# 2026-03844: FCC Bosses Get Claim-Settling Superpowers: Faster Tort Payouts Ahead

2026-03844, Delegations of Authority, is a Federal Register rule from Federal Communications Commission published 2026-02-26, effective 2026-02-26; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03844
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03844
- Title: Delegations of Authority
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Federal Communications Commission
- Citation: 91 FR 9473
- Published: 2026-02-26
- Effective: 2026-02-26
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FCC Bosses Get Claim-Settling Superpowers: Faster Tort Payouts Ahead

## Summary

The FCC just boosted the power of its Chairman and Managing Director to settle certain claims without needing a full Commission vote. Now, they can handle Federal Tort Claims up to $25,000 and Military Personnel claims up to $40,000, matching federal law limits. These changes take effect on February 26, 2026, making claim settlements faster and more efficient—no extra costs or paperwork for small businesses.

## Abstract

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) modifies its rules regarding the delegated authority of the Chairman and the Managing Director to settle claims filed against the agency under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act (MPCECA).

## Effects PRIA read

- FTCA Settlement Authority Raised to $25,000: benefit, medium. The FCC now allows the Chairman to settle Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claims against the agency when damages do not exceed $25,000. This change takes effect February 26, 2026 and raises the Chairman's previous $5,000 settlement limit to $25,000, matching the FTCA statutory limit.
- Managing Director Can Settle MPCECA Claims up to $40,000: benefit, medium. The FCC delegates authority to the Managing Director, with General Counsel concurrence, to settle Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act (MPCECA) claims up to $40,000. This change is effective February 26, 2026 and aligns the Managing Director's delegation with the MPCECA statutory l…
- No New Paperwork Burden for Small Businesses: benefit, low. The FCC states the amended rules do not create new or modified information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act, and therefore do not create new information collection burdens for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. This determination is part of the rule adopt…

## Related documents

- [2026-20591](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20591): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20590](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20590): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20676](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20676): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20607](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20607): Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20681](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20681): Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20486](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20486): Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-06

## Sources
- [2026-03844 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/26/2026-03844/delegations-of-authority)
- [2026-03844 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-26/pdf/2026-03844.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-03820, Wyoming: Approval of State Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03820)
- [Next: 2026-03856, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03856)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03844 (as of 2026-06-11).