Calif. Broadband Map, Privacy Bills Advance

California’s Assembly Appropriations Committee approved broadband and privacy bills Wednesday. The committee voted 12-0 for AB-286, which would expand broadband mapping requirements. Under the bill by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D), the map would have to identify the broadband provider and maximum speed offered at every address in the state. The map would have to allow users to submit speed tests, say how much they pay for stand-alone or bundled broadband, identify and rate their ISP and disclose the maximum speed provided. Also, the bill would let a user identify barriers to access and refute the broadband speed or technology that the ISP claims to offer at an address. Also Wednesday, appropriators voted 14-0 for AB-947, which would add immigration and citizenship status to the California Consumer Protection Act’s definition of sensitive personal information. And the panel voted 12-2 for AB-1194, which would say businesses aren’t required to comply with government requests for emergency access to personal information on abortion, contraception, pregnancy and prenatal care.