Washington is the first state to pass its own net neutrality laws

New rules mean internet service providers won’t be able to slow or block content in the state—but federal laws might yet trump them.

Backstory: Late last year, the Federal Communications Commission voted to reverse Obama-era rules that sought to democratize the internet. People have since been (rightly) clamoring to resurrect them.

The news: Washington governor Jay Inslee signed into law rules banning ISPs from blocking content, throttling traffic, or accepting payment for prioritization. They go into effect June 6. “We know that when DC fails to act, Washington state has to do so,” Inslee said.