WASHINGTON, May 1, 2025 – The California State Assembly's communications committee advanced two broadband bills Wednesday, both of which will now be taken up by the chamber’s appropriations committee.
The committee cleared the California Affordable Home Internet Act, which would require broadband providers to charge no more than $15 per month for service to low-income households. Speeds would have to be at least 100 megabits per second download and 20 Mbps upload, in line with the federal definition of high-speed broadband, and eligibility would be tied to participation in certain public assistance programs.
Lawmakers are now considering working a carve-out into the bill for ISPs with fewer than 50,000 subscribers. The bill’s author Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, emphasized the legislation was still a work in progress and that she was open to negotiating with stakeholders on tailoring the bill.