(STATEHOUSE) – Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has reappointed State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) to serve on the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC).
The CAC provides advice and recommendations to the FCC on consumer matters as specified by the Commission relating to the needs and interests of consumers.
The FCC specifies topics the CAC may consider, which may include:
- Consumer protection and education;
- Implementation of statutes, Commission rules and policies to protect consumers;
- Promoting consumer participation and input into FCC rulemaking proceedings and other decision-making processes; and
- Reviewing the impact of new and emerging communications technologies on consumers, including those in underserved populations.
Recommendations are made by the committee to the FCC on the specified topics. In addition, the CAC gathers data and information and performs analyses that are necessary to respond to the questions or matters before it. The committee reports to the FCC Chairman.
The CAC consists of a diverse mix of organizations and individuals representing consumers, the communications industry, government regulators, trade associations, academia, and other stakeholders.
Sen. Koch, a telecommunications policy leader in the Indiana legislature, chairs the Senate Committee on Utilities, which has jurisdiction over state telecommunications issues. He serves Indiana Senate District 44, which includes all or portions of Brown, Bartholomew, Monroe, Lawrence, and Jackson counties. He focuses on energy, telecommunications, and water policy interactions in Indiana and nationally.
