Levi Sumagaysay

The author of California’s network neutrality bill, which was watered down by an Assembly committee recently, is holding his nose as it’s scheduled to be heard by another committee June 26.  As amended, SB 822 does not have the impact that CA State Sen Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) intended. “The bill, in its current form, no longer protects net neutrality and is not worth passing,” State Sen Wiener said. “However, I am working with the Chair of the Communications Committee, Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, to restore the protections that the committee removed.” Wiener said.

The California State Senate approved a network neutrality bill that has been called the “gold standard” of such bills in the nation, as states grapple with a controversial repeal of Obama-era federal rules meant to ensure an open internet.

An effort to restore net neutrality protections in California moved forward despite loud opposition by internet service providers and others. SB 822, written by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), is being touted as the most comprehensive state-level net neutrality bill in the nation as states scramble ahead of the repeal of federal rules taking effect soon.

With the Federal Communications Commission order to repeal net neutrality rules set to take effect, a bill that would restore those regulations in California will get its first hearing.