§159 Regulatory Fees

Summary

The Commission must charge and collect regulatory fees to pay for the work listed in section 156(a), but only up to the total amounts set by Appropriations Acts. Each year the Commission must make a fee schedule that aims to bring in the expected amount for that fiscal year. It must change the schedule if the number of fee-paying units goes up or down or to make sure the needed total is collected. When it adjusts fees, it may round them to the nearest $5 increment. The Commission may also amend fees to reflect the full-time equivalent employees in its bureaus and other factors tied to the benefits to the fee-payer, but it cannot change the total amount required for the year. Fees do not apply to government or nonprofit entities, amateur radio licensees under part 97, or noncommercial radio or TV stations. If collecting a fee would cost more than the fee, the Commission may exempt that payer. Collected fees go to the account that funds the section 156(a) activities, and any amount collected above the Appropriations Acts limit must be sent to the Treasury’s general fund to reduce the deficit.