Federal Regulatory Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal regulatory agencies
Featured Stories
SEC Charges Ex-Investment Adviser for Allegedly Misappropriating Securities From His Clients
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 2:26-cv-00676; D. Or. filed Apr. 6, 2026) involving an ex-investment adviser for allegedly misappropriating securities from his clients:
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged former Baker City, Oregon resident Jeffrey Higgins with allegedly misappropriating more than $800,000 worth of securities from twelve of his investment advisory and brokerage clients.
The SEC's complaint alleges that, between September 2017 and February 2024, Higgins, a former registered representative
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WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 2:26-cv-00676; D. Or. filed Apr. 6, 2026) involving an ex-investment adviser for allegedly misappropriating securities from his clients:
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged former Baker City, Oregon resident Jeffrey Higgins with allegedly misappropriating more than $800,000 worth of securities from twelve of his investment advisory and brokerage clients.
The SEC's complaint alleges that, between September 2017 and February 2024, Higgins, a former registered representativeand investment adviser representative, misappropriated clients' securities through a sham investment program that he created. According to the complaint, Higgins falsely told clients that he had created an investment program to purchase discounted securities at a third-party transfer agent, and then sell the securities for a profit. The complaint alleges that, in reality, Higgins used client funds to purchase securities at the transfer agent without any discount, and used falsified documents and signatures to divert some of those securities to his personal brokerage account.
The SEC's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, charges Higgins with violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, including conduct-based injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Duncan C. Simpson LaGoy and was supervised by Erin Wilk, David Zhou, and Jason H. Lee of the SEC's San Francisco Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Mr. Simpson LaGoy and Jason M. Bussey.
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Resources
* SEC Complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/complaints/2026/comp26521.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26521
FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Issues Public Notice: Applications for Certification to National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program for State of California
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Federal Communications Commission Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued the following public notice (CG Docket No. 10-210) on April 6, 2026:
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Under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called "iCanConnect," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) may provide up to $10 million annually from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (TRS Fund) to support programs that distribute equipment to low-income individuals who are deafblind, so that these individuals can access telecommunications service,
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WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Federal Communications Commission Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued the following public notice (CG Docket No. 10-210) on April 6, 2026:
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Under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called "iCanConnect," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) may provide up to $10 million annually from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (TRS Fund) to support programs that distribute equipment to low-income individuals who are deafblind, so that these individuals can access telecommunications service,Internet access service, and advanced communications services./1 On May 17, 2022, the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB or Bureau)
certified the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (the LightHouse) to distribute equipment under the NDBEDP for California for a period of five years, from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027./2 On March 31, 2026, the LightHouse informed the Commission that it would not continue participating in the NDBEDP and that it would relinquish its certification effective June 30, 2026./3
The Commission thus invites entities interested in being certified to distribute equipment under the NDBEDP to eligible individuals in California, to apply for the certification period ending June 30, 2027, the remaining portion of the LightHouse's unexpired 5-year certification term./4 The Commission will accept applications for this purpose until May 5, 2026.
