California may gut state net neutrality law to comply with Trump admin demand
Summary
California is close to accepting $1.86 billion in federal broadband grants, but the Trump administration requires states to stop enforcing net neutrality rules on internet providers that get this money. California’s net neutrality law protects internet users by preventing providers from blocking or slowing down online content, but accepting the grant would force the state to weaken these protections.Key Facts
- The Trump administration’s BEAD program provides $42 billion for expanding broadband internet across the U.S.
- States must agree not to enforce net neutrality or set price rules on internet providers receiving these federal funds.
- California won a court battle to keep its own net neutrality law, which stops internet providers from blocking or slowing lawful internet traffic.
- The state could lose the ability to regulate internet providers in this way for up to 14 years if it accepts the funds.
- California and Illinois are the only states that have not finalized their broadband funding plans under BEAD.
- The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on a plan to accept the federal money, which could affect the state’s net neutrality law.
- Advocacy groups urge California to protect its net neutrality law and consider legal action against the Trump administration’s conditions.
- The Trump administration’s rules bar state enforcement of net neutrality across the entire state, not just in areas getting funded.
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