Senate Bill 308 - Save the Internet Act

• Establishes net neutrality as public policy for North Carolina by prohibiting internet service providers from blocking, throttling, or prioritizing traffic in exchange for payment or to benefit affiliated entities.

• Requires the Department of Justice to establish a certification process for internet service providers operating in the state and classifies violations of net neutrality principles as unfair trade practices under existing consumer protection law.

• Mandates that broadband providers publicly disclose accurate information about their network management practices, performance characteristics, and service terms on an easily accessible website to enable informed consumer choices.

• Appropriates $35 million to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) program for fiscal year 2019-2020, with $30 million to encourage broadband expansion in underserved areas and $5 million for grants to provide mobile hotspots and devices to students lacking home internet access.

• Becomes effective January 1, 2020, except broadband appropriations provisions which become effective July 1, 2019.