New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy [official website] signed an executive order [text, PDF] on Monday requiring that all future state contracts for internet services will only be given to internet service providers (ISPs) that follow net neutrality principles.

The order is in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repeal [JURIST Report] of net neutrality principles. The order outlines how ISPs are to adhere to net neutrality:

[A]n ISP shall not, with respect to any consumers in New Jersey (including but not limited to State entities):

a. Block lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices…
b. Throttle, impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic based on Internet content, applications, services, or use of a nonharmful device…
c. Engage in paid prioritization…
d. Unreasonably interfere with or unreasonably disadvantage: i. An end user’s ability to select, access, and use broadband Internet access service or the lawful Internet content, applications, services, or devices of their choice; or ii. An edge provider’s ability to make lawful content, applications, services, or devices available to end users…

In the order, the governor explained the need and reliance of New Jerseyans on a free and open internet by citing various reasons including access to information for education as well as the ability to compete in the global economy and assist in innovation. The order will apply to contracts entered into after July 1, 2018.

New Jersey will join the states of states including New York and Montana [JURIST reports] that have made similar executive orders addressing net neutrality. Twenty-two state attorneys general have also challenged [JURIST Report] the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality in federal court with the outcome to be determined.