Author: Levi Sumagaysay / Source: The Mercury News
After a hard-fought battle, California’s net neutrality bill is now all but certain to make it to the finish line that is Gov.
Jerry Brown’s desk — where a signature from the governor will restore tight internet regulations to the nation’s most important market.The Assembly on Thursday voted 61-18 to pass what has been called the most comprehensive net neutrality bill in the nation, an answer to the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of Obama-era regulations. Going into the legislative session this week, it was unclear whether the measure would get 41 votes, the minimum required to pass. But six Republicans voted for the bill after a contentious debate.
SB 822 now heads back to the state Senate, which must look at amendments introduced to the bill after senators endorsed it in May. The Senate is expected to pass it Friday, the last day of the legislative session, and the governor will have about a month to consider it.
Gov. Brown’s office said he would not be commenting on SB 822. He has not taken a public position on net neutrality.
The Trump FCC’s repeal of the 2015 Open Internet order — which was approved last year and took effect this summer — has sparked efforts by many U.S. states to enact their own rules to prohibit the blocking or throttling of internet traffic. A California law could have nationwide implications, since internet service providers are loath to operate under multiple sets of rules.
“New York has already committed to follow what California does,” said Ernesto Falcon, legislative counsel for internet advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation, on Thursday. “This (bill) will catch on and affect the debate.”
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced SB 822 in January. It has since encountered numerous obstacles that included being rendered practically…
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