctions which could have been imposed in the proceeding resulting in the consent order if all of the issues in that proceeding had been decided against the consenting party and to any further sanctions for violation noted as agreed upon in the consent order. The Commission shall have the burden of showing that the consent order has been violated in some (but not in every) respect. Violation of the consent order and the sanctions to be imposed shall be the only issues considered in a proceeding concerning such an alleged violation.

[41 FR 14871, Apr. 8, 1976]

RECONSIDERATION AND REVIEW OF AC

TIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION
AND PURSUANT TO DELEGATED AU-
THORITY; EFFECTIVE DATES AND FI-
NALITY DATES OF ACTIONS

$1.101 General provisions.

Under section 5(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Commission is authorized, by rule or order, to delegate certain of its functions to a panel of commissioners, an individual commissioner, an employee board, or

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