On July 12, 2018, in the Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Order” and “FNRPM”) in the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) proceeding (FCC 18-94). The Order adopts rules to improve EAS effectiveness and the FNRPM seeks comment on proposals to facilitate false reporting, to add elements to State EAS Plans to facilitate effective testing and prevent and correct false alerts, and to ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (“WEA”) are effectively delivered (PS Docket Nos. 15-94, 15-91).
On August 10, 2018, the Commission published in the Federal Register both the Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking therefore establishing the effective dates and comment dates.
The Order is effective September 10, 2018, with the exception of the live code testing rules and false report rules which require OMB approval and will be effective upon future publication in the Federal Register. The amendments regarding EAS decoder requirements and obligations to process CAP-formatted EAS messages will be effective August 12, 2019.
Comments on the FNPRM are due September 10, 2018.
Reply comments on the FNPRM are due October 9, 2018.
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