The move defies sweeping Federal Communications Commission rules which gave the US Telco monopolies free hand to throttle or set up a two tiered internet for fun and profit.

The Democrat-controlled California Senate voted 27-12 to pass the bill, known as SB 822, with just hours left in the legislative session. The measure was approved by their colleagues in the state Assembly one day earlier.

Governor Jerry Brown, also a Democrat, has not yet said if he would sign the bill into law, but it is pretty likely.

Members of the California Assembly voted 58-17 to send the bill to their colleagues in the state Senate, who have until midnight to pass so-called SB 822 on the final day of the legislative session or wait until next year.

Democrat Scott Wiener said the law would give the state the strongest net neutrality standards in the US.

“The internet is at the heart of 21st century life - our economy, our public safety and health systems, and our democracy.”

The telcos say that the restrictions limit internet providers’ ability to recoup the costs of network improvements and lead them to curb investment.