This application opportunity is solely to fulfill the remaining portion of the LightHouse's unexpired 5-year certification term, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The Commission is also currently accepting applications to serve as a NDBEDP entity for a state or territory during the next 5-year certification period, from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2032./5 Any entity interested in serving as the NBDEDP entity for California for the next 5-year certification period will be required to separately apply by June 30, 2026, following the guidance included in the Five-Year Certification Applications Public Notice./6
This Notice summarizes the qualifications for NDBEDP certification. All certified programs must comply with the Commission's NDBEDP rules./7 We encourage applicants to become familiar with the requirements for program participation and the rules governing the NDBEDP before submitting an application./8
BACKGROUND: For California, the Commission will certify a single program as the sole entity authorized to receive reimbursement from the TRS Fund for NDBEDP activities within the state./9 The certified program will have full responsibility for distributing equipment and providing related services (e.g., outreach, assessments, installation, and training) in California, either directly or through collaboration, partnership, or contract with other individuals or entities in-state or out-of-state, including other NDBEDP certified programs./10 The entity selected for certification for California will be reimbursed for eligible NDBEDP-related costs that it incurs after its selection and for the duration of its certification./11
WHO MAY APPLY? Any public or private entity may apply to the Commission for certification to participate in the NDBEDP and receive reimbursement for NDBEDP activities in California from the TRS Fund./12 For example, equipment distribution programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, assistive technology programs, schools for the deaf, blind, or deafblind, organizational affiliates, independent living centers, or private educational facilities, may apply./13 Entities based within or outside a state may apply for certification to administer any NDBEDP state program./14
FILING AN APPLICATION: There is no application form, fee, or specified format that must be used to apply for NDBEDP certification. However, applications must contain sufficient detail to demonstrate the applicant's ability to meet all criteria required for certification and must reflect the applicant's commitment to comply with all Commission requirements governing the NDBEDP./15 The Commission will review applications and will determine whether to grant certification based on the ability of an entity to meet the following qualifications, either directly or in coordination with other programs or entities, as evidenced in the application and any supplemental materials:/16
* Expertise in the field of deafblindness, including familiarity with the culture and etiquette of individuals who are deafblind./17
* The ability to communicate effectively with individuals who are deafblind (for training and other purposes), by, among other things, using sign language, providing materials in Braille, ensuring that information made available online is accessible, and using other assistive technologies and methods to achieve effective communication.
* Administrative and financial management experience needed to effectively operate a state's NDBEDP program./18
* Staffing and facilities sufficient to administer the program, including the ability to distribute equipment and provide related services to low-income individuals who are deafblind throughout the state, including those living in remote areas.
* Experience with the distribution of specialized customer premises equipment, especially to individuals who are deafblind.
* Experience in training consumers on how to use the equipment and how to set up the equipment for its effective use.
* Familiarity with telecommunications service, Internet access service, and advanced communications services.
In addition to the qualifications listed above, an applicant for certification must disclose in its application any relationship, arrangement, or agreement with a manufacturer or provider of equipment or related services that poses an actual or potential conflict of interest, as well as the steps the applicant will take to eliminate such actual or potential conflict or to minimize the associated risks./19 If an applicant for certification learns of a potential or actual conflict while its application is pending, it must immediately disclose such conflict to the Commission./20
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications electronically to NDBEDP@fcc.gov. Applications may alternatively be mailed to the following address:
NDBEDP Administrator
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street, NE
Washington, DC 20554
ACCESSIBLE FORMATS: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact NDBEDP Administrator Jackie Ellington, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-1153 or NDBEDP@fcc.gov.
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Original text plus footnotes here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-332A1.pdf
EEOC Highlights Record-Breaking Results in Agency Reports
WASHINGTON, April 6 (TNSrpt) -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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EEOC Highlights Record-Breaking Results in Agency Reports
Annual reports confirm strong results for workers through evenhanded enforcement
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today released its report on the agency's performance during fiscal year 2025 and its performance plan for fiscal year 2027.
Under the leadership of Chair Andrea Lucas and guided by President Trump's merit-based civil rights agenda, the EEOC secured $660 million for 17,680 victims
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 6 (TNSrpt) -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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EEOC Highlights Record-Breaking Results in Agency Reports
Annual reports confirm strong results for workers through evenhanded enforcement
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today released its report on the agency's performance during fiscal year 2025 and its performance plan for fiscal year 2027.
Under the leadership of Chair Andrea Lucas and guided by President Trump's merit-based civil rights agenda, the EEOC secured $660 million for 17,680 victimsof employment discrimination, marking its third-highest total monetary recovery in recent history. As part of the $660 million, the EEOC recovered $528 million through its pre-litigation enforcement process -including mediation, conciliation, and pre-cause determination settlements -the highest such recovery in the agency's 60-year history and 12% higher than fiscal year 2024; $27 million for 2,505 individuals as a result of litigation; and $104.6 million for 1,824 federal employees and applicants.
Of the $528 million record-breaking recovery in the pre-litigation enforcement process, the EEOC delivered $52.5 million for workers through the conciliation process, a 24% increase over fiscal year 2024. The agency also recovered $55 million for workers as a result of systemic investigations, a 20% increase in the number of resolutions and an approximate 115% increase in monetary benefits compared to fiscal year 2024.
