Signed by Governor Phil Scott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires internet providers to comply with state net neutrality rules.

Highlights:

• Establishes a certificate of net neutrality compliance to be granted to an Internet service provider that (Sec. 2):

• Does not:

• Block lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices;

• Impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic;

• Engage in paid prioritization;

• Interfere with or disadvantage a customer’s ability to select, access, and use broadband Internet access service, lawful Internet content, applications, or services, or an edge provider’s ability to make lawful content, applications, services, or devices available to a customer; or

• Engage in deceptive or misleading marketing practices that misrepresent the treatment of Internet traffic or content to its customers; and

• Publicly discloses accurate information to consumers concerning the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its broadband Internet access services.

• Authorizes the Secretary of Administration to develop a process certifying that an Internet service provider is in compliance with the consumer protection and net neutrality standards established in the preceding highlight (Sec. 2).

• Establishes certain exceptions to the ban on paid prioritization if the Internet service provider can demonstrate significant public interest benefits without harming the open nature of the Internet in Vermont (Sec. 2).

• Defines “broadband internet access service” as a mass-market retail service by wire or radio in Vermont that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service, but excluding dial-up Internet access service (Sec. 2).

• Defines “edge provider” as any person in Vermont that provides any content, application, or service over the Internet and any person in Vermont that provides a device used for accessing any content, application, or service over the Internet (Sec. 2).

• Requires State procurement contracts for broadband Internet access service to include terms and conditions requiring the Internet service provider to comply with the consumer protection and net neutrality standards established in this act (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Attorney General, after consulting with the Commissioner of Public Service and receiving input from industry and consumer stakeholders, to submit findings and recommendations in the form of a report or draft legislation regarding the extent that the State should enact net neutrality rules applicable to Internet service providers offering broadband Internet access service in Vermont (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text