Imagine finally settling in for a binge-watching session, only to be jolted out of your comfort zone by an ear-splitting advertisement. California lawmakers are stepping up to silence those disruptive streaming commercials.

A new bill proposed by California Democratic Senator Tom Umberg aims to regulate the volume of ads on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. The legislation would essentially extend a 15-year-old federal law that limits commercial volume on traditional television to the digital streaming world.

The bill, Senate Bill 576, has garnered surprising bipartisan support. In fact, when Umberg brought the proposal to the Senate floor, every present senator voted in favor of it. The inspiration? A very relatable parental nightmare involving a sleeping baby rudely awakened by a blaring advertisement.

While the entertainment industry, including the Motion Picture Association of America, has pushed back, arguing that streaming ads function differently from traditional TV commercials, Umberg remains confident. “If they can make ads louder, they can make them less loud,” he stated.

The proposed law would require streaming services to comply with volume standards similar to those governing broadcast television. This means no more sudden volume spikes that have viewers scrambling for the remote.

UC Berkeley Law Professor Tejas Narechania suggests the legislation is legally sound, citing previous court rulings that support California’s ability to enact consumer protections affecting out-of-state content providers.

As the bill moves to the Assembly floor, it represents a potential win for viewers tired of audio assault during their streaming experience. For millennials and Gen Z constantly seeking more user-friendly technology, this could be a welcome development in the ongoing battle against intrusive advertising.

Stay tuned to see if California becomes the first state to bring some peace and quiet to our streaming sessions.