A bill in California that faced opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce, intended to increase internet service costs, has hit a roadblock in the state legislature, likely bringing it to a standstill for the year.
The bill in question, SB 1179 (Durazo; D-Los Angeles), aimed to impose price controls on broadband services and slow down the deployment of broadband services across the state. The California Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about the bill's provisions, particularly regarding affordability and federal preemption.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, the bill's requirement for internet service providers to offer affordable home internet service under specific terms, including a maximum monthly cost of $30, conflicts with federal regulations on rate regulation. The Chamber also highlighted that the bill fails to address the larger issue of continued funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) by the federal government.
The ACP, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, provides monthly assistance of $30 to low-income households to ensure access to broadband services. Service providers in California participate in the ACP, offering plans with speeds up to 100 Megabits per second at little to no cost for eligible individuals.
The California Chamber of Commerce emphasized that the bill's requirements for service providers to determine program eligibility and offer affordable plans directly conflict with the current administration of the ACP. They stated that service providers do not typically collect personal income information from consumers, as broadband service availability is not income-dependent.
Moreover, the Chamber expressed concerns about the bill's impact on service providers and state agencies, highlighting potential uncertainties and disruptions in critical state internet services. They warned that the bill's vague metrics for compliance and arbitrary timeframes for enrollment could lead to interruptions in essential services provided by contractors to various public institutions across the state.
Overall, the stalling of SB 1179 reflects the complex challenges and considerations surrounding internet affordability and regulation, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of addressing broader funding issues while ensuring the continuity of essential internet services in California.