California Assembly Passes $15-a-Month Internet Bill
The act could save Californians $1 billion annually, but ISPs worry about costs
June 5, 2025 – The California Assembly on Wednesday passed a $15-a-month broadband affordability bill by a vote of 52–17.
The California Affordable Home Internet Act, introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas, will now head to the state Senate, which is currently dominated by Democrats, who hold 30 of the chamber’s 40 seats.
Following the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program – a program in the Federal Communications Commission which funded discounts on broadband payments for low-income households – CAHIA would mandate service providers offer internet plans at no more than $15 per month for households participating in a qualified public assistance program.
Jake Neenan
“I want to get something fair and reasonable that helps those who need it most. AB 353 will fill the gap and ensure our children can turn in their homework, families can get access to telehealth, and apply for jobs online,” Boerner said in a press release.
California is one of several states pursuing price-control mandates on internet service to benefit low-income Americans.
New York was the first to get a mandate in statute, prompting others, including Massachusetts, Vermont and Minnesota to pursue similar legislation. These bills have received pushback from internet service providers.
While the California Public Utilities Commission has argued CAHIA could save Californians $1 billion annually, ISPs say that, without federal subsidies like those provided by the ACP, the reduction in service fees will be unfeasible for business.
In an online summit Monday, Otsego Electric Cooperative CEO Tim Johnson said that New York’s $15-a-month threshold “is far below our costs of operation, not even 50% of our costs, actually.”
ISPs appealed to the Supreme Court in February after New York’s law was passed, but were denied a hearing.
