Calif. Lawmakers Pass Broadband, Digital Equity Bills

The California legislature passed bills on broadband permitting, video franchising and social media Monday. On concurring with Senate amendments, Assembly members voted 80-0 for AB-965 and 73-1 for AB-41. On concurring with Assembly amendments, senators voted 39-0 for SB-60. AB-965 would allow simultaneous processing of multiple broadband permit applications for similar project sites under a single permit and require local governments to decide applications within a reasonable time (see 2306200053). AB-41 aims to tighten digital equity requirements in the state’s video franchise law but was opposed by a public interest group (see 2309080031). SB-60 would require social media platforms to remove posts on illegal drug sales. The bills still need signatures from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Also Monday, the Senate punted on AB-1282 by sending the measure to the legislature’s inactive file. The bill would require a study on mental health risks of social media for children.