Consumer Net Neutrality Protection Act of 2020
Introduced: February 4, 2020
Co-introducers: Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, and Mary Cheh
Summary: To prohibit fixed and mobile internet service providers that provide broadband internet access service from engaging in specified actions concerning the treatment of lawful Internet traffic, among other things, such as blocking lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices, impairing or degrading lawful internet traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, or use of a nonharmful device, and specified practices relating to zero-rating; and to prohibit fixed and mobile internet service providers from offering or providing services other than broadband internet access services that are delivered over the same last-mile connection as the broadband internet access service, if those services have the purpose or effect of evading the above-described prohibitions or negatively affecting performance or broadband internet access service.
Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Today, along with Councilmembers Silverman, Cheh, Bonds, I am introducing the Consumer Net Neutrality Protection Act of 2020 which would codify net neutrality protections for the District of Columbia and its residents.
In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Obama appointees, established net neutrality protections for telecommunications services: prohibiting the blocking of lawful internet content, throttling, and paid prioritization of content.
But in 2017, under a Trump-appointed Chairman, the FCC repealed those protections, endangering our residents’ access to an open internet.
With the repeal of these net neutrality protections, Internet service providers are permitted to block or slow down Internet access, demand pay-to play from websites and apps, or otherwise interfere with our residents’ open access to the Internet.
While federal courts ultimately upheld the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality protections, at the same time they left the door open for states and local governments to write their own regulations.
The bill I propose today will benefit all internet users in the District of Columbia by establishing our own net neutrality protections that prohibit discriminatory, anti-consumer, and anti-competitive conduct by broadband providers.
ISPs will be prohibited from discriminating against information and lawful internet traffic by blocking, slowing down, or engaging in paid prioritization.
A free and open Internet is critical to our society. Consumers rely on broadband connectivity to drive growth, personal and community development, but also to facilitate public debate and government accountability.
It is crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who rely on the open internet to launch their enterprises, create markets, advertise their products and services, and reach consumers.
It is also integral to our political system and the right to free speech. Without net neutrality, movements like Black Lives Matter, Me Too, and protests against the president’s Muslim ban may never have happened.
At present, 9 states have enacted their own versions of net neutrality legislation. And, 34 states have introduced legislation attempting to reestablish net neutrality protections.
If passed, we will join states like California, Washington, New York, and many other jurisdictions in declaring our commitment to ensuring an open and free Internet for all, and ensuring our commitment to transparency, and nondiscriminatory practices for our networks.
Every DC resident has the right to equal access of all lawful content using any lawful device in the District. And we as elected leaders must stand up for that right.
Thank you, and I welcome any co-sponsors.