Pryor Applauds Final Passage of Do Not Call Legislation

Press Release

Senator Mark Pryor today said the national Do Not Call Registry offers consumers a welcomed break from telemarketers and praised his colleagues in the Senate and House for passing his legislation to keep the registry free and effective for consumers. His legislation is now headed to the President's desk for his signature.

Pryor said over 150 million consumers have taken advantage of the peace provided by the Do Not Call Registry, and he wants to keep the program free, simple and effective for them. He expressed concern that the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) authority to fund the program through telemarketer fees expired at the end of the 2007 fiscal year. His legislation, the Do Not Call Extension Act, S.781, reauthorizes the FTC's ability to collect fees from telemarketers to cover the operational costs of the program permanently. Currently, telemarketers pay $62 for each area code, with the first five area codes free and total fees capped at $17,050. They are required to search the registry every month and drop from their call lists the phone numbers of consumers who have registered.

"Millions of Americans have signed up for the Do Not Call Registry, and today can enjoy dinner with their family without annoying telemarketer calls," Pryor said. "My legislation keeps the program free, simple and effective for consumers. Even better, it makes this program permanent."

The Senator added compliance with the registry has been high, but that the FTC has brought enforcement action against 35 individuals and corporate defendants. Violating the Do Not Call Registry subjects telemarketers to civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. To date, the FTC has obtained settlements with orders requiring payment of $16.5 million in civil penalties and $8.2 million in equitable relief.

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