Oregon lawmakers moved ahead this week with legislation that seeks to undercut federal action on net neutrality. They advanced a bill that would bar the state from contracting with internet companies that violate the principles of an open internet.

Even if the bill passes, though, it may turn out to be a merely symbolic effort.

Net neutrality is the concept that internet providers should treat all online traffic equally.

Proponents of an open internet fear service providers may charge extra for access to certain sites, or throttle connection speeds to some sites unless those sites - or customers - pay extra.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to enforce net neutrality during the Obama administration. But under a new chairman, appointed by President Donald Trump, the FCC reversed itself and repealed those rules.

Large internet providers and Republicans in Congress say that net neutrality could stifle online innovation by restricting internet companies' freedom to manage their networks and find new business opportunities. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, has been a leading voice nationally in opposition to net neutrality.

Democrats and advocates for an open internet, by contrast, say the net neutrality repeal gives large internet companies like Comcast too much power. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, among others, warns of a future dominated by large websites that can afford to pay for speedy access.

So Oregon is one of several Democratic-leaning states, and a few Republican ones, contemplating their own net neutrality laws. But because Congress has given the federal government precedence for rules and laws governing the internet, the states have come up with a workaround.

Laws under consideration would require state and local governments contract only with internet companies that abide by the principles of net neutrality. In Oregon, House Bill 4155 makes an exception for geographic locations where there are no alternatives.

The Rules committee voted 5-4, along party lines, to advance the bill. Republican members said they were doubtful the bill would stand up to legal scrutiny and argued it was unnecessary while a suit to overturn the FCC's ruling, brought by Oregon and 20 other states, is pending.

HB 4155's supporters say the expect a House vote on the bill Monday. Wyden and House majority leader Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland, will hold a rally for net neutrality Friday afternoon on the capitol steps in Salem.

Even if the Oregon Legislature ultimately passes HB 4155, it's unclear how effective it will be in advancing net neutrality. Legal opinions are divided about whether state laws on net neutrality would hold up in federal court.

And government contracts may not represent a meaningful share of business for Comcast and other big residential internet service providers. That could undercut whatever leverage the states have.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699