Biden Signs ICS Cost-Lowering, LPTV Bills
President Joe Biden signed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act (S-1541) and Low Power Protection Act (S-3405) into law, as expected (see 2212220075), the White House said Thursday. Congress passed both measures just before Christmas. S-1541 lead sponsor…
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Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., hailed signing of her bill, which requires the FCC to factor industrywide average costs for telephone and advanced communication services, along with safety and security costs, in new correctional facility rate-setting cycles (see 2203220077). It will “help families stay connected with their incarcerated family members, reduce recidivism rates and save taxpayers’ money,” she tweeted. NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt praised Biden Friday for signing S-3405, which requires the FCC to open a window to allow low-power television stations to upgrade to better-protected Class A status (see 2206220070). It "will allow these local broadcasters to better serve their millions of viewers by hiring more journalists, investing in new equipment and transitioning to the ATSC 3.0 standard," LeGeyt said. S-3405 lead sponsors now-former Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in December lauded passage of their measure.