Calif. Lawmakers Seek Ban Against Internet Voice Chat Regulations

Yes, that's right: California might pass a law to prevent regulations.

California lawmakers are sending Gov. Jerry Brown a bill to prohibit regulation of a type of phone service known as Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

Senate Bill 1161 by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, was pushed by the telecom industry and high-tech companies, which stand to benefit from the growing use of VoIP technology. It was opposed by consumer groups and labor unions, who argued that the bill doesn't give customers enough protection to lodge complaints about service.