D.C. Memo: State Democrat Unveils CAHIA – the California Affordable Home Internet Act

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CAHIA: Following New York’s successful bid to regulate broadband rates, a California Democratic state lawmaker has introduced a detailed Internet affordability bill with a price cap, a speed mandate, and annual reporting requirements. California Assemblymember Tasha Boerner’s bill – called the California Affordable Home Internet Act or CAHIA – would require all non-mobile ISPs to offer eligible households a service plan consisting of “100 megabits per second downstream and 20 megabits per second upstream and sufficient speed and latency to support distance learning and telehealth services.” The price shall not exceed $15 per month, including taxes and fees. Each covered ISP would be required to “make commercially reasonable efforts to promote and advertise” the $15 plan, including enrollment procedures posted to websites or contained in written promotional materials. Eligibility depends on whether at least one member of a household is enrolled in any number of state and federal assistance programs for low-income individuals. Boerner, (D-Encinitas), introduced AB 353 on Jan. 30 as a placeholder with no statutory language. She has now provided actual bill text. Starting on Jan. 1, 2027, ISPs would need to file a report with the state Department of Technology showing, among other things, “the number of households that purchased the service and the number of households that were denied the service.” (Continued after paywall.)