GoKawiilCalifornia CPUC set to exempt ISPs from state net neutrality law to unlock $1.86B in BEAD funds
California's Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on a resolution that would exempt broadband providers from the state's net neutrality law in order to accept $1.86 billion in federal BEAD broadband deployment funding. The Trump administration's NTIA has required all states receiving BEAD money to waive enforcement of net neutrality and rate regulation against participating ISPs statewide, not just in funded areas, for up to 14 years. California and Illinois are the last two states yet to finalize their BEAD funding agreements.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
California fought and won a multi-year legal battle to preserve its net neutrality protections after the first Trump administration repealed federal rules, so trading that away for broadband cash marks a major reversal achieved through funding leverage rather than litigation or legislation. The 14-year statewide exemption sets a precedent that could pressure other states to weaken consumer protections in exchange for federal infrastructure dollars, effectively nationalizing a rollback of net neutrality without new federal legislation.
- CPUC vote could exempt ISPs from California's net neutrality law statewide for up to 14 years.
- The move is a condition tied to receiving $1.86 billion in federal BEAD broadband funds.
- California and Illinois are the only states that haven't yet finalized their BEAD funding deals.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-09-16
Published there as: “California may gut state net neutrality law to comply with Trump admin demand”
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