SAINT PAUL, MN – On Wednesday afternoon, Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) and legislators held a press conference to announce their commitment to protecting Minnesota consumers in response to the 2017 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reversal of net neutrality. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.
“This is a significant consumer protection issue in Minnesota,” remarked Rep Stephenson. “Given the amazing power of the internet, and how it has come to impact literally every corner of our lives, every Minnesotan deserves access to a free and fair internet.”
By incorporating these consumer protections, internet companies would be prohibited from charging businesses, individual consumers, and educational institutions for the convenience of faster speed support for their websites, and would ensure that websites with less traffic or the financial ability to pay for faster speed support are protected.
“I support an open internet where online content is not blocked or slowed down by telecom, cable, or internet companies,” said Senator Latz. “Because of the connected world we live in today, the internet is an essential service for all Minnesotans. The decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hinder open internet protections will surely put many Minnesotans at an unfair economical and education disadvantage, among other things.”
HF 136 has a public hearing in the House Commerce Committee today at 2:30 p.m. The Senate’s companion bill is SF 317 and awaits a public hearing.