[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 158 (Thursday, September 29, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5715-S5716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 6187. Ms. DUCKWORTH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 5499 submitted by Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) 
and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 7900, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2023 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. MARTHA WRIGHT-REED JUST AND REASONABLE 
                   COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 2021.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Martha 
     Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2021''.
       (b) Technical Amendments.--
       (1) In general.--Section 276 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 276) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
       (i) by striking ``per call'';
       (ii) by inserting ``, and all rates and charges are just 
     and reasonable,'' after ``fairly compensated'';
       (iii) by striking ``each and every'';
       (iv) by striking ``call using'' and inserting 
     ``communications using''; and
       (v) by inserting ``or other calling device'' after 
     ``payphone''; and
       (B) in subsection (d), by inserting ``and advanced 
     communications services described in subparagraphs (A), (B), 
     (D), and (E) of section 3(1)'' after ``inmate telephone 
     service''.
       (2) Definition of advanced communications services.--
     Section 3(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
     153(1)) is amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) any audio or video communications service used by 
     inmates for the purpose of communicating with individuals 
     outside the correctional institution where the inmate is 
     held, regardless of technology used.''.
       (3) Application of the act.--Section 2(b) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 152(b)) is amended by 
     inserting ``section 276,'' after ``sections 223 through 227, 
     inclusive,''.
       (c) Implementation.--
       (1) Rulemaking.--Not earlier than 18 months and not later 
     than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Federal Communications Commission shall promulgate any 
     regulations necessary to implement this section and the 
     amendments made by this section.
       (2) Use of data.--In implementing this section and the 
     amendments made by this section, including by promulgating 
     regulations under subsection (a) and determining just and 
     reasonable rates, the Federal Communications Commission--
       (A) may use industry-wide average costs of telephone 
     service and advanced communications services and the average 
     costs of service of a communications service provider; and
       (B) shall consider costs associated with any safety and 
     security measures necessary to provide a service described in 
     subparagraph (A) and differences in the costs described in 
     subparagraph (A) by small, medium, or large facilities or 
     other characteristics.

[[Page S5716]]

       (d) Effect on Other Laws.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to modify or affect any Federal, State, or local 
     law to require telephone service or advanced communications 
     services at a State or local prison, jail, or detention 
     facility or prohibit the implementation of any safety and 
     security measures related to such services at such 
     facilities.
                                 ______