Net neutrality bill moving ahead in California

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.

Wiener’s bill is backed by Tom Wheeler, the former Federal Communications Commission chairman who wrote the 2015 Open Internet Order; California State Attorney General Xavier Becerra; the mayors of California’s biggest cities; and dozens of public advocacy groups, including the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Among other things, SB 822 prohibits blocking or throttling internet traffic, and takes aim at “zero rating,” in which internet providers exempt certain content, sites and services from data caps.

Not all votes are in, but there were enough votes, 6 to 3, for the bill to pass the state Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and head to the Judiciary Committee. One absent committee member, Sen. Nancy Skinner, is a co-sponsor of the measure.