HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Item 4-e - Resolution Supporting Net Neutrality
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 19, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-e
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Net Neutrality
DEPARTMENT: Information Technologies
ATTACHMENT(S):
Net Neutrality Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Northrup, Chief Information Officer,
919-245-2276
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution calling upon the United States Congress and President
Donald Trump to approve and sign legislation to fully restore Net Neutrality.
BACKGROUND: In 1996, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which
defines two categories of entities: (1) telecommunications carriers, which provide the equivalent
of basic services; and (2) information-service providers, which provide the equivalent of
enhanced services. The Act subjects telecommunications carriers, but not information-service
providers, to Title II common carrier regulation.
In March 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Report and Order In
the Matter of Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet, WC Docket No. 14-28. In this Order,
the FCC applied “open internet rules,” commonly known as Net Neutrality rules, to broadband
internet providers. The 2015 Order classified broadband internet access service as a
telecommunications service subject to the FCC’s regulatory authority under Title II of the
Communications Act, regardless of the technological platform over which the service is offered.
The 2015 Order also established “bright line rules” to protect consumers from past and future
tactics that threaten the open internet by banning three damaging practices: blocking, throttling,
and paid prioritization. Also in the 2015 Report and Order, the FCC reaffirmed its 2010
Transparency rule to ensure that consumers are fully informed about the internet access they
purchase.
Federal Communications Commission, through its actions on December 14, 2017 in WC
Docket No. 17-108; eliminated the principle of Net Neutrality.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: While this resolution will not have an immediate fiscal impact on Orange
County Government, the preservation of Net Neutrality is necessary for the prosperity of the
Orange County local economy, including but not limited to startup technology companies, rural
businesses, and entrepreneurs. Net Neutrality encourages competition among businesses,
fosters innovation, creates jobs, and promotes economic vitality both within Orange County and
across the nation.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
An open internet provides residents the opportunity to search for gainful employment, participate
in free web-based job training programs, and learn new skills through online education courses.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt and authorize the Chair
to sign the attached resolution supporting Net Neutrality.
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RES-2018-043
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE
PRESERVATION OF FEDERAL RULES AND
POLICIES PROTECTING NET NEUTRALITY
WHEREAS, Orange County is a hub of high-tech invention and development of
technology companies; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is a critical vertex of the Research Triangle; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is also home to 150,000 residents who rely on the
County to provide essential services such as law enforcement, healthcare, education,
assistance for youth and the elderly, and social services; and
WHEREAS, established County programs, services, and information require
affordable, accessible, and open internet access for the benefit of County residents; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission adopted Net Neutrality rules
in its 2015 Report and Order In the Matter of Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet,
WC Docket No. 14-28, to protect consumers from past and future tactics that threaten the
open internet by banning three damaging practices: blocking, throttling, and paid
prioritization; and
WHEREAS, in its 2015 Report and Order, the Federal Communications Commission
reaffirmed its 2010 Transparency rule to ensure that consumers are fully informed about the
internet access they are purchasing; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission, through its actions on
December 14, 2017 in WC Docket No. 17-108; eliminated the principle of Net Neutrality;
and
WHEREAS, the preservation of Net Neutrality is necessary for the prosperity of
the Orange County local economy, including but not limited to startup technology
companies, rural businesses, and entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, Net Neutrality encourages competition among businesses, fosters
innovation, creates jobs, and promotes economic vitality both within Orange County and
across the nation; and
WHEREAS, open internet provides residents the opportunity to search for gainful
employment, participate in free web-based job training programs, and learn new skills
through online education courses; and
WHEREAS, public safety, emergency services, education, and healthcare services
all rely on the availability of broadband internet service free from the plagues of throttling,
blocking, and paid prioritization; and
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WHEREAS, Orange County, as a North Carolina local government, adheres to and
champions the principle of transparency, including transparency in the provision of
broadband internet service; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County community is best served, and civic engagement is
enhanced, through the availability of a neutral and open internet; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and its residents depend on the accessibility of
affordable and non-discriminatory broadband internet service to ensure that all residents,
businesses, non-profit organizations, and public agencies have the opportunity to participate
in the governmental process through the use of digital and communications technology;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
County Commissioners supports efforts to ensure the restoration, preservation, and defense
of Net Neutrality principles and rules as articulated by the Federal Communications
Commission in its 2015 Report and Order, In the Matter of Protecting and Promoting the
Open Internet, WC Docket No. 14-28; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners expresses appreciation to the United States Senate for approving Senator
Edward Markey’s bill “A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under
Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Federal
Communications Commission Relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" in the Senate
(Senate Joint Resolution 52) on May 16, 2018; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners expresses support for United States Congressman Mike Doyle’s discharge
petition mandating legislation to save Net Neutrality be put up for a vote in the full House via
House Resolution 873; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
expresses support for United States Congress House Resolution 873; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners calls upon the United States Congress and President Donald Trump to approve
and sign legislation to fully restore Net Neutrality.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners,
Orange County, North Carolina, on June 19, 2018.
__________________________________
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners
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