SB 822, authored by Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)
and Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), prohibits
blocking websites, speeding up or slowing down websites or
whole classes of applications such as video. Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) are prohibited from circumventing
these protections at the point where data enters their
networks and from charging access fees to reach ISP
customers. SB 822 also bans ISPs from violating net
neutrality by not counting the content and websites they
own against subscribers??™ data caps. This kind of
abusive and anti-competitive "zero rating," which leads to
lower data caps for everyone, would be prohibited, while
"zero-rating" plans that don't harm consumers are
allowed.
The petitions were gathered on petitions hosted by the
California Clean Money Action Fund (a coalition
petition with 19 sponsors), Center for Media Justice,
Consumers Union,
Courage Campaign, CREDO,
Daily Kos (a coalition petition with 13 sponsors),
Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Fight for the
Future, with some gathered on paper petitions by California
Clean Money Campaign volunteers.
"The Federal Communications Commission is abdicating its
responsibility to enforce net neutrality, so California has
no choice but to act to ensure that the internet remains a
free and open space for speech, commerce, and
association," said Trent Lange, President of
the California Clean Money Campaign, and a PhD in
Computer Science. "That's why a coalition of hundreds of
state and national public interest, consumer, labor, and
progressive organizations have teamed up with small
businesses and internet startups to ask Governor Brown to
sign SB 822 to protect California and to lead the
nation."
"Our democracy relies on an Internet where information
is free and accessible. SB 822 enshrines these principles
and fully restores popular net neutrality protections the
Federal Communications Commission struck down last
year," said Nicolas Heidorn, Policy Director of
California Common Cause. "That's why Common
Cause urges Governor Brown to sign SB 822."
"On Governor Jerry Brown's desk is yet the latest
opportunity to oppose the undemocratic agenda of the Trump
administration. By signing SB 822 into law, Governor Brown
will deliver the strongest Net Neutrality protections ever
afforded to Californians and keep the Internet a platform
where everyone's voices are treated equally," said
Steven Renderos, Campaign Director of the Center
for Media Justice. "For communities living at
the margins, the Internet is a vital tool in our struggle
for civil rights and economic equity. We urge Governor
Brown to act with haste and sign SB 822."
"California's net neutrality legislation restores
critical consumer protections that will ensure the internet
returns to what we have known it to be for years -- an open
marketplace where every voice has the opportunity to be
heard. With the repeal of federal net neutrality rules in
full effect, time is of the essence," said
Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for
Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer
Reports. "We urge Governor Brown to swiftly
sign SB822 into law and send a powerful message that net
neutrality is here to stay."
"With the strongest net neutrality legislation in the
country, California is leading the way in guaranteeing
access to the internet for all. Protecting access to the
internet and the free flow of information online is
critical to our democracy and this bill is an important
first step to reinstating net neutrality across
America," said Eddie Kurtz, Executive Director
of Courage Campaign. "We expect Governor Brown
to show similar leadership and swiftly sign this
legislation into law."
"When Trump's FCC gave up its role in defending internet
users in favor of enriching Big Telecom, Californians
stepped up to protect the future of the internet," said
Brandy Doyle, Campaign Manager of CREDO
Action. "Net neutrality is a priority for
Californians. It's time for Gov. Brown to stand with us in
fighting back against the Trump FCC's attack on the open
internet and sign SB 822 into law."
"Saving net neutrality is a vital issue that impacts all
aspects of Americans' daily lives. A free and open internet
provides critical access to education resources, news and
information, community empowerment tools, and so much
more," said Carolyn Fiddler, Communications
Director of Daily Kos. "Signing SB 822 into law
is the right thing for Gov. Brown to do, and it will
provide a crucial template for other states to follow in
the effort to remedy the damage done to internet fairness
by the Trump administration."
"SB 822 is the gold standard of state net neutrality
protections, helping to secure a free and open Internet for
Californians," said Katharine Trendacosta,
Policy Analyst of the Electronic Frontier
Foundation. "Net neutrality drives innovation
and protects speech, and that is why it must be defended
and why we're asking Governor Brown to sign it to lead the
nation."
"Defending net neutrality is the free speech fight of
our generation," said Evan Greer, Deputy
Director of Fight for the Future. "SB 822
passed the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan
support, despite fierce lobbying from the telecom industry.
California has a chance to lead the charge to restore the
free and open Internet for the entire country. Governor
Brown should sign this bill and then every other state
should follow suit."
"Voices for Progress members are business owners,
entrepreneurs, and others who believe the best ideas come
forward when competition is not stifled online and everyone
has a chance to compete on a fair playing field. That's
what allowed many of them to create thriving businesses at
the top levels in their fields, and they want that
opportunity for others. The net neutrality protections
contained in Senate Bill 822 will allow small businesses
and start-up companies to compete online against
deep-pocketed, well-established companies who would
otherwise have a tremendously unfair advantage," said
Sandra Fluke, California State and Western Region
Director of Voices for Progress. "Voices for
Progress members strongly urge Governor Brown to sign SB
822 so that every entrepreneur has an equal opportunity to
create their own success."