Despite emphasizing cost-cutting since taking the helm, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is seeking a larger budget for fiscal year 2026. In its new proposal to Congress, the Commission is requesting $552.8 million, a 4.2% increase over its fiscal year 2025 allocation, even as it plans to reduce its workforce to the lowest levels in modern agency history.
The FCC’s proposed headcount for FY 2026 is 1,404 full-time equivalents (FTEs), down from 1,478 in the current fiscal year. This move reflects a broader strategy: shift from a large staff toward greater reliance on technology and internal efficiencies to manage regulatory oversight.
For radio broadcasters, the proposed budget carries several implications. While staffing continues to decline, the FCC is signaling a renewed emphasis on compliance, digital infrastructure, and emergency alert systems. This means licensees can expect tighter enforcement and more automated oversight, especially in areas like public file maintenance and EAS readiness.
A key component of the proposal is the $416 million budget for regulatory fee collection and associated bureau operations, up 6.6% from last year. The Media Bureau, which oversees licensing, ownership rules, and public file compliance, is flat-funded at $28.8 million but will lose two staff positions, bringing it to 112 FTEs.
The Enforcement Bureau is slated to receive $46 million—up slightly from $45.9 million—despite a reduction of 10 positions, for a total of 174 FTEs. This suggests continued investment in investigative tools and remote enforcement capabilities, particularly for pirate broadcasting and other infractions.
Funding for the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau remains unchanged at $28.1 million, although its workforce will drop to 110 FTEs. That bureau remains central to EAS oversight, and the budget outlines plans to expand multilingual alerting.
One of the largest increases comes in the Office of Managing Director, whose budget would rise from $99.3 million to $123.5 million. That jump reflects ongoing efforts to modernize IT systems, including the LMS and Public Inspection File platforms. The Office of Inspector General will also see a boost—from $12.1 million to $13.5 million—signaling more internal audits and licensee scrutiny.
Despite these changes, the Commission does not expect major revisions to the regulatory fee structure, suggesting costs to broadcasters will remain relatively stable for now.