Attorney General Bonta Issues Statement Applauding FCC’s Proposed Net Neutrality Draft Order

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement applauding the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) draft order proposing to reestablish federal net neutrality protections and concluding that California’s own net neutrality law is consistent with the proposed rules and should stay on the books. 

“Everyone deserves equal access to the internet,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California has led the way in protecting the open internet since 2018, when we passed Senate Bill 822, the nation’s strongest state net neutrality law. Since then, SB 822 has been instrumental in protecting internet access for California’s 39 million residents. I commend the federal government for moving to reestablish net neutrality rules nationwide and applaud the draft order for acknowledging the important role states like California play in protecting net neutrality.”

Last year, the FCC proposed to reestablish nationwide net neutrality protections, and issued a request for public comment. Attorney General Bonta filed a public comment letter expressing California’s support for strong net neutrality rules for all Americans, but also urging the FCC not to preempt parallel state net neutrality laws like SB 822. In the draft order, the FCC agrees, noting that “California law generally tracks the federal rules we restore today,” and finding “[no] reason at this time to preempt California from independently enforcing” federal or state net neutrality requirements. The FCC is scheduled to vote on the draft order at their next Open Commission Meeting on April 25, 2024.

Net neutrality rules protect consumers by allowing them to access online content without manipulative and anticompetitive interference from internet service providers. In 2018, under the Trump Administration, the FCC repealed federal net neutrality regulations. In response, California and other states enacted their own net neutrality laws to protect residents within their jurisdictions. California passed SB 822 to enshrine net neutrality rules into state law.