Notice2026-20005
Renewal of the Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) is publishing this notice to announce the renewal of the Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee (CPAAC). The Commission has determined that the renewal of the CPAAC is necessary and in the public's interest.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61847-61848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20005]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[DA 26-733; FR ID 369224]
Renewal of the Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory
Committee
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of renewal.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) is
publishing this notice to announce the renewal of the Consumer
Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee (CPAAC). The Commission
has determined that the renewal of the CPAAC is necessary and in the
public's interest.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David M. P[eacute]rez or Joshua
Mendelsohn, Designated Federal Officers, Federal Communications
Commission, via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d99a8998989a99bfbabaf7beb6af"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7849786868487a1a4a4e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 9(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 1008, and 41 CFR 102-
3.65, the FCC is announcing the CPAAC's renewal and providing herein
the Commission-approved public interest determination.
The CPAAC's objectives and scope of activities, as described in its
charter, include providing the Commission with advice and
recommendations on issues concerning consumer protection, disability
access, developments in communications technology, and the impact of
emerging technologies and services on consumers--including individuals
with disabilities. The CPAAC will operate for two years from the date
of renewal unless the Commission directs that the Committee terminate
at an earlier date. A copy of the renewal charter will be posted on the
CPAAC's website at <a href="http://www.fcc.gov/cpaac">www.fcc.gov/cpaac</a>.
Public Interest Determination
Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 102-3.60(a), to establish, renew,
reestablish, or merge a discretionary (agency discretion) advisory
committee, an agency must first consult with the General Services
Administration's Committee Management Secretariat (the Secretariat)
and, as part of the consultation, provide a written public interest
determination approved by the head of the agency to the Secretariat
with a copy to the Office of Management and Budget. In addition,
pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 102-3.35, an agency shall follow the same
consultation process and document in writing the same determination of
need before creating a subcommittee under a discretionary committee
that is not made up entirely of members of a parent advisory committee.
Information on the following factors for the committee is provided
to the Secretariat to demonstrate that renewing the committee is in the
public interest:
1. Annual budget: The estimated annual operating cost for
supporting the CPAAC is $372,154.00.
a. Federal personnel on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis: 2.8
FTE.
b. Other Federal internal costs: $20,000.
c. Proposed payments to members: The FCC does not compensate CPAAC
members for their services.
d. Proposed number of members: Approximately 35.
e. Reimbursable costs: $0.
2. If applicable, the total dollar value of grants expected to be
recommended during the fiscal year: $0.
3. Criteria for selecting members to ensure the committee has the
necessary
[[Page 61848]]
expertise and fairly balanced membership: Members selected will
represent a wide variety of interests, including consumers, individuals
with disabilities, community and/or other non-profit or governmental
organizations, regulators, and industry or, if serving as Special
Government Employees in their personal capacity, will have significant
expertise in the issues to be addressed by the Committee.
Members will represent a wide variety of entities with interests in
consumer or disability access issues within the Federal Communications
Commission's purview, including: consumer or community organizations,
which may include people who are blind or visually impaired, people who
are deaf or hard of hearing, people with cognitive disabilities, people
with multiple disabilities, including those who are deafblind, and
people who have speech disabilities; state, local, or tribal
governments; and companies or trade associations in various sectors of
the communications industry. Members may also include consumers serving
on their own behalf or individuals who have significant expertise
regarding the issues to be addressed by the committee, who may serve as
Special Government Employees. Together, these members will represent a
balance of viewpoints necessary to address effectively the issues to be
considered by the committee.
4. List of all other Federal advisory committees of the agency: In
addition to the CPAAC, the FCC has three discretionary FACA committees:
(a) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council
(b) Technological Advisory Council
(c) World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee
5. Justification that the information or advice provided by the
Federal advisory committee or subcommittee is not available from
another Federal advisory committee, another Federal Government source,
or any other more cost-effective and less burdensome source.
The FCC must stay apprised of existing and emerging issues in
telecommunications and video programming which may affect consumers,
including individuals with disabilities, and take action to benefit the
American public and ensure compliance with the Communications Act of
1934, as amended. The FCC must exercise many tools, including by
relying on federal advisory committees, to keep pace with opportunities
and challenges posed by new and emerging communications technologies.
The members of the committee bring outside knowledge and expertise from
the perspectives of industry, trade associations, and organizations
representing consumers and individuals with disabilities, which will
inform agency staff to accomplish our mission.
6. If the consultation is a committee renewal, a summary of the
previous accomplishments of the committee and the reasons it needs to
continue: Recommendations from past terms of the advisory committee
have informed the Commission's work in addressing consumer and
disability issues. For example, past recommendations have led to
Commission actions that empowered consumers and advanced important
consumer protection priorities. Numerous recommendations have informed
the Commission's work to combat robocalls, including the use of SHAKEN/
STIR and call blocking rules. Recommendations have also focused on
advancements in communications technology, mobile device security,
changes to FCC consumer complaint intake and reporting, as well as
consumer education campaigns for the Digital TV transition. Other
recommendations on the Use of Telecommunication Relay Services on Video
Conferencing Platforms expedited the deployment of relay on platforms
like Zoom and Teams. Another set of recommendations on the Use of
Artificial Intelligence to Caption Live Video Programming will help
inform future efforts to modernize captioning regulations. And
recommendations on Direct Video Calling (DVC) led to a DVC Forum that
we hosted at the FCC.
The FCC's top priorities are aligned with the Communications Act of
1934, as amended by Congress, which requires the FCC to protect
consumers and ensure accessibility of telecommunications and video
programming. The FCC needs to understand how existing and emerging
issues in these fields affect consumers, including people with
disabilities, to ensure that it adopts regulations such that
telecommunications and video programming continue to benefit the
American public, by engaging with the stakeholders most affected by
these issues, including through federal advisory committee engagement.
7. Explanation of why the committee/subcommittee is essential to
the conduct of agency business: The Consumer Protection and
Accessibility Advisory Committee is chartered to focus on key issues
that are essential to the FCC's business, including issues affecting
consumer protection and education; implementation of statutes,
Commission rules, and policies to protect consumers; promoting consumer
participation and input into Commission rulemaking proceedings and
other decision-making processes; impact of new and emerging
communications technologies on consumers, including those in
underserved areas; communications access for people with disabilities,
and video programming access for people with disabilities.
Telecommunications and video programming are continually evolving, with
opportunities and challenges affecting consumers--including people with
disabilities. Continual input and engagement through the Consumer
Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee is essential to ensure
that the FCC has the data and tools necessary to address these
opportunities and challenges affecting consumers.
Dated: September 25, 2026.
Federal Communications Commission.
Robert Garza,
Legal Advisor, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2026-20005 Filed 9-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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