"I am pleased to highlight the EEOC's results for American workers during the first year of the second Trump Presidency," said Lucas. "These record-breaking recoveries are the result of an Administration committed to upholding our nation's civil rights laws through colorblind, merit-based, and evenhanded enforcement. This EEOC is proud to deliver on that commitment and will continue to fight discrimination wherever it occurs."
The agency also increased efficiency and effectiveness while responding to an increased demand by the public for its services. In fiscal year 2025, the agency responded to nearly 270,000 inquiries, up almost 9% from fiscal year 2024; processed 88,201 new discrimination charges, which remained relatively even with fiscal year 2024; resolved 90,743 charges of discrimination, a 4% increase over fiscal year 2024; and reduced the private sector charge inventory by 4% compared to fiscal year 2024.
The EEOC also strengthened accountability in its federal sector appellate program in fiscal year 2025. Under Chair Lucas' leadership, the agency identified additional efficiencies, improved productivity, and provided more timely service and prompt appellate decisions to federal employees and agency employers, resulting in a 67% increase in federal sector appellate resolutions compared to the previous fiscal year.
The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government's employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov.
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REPORT: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/EEOC_APR_FY2025_APP_FY2027_508.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-highlights-record-breaking-results-agency-reports
SEC Charges New York-Based Investment Adviser, Its Principals in Alleged $138 Million Offering Fraud
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 26-civ-1986; E.D.N.Y. filed Apr. 3, 2026):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Vincent J. Camarda, James E. McArthur, and A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors, LLC, No. 26-civ-1986 (E.D.N.Y. filed Apr. 3, 2026)
On April 3, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged registered investment adviser A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors, LLC and its principals, Vincent J. Camarda and James E. McArthur, with allegedly perpetrating an offering fraud that raised at least $138 million from
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 26-civ-1986; E.D.N.Y. filed Apr. 3, 2026):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Vincent J. Camarda, James E. McArthur, and A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors, LLC, No. 26-civ-1986 (E.D.N.Y. filed Apr. 3, 2026)
On April 3, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged registered investment adviser A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors, LLC and its principals, Vincent J. Camarda and James E. McArthur, with allegedly perpetrating an offering fraud that raised at least $138 million fromat least 431 investors.
According to the SEC's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, from approximately June 2020 through at least December 2023, Defendants fraudulently induced their advisory clients, many of whom were elderly and financially unsophisticated, to purchase securities in the form of promissory notes issued by five high-risk private equity funds that Camarda and McArthur created, managed, and owned. As alleged, while Defendants told investors that the investments were conservative and safe and that the funds would invest in several diverse areas, in reality, four of the funds invested entirely in a high-risk mining venture and the fifth invested entirely in a start-up coffee shop company operated by Camarda's son. The complaint further alleges that Defendants failed to disclose their substantial conflicts of interest in recommending the funds to their clients, namely, that Defendants received payments in connection with the funds' investments in the mining venture and that one of the funds was created for the sole purpose of funding Camarda's son's coffee shop company. In addition, Camarda is alleged to have misappropriated approximately $1 million of client money by transferring it to his personal bank account.
The SEC's complaint, which follows a prior enforcement action against Camarda, McArthur, and A.G. Morgan, charges Defendants with violating Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The complaint seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties against all Defendants, as well as conduct-based injunctions against Camarda and McArthur.
