State legislators from both parties introduce net neutrality bills

By Joe Teehan February 3, 2018 5:26 am

KGMIAP photoGov. Jay Inslee talks to the media in Olympia, Wash. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. He said the state will take steps to protect consumers regardless of how a vote by the Federal Communications Commission on a plan to undo the country's net-neutrality rules turns out. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte)

KGMI News

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state lawmakers from both parties have introduced a number of bills relating to net neutrality.

The flurry of action comes after the Federal Communications Commission did away with so-called net neutrality rules last year.

The Seattle Times reports Whidbey Island Republican Representative Norma Smith sponsored a measure that would require all Internet Service Providers to treat all websites equally, preventing them from slowing down sites of competitors while creating fast lanes for websites under their own ownership.

Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, has a bill similar to the work being done in the House.