Ria, If anyone knows of teams who have, or are, collecting “FCC” fees, they should be informed that FCC fees are not yet due for amateur applications and collecting any money for this purpose is prohibited. Their VEC also should be immediately informed. All “FCC fees” paid should be refunded and records kept. There are no fees due the FCC for amateur applications as of this date. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the VEC to ensure that their VEs have the correct information. This is of some import because collecting FCC fees when not due could be considered fraudulent activity and imperil the FCC license of any VE involved, so it would be a favor to inform them directly. 97.509(e): “No VE may administer or certify any examination by fraudulent means or for monetary or other consideration including reimbursement in any amount in excess of that permitted. Violation of this provision may result in the revocation of the grant of the VE's amateur station license and the suspension of the grant of the VE's amateur operator license.” I also know that when fees do go into effect, one option for VECs is to have the individual successful candidate pay their own fee to the FCC. Each amateur has an FCC account (“FRN” number) and will be able to do so on their own after the VEC submits the paperwork for the successful examination. That would keep VEs and VECs out of collecting FCC fees and the foreseeable headaches that could go with handling federal fees. But I know the FCC also is planning to enable FCC fees to be paid via the VEC batch submission process if wanted, so I assume both will be possible. 73, Dave K3ZJ From: "rjairam@gmail.com" <rjairam@gmail.com> Date: Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 8:09 AM To: "david@davidsiddall-law.com" <david@davidsiddall-law.com> Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org>, "n8sy@n8sy.com" <n8sy@n8sy.com> Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:32544] Re: FCC's $35 fee Thanks David. On a side note I was told that some teams have started collecting the fee already. This is very concerning as they either don’t understand or are fraudulently collecting fees and pocketing the money. This thing has been an unholy mess. 73 Ria N2RJ On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 11:15 PM david davidsiddall-law.com<http://davidsiddall-law.com> <david@davidsiddall-law.com<mailto:david@davidsiddall-law.com>> wrote: Ria, I set up the meeting with the FCC, at the request of Maria. This is the re-scheduled date, the original meeting was to be last week but was postponed. The meeting’s purpose is to make sure the VECs and the FCC staff have the same understanding as to what is expected, and options, for fees collections related to examinations. Dave From: "rjairam@gmail.com<mailto:rjairam@gmail.com>" <rjairam@gmail.com<mailto:rjairam@gmail.com>> Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 10:02 PM To: "david@davidsiddall-law.com<mailto:david@davidsiddall-law.com>" <david@davidsiddall-law.com<mailto:david@davidsiddall-law.com>> Cc: "n8sy@n8sy.com<mailto:n8sy@n8sy.com>" <n8sy@n8sy.com<mailto:n8sy@n8sy.com>>, arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org<mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org>> Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:32544] Re: FCC's $35 fee Also, I've confirmed that the FCC is meeting with VECs on July 15 to discuss implementation of the fees. This was forwarded to me by someone with another VEC. Did anyone else know about this? This seems like something we should have known? Thanks Ria N2RJ On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 2:39 PM david davidsiddall-law.com<http://davidsiddall-law.com> <david@davidsiddall-law.com<mailto:david@davidsiddall-law.com>> wrote: This is not correct. The FCC is phasing fees in by bureau, as work is completed on the licensing system. The FCC statement referred to below explicitly states that the July 15 date is for licensees regulated by the Media Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology. Radio amateurs are regulated by the Wireless Bureau. There is no time set (yet) for amateur licensing fees to become effective, although it is expected within the next month or two. Dave K3ZJ David R. Siddall Managing Partner DS Law, PLLC 1629 K St. NW, Ste 300<https://www.google.com/maps/search/1629+K+St.+NW,+Ste+300+%0D%0A+Washington,+DC+20006?entry=gmail&source=g> Washington, DC 20006<https://www.google.com/maps/search/1629+K+St.+NW,+Ste+300+%0D%0A+Washington,+DC+20006?entry=gmail&source=g> direct: +1 202 559 4690 Unauthorized Disclosure Prohibited. This e-mail is intended solely for the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, it is prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute, or use the contents of this email and its attachments. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all electronic and physical copies of the e-mail message and its attachments. Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of attorney-client or any other privilege. Thank you. From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org<mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org>> on behalf of "n8sy@n8sy.com<mailto:n8sy@n8sy.com>" <n8sy@n8sy.com<mailto:n8sy@n8sy.com>> Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 12:57 PM To: 'arrl-odv' <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org<mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org>> Subject: [arrl-odv:32542] FCC's $35 fee FYI… This is now appearing on Facebook.. Frederick Laube Dayton Hamvention Fanatics FCC $35 FEE Effective Date is July 15 From today's Federal Register: Schedule of Application Fees of the Commission's Rules AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Public notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commission announces the effective date of new application fee rates for the Office of Engineering and Technology and for Media Services. DATES: Applicable July 15, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roland Helvajian, Office of Managing Director at (202) 418-0444. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission adopted new application fee rates in a Report and Order, FCC 20-184, MD Docket No. 20-270, adopted on December 23, 2020 and released on December 29, 2020. This document provides notice that new application fee rates will become effective on July 15, 2021 for the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Media Bureau. DA 21-747 Released: June 25, 2021 Fred AK8X Scott Yonally, N8SY Great Lakes Division Vice Director ARRL - The National Association For Amateur Radio™ n8sy@arrl.org<mailto:n8sy@arrl.org> 419-512-4445 419-756-5046 _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org<mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv
