Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/08/2018 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB105 | |
| SB155 | |
| SB116 | |
| HB126 | |
| SJR12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 12-CONGRESS REVERSE FCC ON NET NEUTRALITY
3:11:53 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SJR 12.
3:12:06 PM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of SJR 12, introduced the legislation speaking
to the following sponsor statement:
In December 2017, the Federal Communication Commission
(FCC) adopted an order to reverse regulations that had
established a federal broadband policy of net
neutrality and to preempt states from imposing
regulations on internet service providers.
Net neutrality protects an individual's ability to
access and transmit information on the internet,
requiring internet service providers (ISPs) to treat
all websites equally, regardless of their content or
business relationships. Without net neutrality ISPs
can lawfully charge customers higher rates to access
certain websites, download music, and watch videos,
and the ISPs would be able to slow down or block
access to sites altogether.
The FCCs decision was extremely unpopular with the
American public and a survey conducted by the
University of Maryland found that 83 percent of
Americans opposed repealing net neutrality.
Furthermore, the FCCs public commenting process was
flawed. Of the more than 22 million comments that were
received, 2 Million were linked to stolen identities
and nearly 500,000 were generated from Russian email
address.
Alaska's isolation from the lower 48 means our
citizens rely heavily on the internet to connect to
one another, keep in touch with family, work, and for
educational purposes. Many Alaskan communities already
struggle to obtain stable, affordable internet access.
Alaskans' First Amendment rights of free speech, free
press, and free association are also at risk without a
net neutral environment enabling the free flow of
thoughts, ideas, and concerns over the internet.
The Congressional Review Act, which grants Congress
authority to nullify any regulatory rules issued by
federal agencies with a simple majority vote, is the
best chance at reversing the FCCs decision on net
neutrality and must be submitted within 60 legislative
days of finalization of the agency's action.
Upon approval, this resolution would urge the United
States Congress to exercise its authority under the
Congressional Review Act to overturn the Federal
Communication Commission's regulatory decision to end
net neutrality protections.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI emphasized that this repeal is a grave
threat to free speech. Verizon once blocked text messages from a
prochoice advocacy group deeming them to be too controversial.
Religious groups also oppose the repeal. Pat Roberts' Christian
Coalition website states, "If net neutrality dies, the internet
as we know it today will cease to exist."
He said the arguments for repealing net neutrality don't have
much merit. Some say that ISPs won't slow speeds, but Comcast
cut Netflix speeds drastically until Netflix agreed to pay more.
Some say competition will prevent providers from abusing the
system, but half of all U.S. households have no choice of
access. Alaska is in a similar situation with limited and
expensive options. Some say this will hurt investment, but
capital investment increased after the original net neutrality
regulations passed. Some say there will be transparency with the
Federal Trade Commission overseeing the internet, but all the
FTC will look for is whether the companies say how they are
blocking or slowing or censoring.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said the public comment on the reversal of
net neutrality was flawed. Of the 21 million comments that were
received, up to 2 million were linked to stolen identities,
nearly 500,000 were likely generated from Russian email
addresses, 94 percent were submitted multiple times, 57 percent
came from duplicate or temporary addresses, and 75,000 identical
or similar comments were posted at the same second on nine
occasions.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said the Congressional Review Act grants
Congress the authority to overturn this order with a simple
majority vote. Just one more vote is needed in the U.S. Senate.
3:17:51 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO asked the source of the list of technology
organizations on page 3, lines 6-9, that oppose the end of net
neutrality protections.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI deferred to his staff.
3:18:34 PM
NATE GRAHAM, Staff, Senator Bill Wielechowski, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said it came from an article in
Business Insider. A copy is in the supporting documents.
SENATOR MICCICHE commented that the case is strong and
convincing without some of the references such as the University
of Maryland poll. The issue is about whether you believe the
internet is a utility and his personal belief is that it is a
utility.
3:20:21 PM
SENATOR STEVENS said it seems that Alaska would be more impacted
than other states.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI agreed; his understanding is that a higher
percentage of Alaskans use the internet for work and
entertainment than other states, particularly in rural areas.
It's used for social media, access to news, for work, and
telemedicine.
SENATOR STEVENS commented that telemedicine great future could
be damaged by rolling back net neutrality.
SENATOR GARDNER observed that Alaska is different because there
is just one provider in many areas. She noted that one of her
staff found his name on three comments regarding closing down
net neutrality even though he hadn't submitted any comment. He
agreed with two of the comments and disagreed with one.
CHAIR COSTELLO said it's fitting that the only committee with a
Facebook page should move this legislation along.
3:22:16 PM
SENATOR MEYER moved to report SJR 12 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
3:22:27 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO found no one who wished to comment on SJR 12 and
closed public testimony.
3:22:52 PM
SENATOR MEYER restated the motion to report SJR 12 from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note(s).
3:23:06 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced that without objection, SJR 12 moves
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.