California may abandon enforcement of its state net neutrality law to access $1.86 billion in federal broadband grants from the BEAD program, which the Trump administration now conditions on states not regulating ISPs. This represents a shift from the first Trump administration's failed attempt to preempt state net neutrality laws, now using financial leverage instead.
Background
The BEAD program allocates $42 billion in federal broadband funding nationwide, with California receiving a significant portion. Net neutrality rules have been in a legal ping-pong between administrations since the FCC repealed federal rules in 2017 under the first Trump administration.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026 at 03:36 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10