In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York announced criminal charges against Camarda.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Laurel S. Fensterstock, Peter Mancuso, and Benjamin Mishkin, and supervised by Rebecca Reilly and Sheldon L. Pollock, all of the SEC's New York Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Ms. Fensterstock, Mr. Mancuso, and Mr. Mishkin under the supervision of Jack Kaufman. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Resources
* SEC Complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/complaints/2026/comp26520.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26520
MSPB Issues Board Decision Involving NASA Vs. Appellant Ann Murray
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Merit Systems Protection Board issued the following case report on a board decision involving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and appellant Ann Murray on April 3, 2026:
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BOARD DECISIONS
Appellant: Ann Murray
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Decision Number: 2026 MSPB 4
Docket Number: AT-0432-16-0588-P-1
Issuance Date: April 2, 2026
COMPENSATORY/CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Board found that the appellant proved her failure to accommodate claim and reversed her 2016 removal
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Merit Systems Protection Board issued the following case report on a board decision involving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and appellant Ann Murray on April 3, 2026:
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BOARD DECISIONS
Appellant: Ann Murray
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Decision Number: 2026 MSPB 4
Docket Number: AT-0432-16-0588-P-1
Issuance Date: April 2, 2026
COMPENSATORY/CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Board found that the appellant proved her failure to accommodate claim and reversed her 2016 removaland ordered her reinstatement with back pay. After reinstatement, she sought compensatory damages, including a tax offset to account for higher tax liability that would be caused by receiving multiple years of back pay in a single year. The administrative judge denied the tax offset, concluding the Board lacked authority to address tax consequences, but awarded the appellant $22,000 in nonpecuniary compensatory damages for emotional and related harm. The Board granted the appellant's petition for review, denied the agency's cross petition for review, affirmed the nonpecuniary compensatory damages award, reversed the administrative judge's findings on tax offset payments, and remanded the appeal for further development to determine whether, and in what amount, pecuniary compensatory damages for the adverse tax consequences should be awarded.
Holding: The Board is permitted to award compensatory damages for proven adverse tax consequences resulting from lump sum back pay awards when an agency is found to have engaged in prohibited discrimination and compensatory damages are authorized by law.
1. Although the Board has consistently held that it lacks the authority to remedy the tax consequences of a back pay award, the cases denying such relief either did not involve discrimination findings or predated the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and therefore are not controlling.
2. The Board considered and agreed with the EEOC that the purpose of compensatory damages is to compensate an employee for the proximate injury caused by the employment discrimination, and compensation for the adverse tax consequences of receiving a lump sum back pay award meets this criterion.
3. To prove entitlement to pecuniary compensatory damages for the adverse tax consequences, the appellant must submit evidence of the increased tax liability due to the lump sum payment of back pay. Such evidence includes detailed calculations showing the tax liability that she actually incurred for each year of the back pay period, the tax liability that she would have incurred during that period if she had received the back pay in the form of a regular salary, and the increased tax liability attributable solely to the lump sum payment.
Holding: The administrative judge correctly awarded the appellant $22,000 in nonpecuniary compensatory damages.
1. The administrative judge made sufficient factual findings concerning emotional and physical harm caused by the agency's failure to accommodate, the amount was not excessive, and was consistent with comparable Board and EEOC precedent.
2. Although the overall harm period was lengthy, much of the delay was not caused by the agency's discrimination and therefore did not warrant a higher nonpecuniary damages award.
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COURT DECISIONS
NONPRECEDENTIAL:
Bonojo v. Department of Homeland Security, No.2025-1050(Fed. Cir. Mar. 27, 2026) (MSPB Docket No. NY-0752-20-0056-I-3). The court affirmed a Board decision sustaining the agency's charges of conduct unbecoming a law enforcement officer and lack of candor and mitigating the penalty to reassignment to a non-law enforcement position. The court held that substantial evidence supported that the Board adequately considered and rejected the petitioner's self defense claim. The court determined that the petitioner waived any Fifth Amendment challenge by failing to raise it before the Board, and it rejected his argument that the Board improperly relied on potential Giglio impairment, concluding that the mitigated penalty rather than removal was reasonable and supported by the Douglas factors.
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Original text here: https://www.mspb.gov/decisions/case_reports/Case_Report_April_3_2026.pdf
FEC Issues Digest for Week of March 30 - April 3, 2026
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
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Website Initiatives
The Commission recently launched a new rulemaking search system on the FEC's website. The new system provides fast, comprehensive access to FEC rulemaking documents and is easily accessible via mobile devices. Users can search rulemaking documents by regulation number, document type, date, and more. Advanced search capabilities include keyword and Boolean options and proximity
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
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Website Initiatives
The Commission recently launched a new rulemaking search system on the FEC's website. The new system provides fast, comprehensive access to FEC rulemaking documents and is easily accessible via mobile devices. Users can search rulemaking documents by regulation number, document type, date, and more. Advanced search capabilities include keyword and Boolean options and proximityfilters that allow users to search for terms or phrases that appear within a set distance from one another. More information about the FEC's legal search system capabilities is available in the FEC's Legal Research Guide.
