California fights "preposterous" Trump admin demand to scrap state broadband laws
Summary
California is accepting $1.42 billion in federal broadband grants but disputes a Trump administration condition that would bar the state from enforcing net neutrality and other telecom rules against funded internet providers. The state says it may challenge the condition and will hold grant payments to providers until it resolves the disagreement with the federal government.Key Facts
- The grants come from the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
- California plans to use $1.42 billion to bring broadband service to 270,571 locations and could receive up to $1.86 billion overall.
- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration requires states to agree not to enforce rate regulation or net neutrality rules on providers receiving program funds.
- California Public Utilities Commission President John Reynolds said the agency does not accept conditions that are unconstitutional or unauthorized by law.
- Reynolds said the commission cannot stop other state agencies from enforcing California laws.
- California said it will not distribute the funds to internet providers until it resolves its differences with the federal agency.
- The NTIA said the award terms remain in force and that the commission’s letter is not part of the agreement.
- California could sue the Trump administration if the NTIA does not change its position.
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