Procedural Streamlining of Administrative Hearings

In this document, the Commission adopts changes to its procedural rules governing administrative hearings under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. To streamline the hearing process and otherwise update the Commission's rules relating to administrative hearings, the Commission amends its rules to codify and expand the use of a process that relies on written testimony and documentary evidence in lieu of live testimony and cross-examination; authorize Commission staff to act as a case manager to supervise development of the written hearing record when the Commission designates itself as the presiding officer at a hearing; and dispense with the preparation of an initial opinion whenever the record of a proceeding can be certified to the Commission for final decision. Many of the changes that the Commission adopts are designed to supplement the Commission's current formal hearing processes to enable the Commission to select the personnel and procedures that are best suited to the issues raised in a particular case and that will achieve the purposes of that hearing without undue cost or delay.