Texas's net neutrality bill aims to limit emissions during disasters



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Big quote: "The fact that it is now bubbling at the state level is a good sign," said Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future, a group that wants to restore net neutrality. "But in reality, we need the FCC to do its job and make sure these companies do not act in ways that put the public at risk."

A new bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives is intended to criminalize the smothering of data services in the event of a disaster or emergency, or to declare disaster areas. The proposed legislature comes after Verizon controversially strangled the data plans of firefighters working in the Santa Clara County Fire Department. For its part, Verizon suggested an improved plan. However, Verizon is no stranger to the limitation of services, and this was a point raised recently when net neutrality went to court.

In fact, the limitation of first responders by Verizon quickly became a crucial element in the pleadings, the FCC was strongly questioned about the effect this limitation could have on future public safety. Therefore, the State of Texas has decided to take action with its current bill, HB 1426, which does not further codify the repealed rules on network neutrality – it simply prohibits disaster limitation and no other scenario.

HB 1426 joins more than 100 other bills aimed at resuscitating net neutrality at the state level. This has been another point of contention in the recent debate on both sides. The FCC alleges that such an action is illegal, while supporters of internet neutrality maintain that the FCC does not have the right to prevent states from adopting it. their own rules.

Main image courtesy of Steve Heap via Shutterstock

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