SB 681 West Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Providing PSC jurisdiction over internet service providers

SB 681 gives West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) authority to regulate internet service providers (ISPs), directly affecting ISPs operating in the state and their customers. The bill requires ISPs to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service under fair terms, and empowers the PSC to handle customer complaints about poor service quality or unfair pricing. ISPs that violate PSC orders face fines up to $7,000 per violation, with enforcement possible through court action. The law specifies that PSC authority operates within federal law limits and allows the commission to create implementing rules.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics: Broadband Access

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Mar 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten from an introductory version to a committee substitute version. The original version amended an existing section about public utility jurisdiction, while the new version adds an entirely new section specifically granting the Public Service Commission authority to regulate internet service providers. The new version includes legislative findings, definitions, specific regulatory duties, enforcement penalties, and rulemaking authority.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from amending existing utility jurisdiction provisions to creating a completely new section dedicated solely to internet service provider regulation, adding specific definitions and enforcement mechanisms not present in the original version.

SCOPE

Added a new section (§24-2-1s) specifically granting the Public Service Commission jurisdiction over internet service providers, which was not present in the original version.

DEFINITION

Added a formal definition of 'internet service provider' as a business providing broadband internet access service to customers in West Virginia.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific duties requiring internet service providers to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service under just, fair, and reasonable terms and conditions.

Added rulemaking authority for the commission to implement provisions through rules under Chapter 29A of the code.

ENFORCEMENT

Added enforcement authority allowing the commission to compel testimony and document production, with fines up to $7,000 per violation for non-compliance.

TECHNICAL

Removed original text that included unrelated provisions about solar photovoltaic energy facilities, sewer systems, toll bridges, and stormwater services that were part of the original jurisdiction section.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

To Finance

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee substitute reported, but first to Finance

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor