Tennessee Net Neutrality Bill Fails in House Subcommittee
Republicans killed a Tennessee net neutrality bill by voice vote at a House Utilities Subcommittee hearing Wednesday. HB-1060 would have restricted state and local government contacts with companies that don’t adhere to open internet rules. Tennessee should protect its residents,…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
who in many places have only one broadband provider, said sponsor state Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D) at the webcast hearing. But Chairman Pat Marsh (R) was skeptical the bill is necessary: “I just have not heard of any problems.” Clemmons responded it’s an “opportunity to be proactive” that doesn’t cost the state anything or harm providers that say they’re following rules. Rep. Clark Boyd (R) said it sounded like a federal issue, but Clemmons said Tennessee can’t rely on national policymakers to do anything in the current political climate. Democratic subcommittee members supported the bill. Tennessee lawmakers often talk about the importance of states' rights, noted Rep. Karen Camper (D). “This is a situation where the state could act” and “maybe it will prompt the federal government to act,” she said. Clemmons said he would ask Gov. Bill Lee (R) about issuing an executive order if his bill didn’t pass. The Democrat last year asked former Gov. Bill Haslam (R) but got no reply, he said.