On June 22, 2021 FCC the FCC released circulation draft for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in MB Docket 21-263 that intends to merely harmonize and/or streamline codified regulation regarding broadcast AM/FM stations. There are nominal changes -- if maybe just paperwork conveniences and slight ease of proposals for certain stations, such in the Case of Class D. In all:
1. Eliminate the maximum rated transmitter power limit rule for AM stations set out in section 73.1665(b);
2. Update the NCE FM community of license coverage requirement set out in sections 73.316(c)(2)(ix)(B) and 73.1690(c)(8)(i) to match that used in section 73.515;
3. Eliminate the requirement that applicants demonstrate the effect of any FM applicant transmitting antenna on nearby FM or TV broadcast antennas set out in section 73.316(d);
4. Update the signal strength contour overlap requirements for NCE FM Class D stations set out in section 73.509(b) to harmonize with the contour overlap requirements for all other NCE FM stations, set out in section 73.509(a);
5. Eliminate the requirement for broadcast services to protect grandfathered common carrier services in Alaska operating in the 76-100 MHz frequency band set out in sections 73.501(b), 74.1202(b)(3), the second sentence of 74.702(a)(1), and the second sentence of 74.786(b) given that there are no longer such common carrier services;
6. Amend the definition of an “AM fill-in area” set out in section 74.1201(j) to conform to section 74.1201(g); 7. Amend the allocation and power limitations for broadcast stations within 320 kilometers of the Mexican and Canadian borders, set out in sections 73.207(b) and 74.1235(d), to comply with current treaty provisions.