Update: Per the California State Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications (EUC) committee’s agenda for this hearing, AB 353 is no longer on the agenda. As a result, Hurley will no longer be participating. (July 13, 2025)
July 9, 2025—ACA Connects announced today that Brian Hurley, ACA Connects Senior Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, will testify in a California State Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications (EUC) committee hearing next week.
Using data from an ACA Connects and Cartesian study on state broadband rate regulation, Hurley will detail how California’s proposed bill (AB 353) will harm investment and competition.
“Our Cartesian analysis shows that price controls on broadband will hinder the ability of providers to compete, invest in their networks, and provide quality and affordable services to their customers, especially low-income and underserved populations. Smaller providers, who are often the cornerstone for connectivity in their communities, would feel these consequences most severely,’ said Hurley. “I look forward to sharing our analysis with state lawmakers and urging them to heed our warnings about the cascading effects AB 353 would have on broadband service in California.”
ACA Connects Members have long supported government programs that directly provide support to low-income households. As Hurley recently wrote in an article for Independent Communications News (ICN), Members “participated extensively in the Affordable Connectivity Program and would welcome the adoption of a well-designed program to take its place. But rate regulation is not the answer.”
The EUC committee hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, and begins at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET. AB 353 is one of several bills on the agenda. The agenda and video stream are available on the California State Senate website.
Additional Background:
- ACA Connects submitted this position paper today to the EUC Committee about AB 353 and the harm it would cause to competition and investment.
- The complete Cartesian’s analysis on State Broadband Rate Regulations can be viewed and downloaded on acaconnects.org/rateregulation.
- Hurley’s article in Independent Communications News (ICN) titled “Rate Regulation: There’s no Free Lunch,” was published in June and can be read here.
ACA Connects—America’s Communications Association is a trade organization representing approximately 500 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, video, and phone services covering 29.5 million households. ACA Connects Members operate in every state, providing advanced communications to connect homes, companies, main street, schools, hospitals and more. America’s economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA Connects Members, who believe a connected nation is a prosperous nation.