A while back the FCC asked for comments about GMRS, but since then there has been no further word on the subject and certainly no new NPRM regarding GMRS has been issued by them. From regular reading of this Board, the consensus is that any possible GMRS rule changes are 'way off in the future.
Is 2012 way off in the future?
The final decision in the NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) for GMRS changes is very much in process, having been completed at the staff level and is now under review by the top officials in the wireless bureau.
It has to be OK'd by other parts of the FCC -- especially engineering and enforcement, which it could greatly impact -- and should land in the Commissioners' inbox for their vote I would think by the end of 2Q 2012 if not before.
We will probably see the changes take effect by the end of 2012.
New nominees for FCC Commissioner are now in the running, and if they were to take office, that could delay things. For example this dude:
http://www.indiawest.com/news/1495-ajit-pai-nominated-as-commissioner-to-fcc.html
On the other hand, GMRS might as well be an alien planet at those top levels of the FCC. Nobody knows what it is if it is not spectrum worth billions, and does not have lobbyists coming in every day. They may have an idea what ham radio is but GMRS is way down in the techie. Thus the changes can glide through without anyone important caring about it.
Note that this GMRS NPRM is not to be confused with another one affecting GMRS that the FCC has said would be issued by the end of 2011. That one is concerned with the license fees only. Still waiting on that.