Affordable Internet and Net Equality Act of 2022.

Existing law requires all contracts for the acquisition of information technology goods and services related to information technology projects, as defined, to be made by or under the supervision of the Department of Technology, which also has the final authority in the determination of information technology procurement policy. This bill, the Affordable Internet and Net Equality Act of 2022, would require the Department of Technology, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of General Services, to develop and establish the Net Equality Program. The bill would require the state and state agencies, except the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services, to only do business with an internet service provider offering affordable home internet service to households participating in certain public assistance programs, as specified. The bill would define affordable home internet service to mean internet service costing no more than $40 per month and that meets specified minimum speed requirements. The bill would require these internet service providers to establish a telephone number to sign up eligible households and would require these providers to advertise the availability of affordable home internet service, among other requirements placed on these providers. The bill would also make its provisions severable.