CA's Bills to Restore Net Neutrality

Net Neutrality is gone. The FCC Killed it. But California can get it back and lead the Nation by Passing SB 822 & SB 460, Two Bills that Work together and are supported by Hundreds of Consumer Groups, Public Interest Groups, Progressive Organizations, Labor Organizations, and Internet Startups.

SB 822 - Communications: Broadband Internet Access Service.

This bill would enact the California Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act of 2018. This act would prohibit fixed and mobile Internet service providers, as defined, that provide broadband Internet access service, as defined, from engaging in specified actions concerning the treatment of Internet traffic. The act would prohibit, among other things, blocking lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices, impairing or degrading lawful Internet traffic on the basis of Internet content, application, or service, or use of a nonharmful device, and specified practices relating to zero-rating, as defined. It would also prohibit fixed and mobile Internet service providers from offering or providing services other than broadband Internet access service that are delivered over the same last-mile connection as the broadband Internet access service, if those services have the purpose or effect of evading the above-described prohibitions or negatively affect the performance of broadband Internet access service.

SB 460 - Communications: Broadband Internet Access Service, State Agencies.

SECTION 1. Chapter 3.51 (commencing with Section 12121) is added to Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, to read:

CHAPTER 3.51. Internet Neutrality

12121. For purposes of this chapter, “broadband Internet access service” and “Internet service provider” have the same meanings as defined in Section 3100 of the Civil Code.

12122. No state agency shall contract with an Internet service provider for the provision of broadband Internet access service unless that provider certifies in writing that both of the following conditions are met:

(a) The Internet service provider is in full compliance with Title 15 (commencing with Section 3100) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.

(b) The broadband Internet access service provided to the state agency by the Internet service provider is rendered consistent with the requirements of Title 15 (commencing with Section 3100) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.

SEC. 2. The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

SEC. 3. This act shall become operative only if Senate Bill 822 of the 2017–18 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective.

These Two Bills will Create the Strongest Net Neutrality Laws in the Nation for an Internet that's Equally Available to all.

Together, these Bills will Stop Internet Service Providers (ISP) from Blocking or Throttling some Websites, giving Paid Priority to some Websites over Others, or using Access Fees or Anti-Consumer Zero-Rating Practices that constrain Free Choice.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker