Suit to block California's net neutrality law could be overshadowed by broader challenge in DC Circuit

When the Trump administration decided to dump net neutrality rules designed to treat all data equally, the states revolted. Thirty legislatures introduced bills to prohibit internet service providers from hindering access to certain sites and charging fees for faster speeds. Four states, including California, passed laws, and six governors issued executive orders declaring they would not do business with internet providers that violated net neutrality.  The Trump administration decided to fight back and challenge California’s law, the broadest in the nation. It would restore Obama-era rules governing internet access, which barred blocking, throttling and paid prioritization and established a process for filing complaints. The broadband industry followed up with a suit of its own to block California’s law. But the bigger legal fight is being waged before the US District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals. Public interest groups, companies and 32 states, including California, have challenged the Federal Communications Commission’s decision last year to end regulation of internet providers. A ruling is expected sometime in 2019. The Trump administration’s lawsuit asks that California’s new law, which is supposed to take effect in January, be put on hold until the DC Circuit court rules.