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Litigation
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-4072) On March 24, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Entry of Default and Default Judgment in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-4563) On March 31, the Commission filed a Notice of Lack of Quorum in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 26-213) On March 31, the Commission filed a Notice of Lack of Quorum in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Lewicki, et al. v. FEC (Case No. 24-2505) On April 2, the Commission filed an Answer in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
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Outreach
On April 1, the Commission hosted a FECFile webinar for candidate committees.
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Reports Due in 2026
The Commission has posted the 2026 Congressional Pre-Election Reporting Dates. Reporting schedules for all filers in 2026 are also available.
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Election Dates
The Commission has posted a list of 2026 Congressional Primary Dates.
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Employment opportunities
The Commission is accepting applications for the position of Senior Accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) through April 6, 2026.
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Upcoming educational opportunities
April 21-22, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for corporations and their PACs.
May 12-13, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for membership and labor organizations and their PACs.
For more information on upcoming training opportunities, see the Commission's Trainings page.
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Upcoming reporting due dates
April 15: April Quarterly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Quarterly Reporting schedule.
April 20: April Monthly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Monthly Reporting schedule.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the Georgia 14th District Special Runoff Election, scheduled for April 7, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the New Jersey 11th District Special General Election, scheduled for April 16, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the California 1st District Special General Election, scheduled for June 2, 2026, and Special Runoff Election (if necessary), scheduled for August 4, 2026.
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Additional research materials
Contribution Limits: In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal election results are available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
FEC Notify: Want to be notified by email when campaign finance reports are received by the agency? Sign up here.
The Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives, and other financial filings.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Tax Checkoff Chart provides information on balance of the Fund, monthly deposits into the Fund reported by the Department of the Treasury, payments from the Fund as certified by the FEC, and participation rates of taxpayers as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information on the Presidential Public Funding Program, see the Public Funding of Presidential Elections page.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
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Original text here: https://www.fec.gov/updates/week-of-march-30-april-3-2026/
FCC Grants Securus Video Calling Waiver Extension for Inmate Services
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Federal Communications Commission Wireline Competition Bureau has approved a request from Securus Technologies LLC, Dallas, Texas, to temporarily waive per minute pricing rules for video incarcerated people's communications services until July 6, 2026 (WC Docket Nos. 23 62 and 12 375). The order, adopted and released April 3, 2026, allows Securus to keep offering video visitation while it completes upgrades to its billing platform.
The waiver stems from the Martha Wright Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022, which requires the FCC to set "just and reasonable"
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Federal Communications Commission Wireline Competition Bureau has approved a request from Securus Technologies LLC, Dallas, Texas, to temporarily waive per minute pricing rules for video incarcerated people's communications services until July 6, 2026 (WC Docket Nos. 23 62 and 12 375). The order, adopted and released April 3, 2026, allows Securus to keep offering video visitation while it completes upgrades to its billing platform.
The waiver stems from the Martha Wright Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022, which requires the FCC to set "just and reasonable"rates for all inmate calling and video services and to ensure providers are fairly compensated. Rules issued in 2024 and 2025 lowered existing per minute rate caps for audio calls and set interim caps for video IPCS, while also banning per call and per connection fees. The latest compliance deadline for these rules is April 6, 2026.
Securus operates video IPCS across hundreds of correctional facilities using multiple platforms, each with its own per session billing system. It has been transitioning to a new platform capable of per minute billing, but technical and operational challenges have delayed the full rollout. In earlier filings it asked for extended waivers, and in March 2026 it narrowed its request to 91 additional days past the April 6 deadline, arguing that without flexibility it would either discontinue video services or provide them at a loss, potentially breaching contracts and harming incarcerated people and their families.
The FCC found "good cause" to grant the limited waiver, emphasizing that Securus must protect consumers during the transition. As of April 6, 2026, all its video IPCS rates must comply with the Commission's interim caps, including reducing per session charges at facilities not yet converted to per minute billing to an equivalent per minute rate. Securus must also implement a refund program for unused session time and issue refunds within 48 hours of call completion. In addition, it must file monthly updates with the Bureau on its progress converting remaining facilities to the new platform.
-- Vidhi Gianani, Targeted News Service
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-319A1.pdf
