California Assembly member Tasha Boerner has shelved her proposed bill requiring internet service providers to offer affordable broadband options to low-income residents. The decision comes in response to significant changes under the BEAD program, raising concerns about federal overreach and legal uncertainties. The bill aimed to ensure eligible households could purchase internet service at a maximum cost of $15 per month with specific minimum speed requirements. Boerner plans to continue efforts to expand the state's Lifeline telecommunications program for home internet support.
"Due to President Trump's drastic new changes to the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, I have made the difficult decision to shelve my legislation that requires internet service providers to provide affordable home broadband internet to low-income Californians. The new BEAD program regulations push the bounds of federal jurisdiction over state's rights."
"Although I fundamentally disagree about the federal government's authority to preempt California's rights in this space, the change has introduced too much legal uncertainty and put at risk $1.86 billion dollars in federal broadband infrastructure funding."
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