Chuck-
OCCOM's Razor----The simplest explaination is usually the correct one..
It is a HOAX...
The FCC about 2 -3 years ago became "self funding" in other words, unlike Iraq, Germany, Japan, Mexic, the US government is not giving them a dime.
Therefore the FCC instituted fees to raise revenue to pay the staff they reduced by 1/3. They are making money hand over fist with people mailing in $35 checks for GMRS licenses what cost them pennies to post on the internet. So family business can make even more money.. Now in their infinate wisdom, they do not license CBers as like motorcycle gangs, the FCC is afraid of them. They do however exploit Amateur Radio because of the school yard picking Hams have been know for for 100 years.
There would be no need for collecting fees from Amateurs who can not conduct busienss, when the FCC gets 10 times the money from GMRS and even more if they were to license CBers.. A requirement by international law that is ignored as part of the 2 tiered government justice system.
If the FCC were to in force violations and collect fines, they woul dall be driving $90,000 Tesla's, Corvettes, Mercedes, or Land Rovers.
And don't claim enforcement is tough when people for instance build, sell, buy, and brag about their CB linear amps on Facebook, or any other blog that caters to that group. Legally it's prima facea evidence of violating the law and could be handled like shooting fish in a bucket..
Taxing unused repeaters is as hokey as taxing antenna's.....
There is a movement under the forestry service,by tree huggers who want to remove all repeaters, including state police repeaters from federal land.. It's Black Lives matters merging with the moon bat tree huggers, wanting all mountain tops pristine for bald eagles and grizzley bears. To them all radio towers are unsightly and radiate evil radio waves.. Their ignorance shows when they hold their $1400 Iphone to their ear to call their dope dealer.. or their mommy as to why they didn't send the allowance this week.