Senator Wiener’s Statement on Agreement to Delay Implementation of California’s Net Neutrality Law Pending Resolution of Appeal of FCC Order

San Francisco— Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement regarding the agreement to temporarily delay implementation of California’s net neutrality law, which Senator Wiener authored as Senate Bill 822:

“Today, Attorney General Xavier Becerra entered into an agreement with the parties suing California over our net neutrality law to stay the litigation and temporarily delay implementation of the law. The delay will remain in effect pending resolution of the appeal of the FCC’s order ending federal net neutrality protections, currently pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Of course, I very much want to see California’s net neutrality law go into effect immediately, in order to protect access to the internet. Yet, I also understand and support the Attorney General’s rationale for allowing the DC Circuit appeal to be resolved before we move forward to defend our net neutrality law in court. After the DC Circuit appeal is resolved, the litigation relating to California’s net neutrality law will then move forward.

Particularly in light of the Trump Administration’s decision to end federal net neutrality protections, California has the power - indeed, the responsibility - to protect access to the internet by our residents, businesses, first responders, healthcare providers, and others. This fight is about protecting the health, safety, and vitality of our state. Net neutrality ensures open access to the internet and guarantees that each of us can decide for ourselves where to go on the internet, as opposed to internet service providers making that decision for us. I look forward to successful litigation on this issue and to the restoration of strong net neutrality protections in our state.”