Calif. Net Neutrality Bill Headed to Governor's Desk (XBIZ)

Read the full article by Rhett Pardon at XBIZ.com

SACRAMENTO — California’s net neutrality bill, SB 822, is headed to the governor’s desk.

Friday afternoon, the piece of legislation received a majority of votes, 23-11, in the state Senate.

If Gov. Jerry Brown signs the law in the coming weeks, the state would be at the forefront of a growing number of states at odds with the FCC. The battle against net neutrality could eventually end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

SB 822 prevents ISPs from blocking, slowing or favoring certain websites. It bans the providers from collecting new fees from apps and sites as a condition of reaching internet users.

It also makes it illegal for carriers to exempt apps from consumers’ monthly data caps if it could harm competing startups and small businesses in “abusive” ways.

ISPs like Verizon, AT&T and Comcast lobbied hard against the bill, which passed the state Assembly yesterday.

More than 20 states are suing the FCC to to overturn the agency’s decision on net neutrality.