[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S9724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     
     
        MARTHA WRIGHT-REED JUST AND REASONABLE COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 2022
     
       Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
     proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 657, S. 1541.
       The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
       The legislative clerk read as follows:
     
            A bill (S. 1541) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to 
          require the Federal Communications Commission to ensure just 
          and reasonable charges for telephone and advanced 
          communications services in correctional and detention 
          facilities.
     
       There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
     which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting 
     clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
     
          SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
     
            This Act may be cited as the ``Martha Wright-Reed Just and 
          Reasonable Communications Act of 2022''.
     
          SEC. 2. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
     
            (a) In General.--Section 276 of the Communications Act of 
          1934 (47 U.S.C. 276) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
            (A) by striking ``per call'';
            (B) by inserting ``, and all rates and charges are just and 
          reasonable,'' after ``fairly compensated'';
            (C) by striking ``each and every'';
            (D) by striking ``call using'' and inserting 
          ``communications using''; and
            (E) by inserting ``or other calling device'' after 
          ``payphone''; and
            (2) 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''.
            (b) Definition of Advanced Communications Services.--
          Section 3(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
          153(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
          and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) 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.''.
            (c) 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,''.
     
          SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION.
     
            (a) 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 Act and the 
          amendments made by this Act.
            (b) Use of Data.--In implementing this Act and the 
          amendments made by this Act, including by promulgating 
          regulations under subsection (a) and determining just and 
          reasonable rates, the Federal Communications Commission--
            (1) 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
            (2) shall consider costs associated with any safety and 
          security measures necessary to provide a service described in 
          paragraph (1) and differences in the costs described in 
          paragraph (1) by small, medium, or large facilities or other 
          characteristics.
     
          SEC. 4. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.
     
            Nothing in this Act 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.
     
       Mr. PADILLA. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported 
     substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be 
     considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to 
     reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
       The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
       Without objection, it is so ordered.
       The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute was 
     agreed to.
       The bill (S. 1541), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
     third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
     
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