California is set to accept $1.86 billion in federal broadband grants, but the Trump administration requires states to forgo enforcing net neutrality rules on ISPs receiving funds. The BEAD program mandates that states exempt ISPs from net neutrality and rate regulation for up to 14 years.

The CPUC votes tomorrow on ratifying the state's BEAD plan. Advocacy groups, including Paul Goodman of the Center for Accessible Technology, call it "the beginning of the end" for California's net neutrality law, which survived a prior court battle. Goodman urges delaying the vote and suing over the NTIA condition.

The requirement also bars rate regulation and utility-style rules on broadband, potentially affecting companies like AT&T and Verizon. The letter went to Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and CPUC President John Reynolds.