Scott signs executive order on net neutrality

Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order Thursday night that would require state bodies to uphold net neutrality protection when contracting internet service providers, effective April 1.

The House and Senate recently proposed bills to push back against the Federal Communication Commission’s December decision to repeal Obama-era net-neutrality rules — a highly controversial move in line with President Donald Trump’s focus on deregulation.

The governor’s order directs the Agency of Administration to amend its procedures to ensure that internet providers who contract with the state comply with net neutrality standards, according to a news release from the Scott administration.

The order “implements the policy direction expressed” in S. 289 — the Senate’s net neutrality bill, which it passed on Feb. 2 and is currently before the House Energy and Technology Committee.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2018/02/15/scott-signs-executive-order-net-neutrality/