California Senate Takes Big Step Toward Restoring Californians’ Net Neutrality Protections

Today, the California Senate passed SB 822, a bill that would implement strong net neutrality rules in California following the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to repeal the protections last December. The bill now heads to the California State Assembly for consideration, just as the FCC’s repeal is nearing its effective date of June 11.

The California bill puts in place strong protections for consumers and businesses alike to prohibit internet service providers from blocking, throttling, and charging certain companies more for faster connections to customers, which would create internet fast and slow lanes. The bill also protects consumers from harmful interconnection disputes and problematic zero-rating practices where broadband providers prioritize their own, or affiliated, content over content from competitors.

The following quote can be attributed to Eric Null, Policy Counsel at New America’s Open Technology Institute:

“Today’s vote by the California Senate is a huge win for consumers and confirms what we have known all along: Americans want and need strong net neutrality protections to ensure a free, innovative online marketplace. With the anticipated demise of the federal net neutrality rules on June 11, the California Senate is helping to make sure its citizens do not go without these important protections. We urge the State Assembly to follow the Senate’s lead and pass this critical legislation. California should be an inspiration for other states as they attempt to fill the void left by the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality."