An Act To Protect Network Neutrality
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1675
Committee Amendment CA_A_S192 (Senate)

Majority 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P. 580, L.D. 1675, Bill, "An Act To 
Protect Network Neutrality" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Regarding Full, Fair and Nondiscriminatory Access to the Internet' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Preamble. Whereas, the Legislature finds that the development and continued 
enhancement of advanced communications technology in the State is vital to economic 
development; and 
Whereas, full, fair and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet is critical to the 
ability of Maine citizens to participate in the information economy and is an important 
element of citizens' access to information necessary to their roles as informed participants 
in our nation's democracy; and 
Whereas, regulation of the Internet is generally viewed as principally a matter 
within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government; and 
Whereas, the interests of the State of Maine and its citizens must be vigorously 
protected; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Monitoring state and federal activity relating to Internet access 
regulations. 
Resolved: 
That the Office of the Public Advocate shall take the 
following actions to monitor and review state and federal activity on issues relating to 
full, fair and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet. The Office of the Public Advocate 
shall: 
1. Evaluate the actions of the Federal Communications Commission, the United 
States Congress and other appropriate agencies of government with respect to ensuring 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A .. to S.P. 580, L.D. 1675 
that citizens' rights to full, fair and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet are not 
impeded; 
2. Monitor the Federal Communication Commission's inquiry into broadband 
.. industry practices, FCC-07-31, WC Docket No. 07-52; 
3. Collect information on legislative and regulatory actions of other states on these 
issues; 
4. Review the State's telecommunications and technology policies, including the 
ConnectME Authority established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, 
section 9203, and evaluate the extent to which those policies are encouraging adequate 
investment in technology infrastructure to support a strong Internet system and continued 
expansion of broadband access in this State; and 
5. Review the extent of the State's authority to protect the rights of users of the 
Internet in the State to full, fair and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet; and be it 
further 
Sec.2. Report. Resolved: That, no later than February 1,2008, the Office of the 
Public Advocate shall submit a report summarizing the results of its activities under 
section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve. The amendment directs the Office 
of the Public Advocate to take several actions to monitor state and federal activity 
relating to full and fair access to the Internet. The amendment requires the Office of the 
Public Advocate to submit a report summarizing the results of its activities to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy by February 1, 2008. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/30107 frac:.. 
LD 1675 
LR 1217(02),. 
An Act To Protect Network Neutrality 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Ame~dment ';A " 
Committee: Utilities and Energy 
. 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
LR1217(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1