# California set to vote on BEAD plan tied to net-neutrality exemption

_Published Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6:07 PM EDT · Policy, Infrastructure · Latest · Tier 1 — Major_

![Illustration of network data represented by curving lines flowing on a dark background. — Primary](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/getty-network-1152x648.jpg)

California's Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on ratifying the state's final BEAD broadband plan, a step toward receiving $1.86 billion in federal grants. The Trump administration requires participating states to exempt any ISP receiving BEAD funding from state net-neutrality and rate-regulation rules. NTIA says the exemption would apply statewide, rather than only to funded deployment areas, for up to 14 years. The vote has not occurred, and California has not yet accepted the federal funds.

## Sources

- [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/california-may-gut-state-net-neutrality-law-to-comply-with-trump-admin-demand/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/u8VtdggelLF4k8bUN2Tq9G
Published: 2026-09-16T22:07:59.546Z
Story chronology: 2026-09-16T19:36:44.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-09-16T23:48:29.572Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)