IP Law Daily, TECHNOLOGY/INTERNET NEWS: Goodlatte and Eshoo praise law banning state Internet access taxation, (Feb 25, 2016)

By Peter Reap, J.D., LL.M.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif) praised the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 conference report, which contained a provision permanently banning state taxation of Internet access. The legislation was originally introduced by Chairman Goodlatte and Rep. Eshoo, and was passed by the House as a stand-alone bill. The conference version of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (H.R. 644), was signed into law by President Obama on Wednesday February 24.

In their joint announcement, Chairman Goodlatte said: “This bipartisan legislation is about giving every American unfettered access to the Internet, which is the modern gateway to the American dream. Internet access drives innovation and, increasingly, the success of our economy. A permanent ban on Internet access taxes will help prevent unreasonable cost increases that hurt consumers and slow job creation, innovation and the spread of knowledge.

“I have worked for over decade to make this permanent ban a reality, and I am pleased that this day has finally come through a bipartisan, bicameral effort. The last thing the American people need is another tax on their doorstep. I thank, and the American people thank, our allies and everyone else who was instrumental along the way to deliver this victory to hardworking Americans.”

Congresswoman Eshoo added: “The Internet is a tremendous economic engine for our country. To tax millions of Americans just to access the Internet would stifle the countless benefits and opportunities the Internet offers, including access to health care, education, commerce and communications tools. This law will ensure that Americans can permanently access all the powerful resources of the Internet, tax free.”

News: TechnologyInternet