NCGA
Signs on to Petition Requesting Stay of ‘No-Fax’ Rules
(8-18-04)
The National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) recently added its name to a petition calling
on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend a stay
on the implementation of new rules regarding the use of facsimiles.
In 2003, the FCC adopted
language that would require an association or business to receive
written consent from potential fax recipients before faxing any
information. In response to opposition from the business and association
community, the regulation was stayed until Jan. 1, 2005.
Given the prospect of
congressional action that would effectively annul the regulation,
NCGA and nearly 600 other businesses and associations are now requesting
an extension of the stay until June 30, 2005.
“An extension of
the stay is in the public interest,” according to the petition.
“Congress is currently considering amendments…that would
reinstate the established business relationship exemption for faxed
(communications).”
In a letter sent to the
House of Representatives in April, NCGA CEO Rick Tolman said the
“no-fax” regulations would significantly disrupt the
communications structure of the association.
“The new FCC regulations
would have a tremendous impact on how our association gives and
receives critical information,” the letter states. “The
implementation process that NCGA would encounter in order to receive
more than 33,000 express written invitations…to send a fax
is overwhelming.”
To view the
petition, click
here.