Sen. Mary Lazich was just wrong in her guest column that ran in this paper when she said that a bill to regulate cell phone telemarketing calls was unnecessary. Indeed her vote on the Senate floor in favor of the bill seems to be evidence of her misguided position on the proposal. Like all other members of the Senate, Lazich voted in favor of Senate Bill 99 last week when it came up for a vote.
Senator Lazich states that telemarketers have assured the Federal Communications Commission that they "won't call cell phones" but unfortunately that assertion is untrue. Telemarketing companies solicit people on their cell phones every day both through voice solicitations and text messages. I think a note to the FCC from telemarketers saying they won't call people is nice, but it is hardly the law and it is certainly not enforceable.
SB 99 would prohibit solicitation of people who have signed up their cell phones on the "do not call" list. In addition, the bill gives people the statutory authority to express verbally to telemarketers that they do not want calls, codifying state rule and federal law. Another advantage of SB 99 is an increase in the maximum fine for violations, giving more power for enforcement.
Sen. Lazich is right about one thing for sure. Wisconsin's Do Not Call law was one of the best laws we have passed for Wisconsin consumers in recent history. This solid law deserves to represent the times with the addition of telecommunications service to cover unwanted solicitations to peoples cellular phones.
I have asked Speaker Huebsch to schedule the bill for the Assembly floor immediately, since it does not need another public hearing. With one day left anticipated on the Assembly floor, I am hopeful that this bill will pass and be signed into law.
Senator Lazich states that telemarketers have assured the Federal Communications Commission that they "won't call cell phones" but unfortunately that assertion is untrue. Telemarketing companies solicit people on their cell phones every day both through voice solicitations and text messages. I think a note to the FCC from telemarketers saying they won't call people is nice, but it is hardly the law and it is certainly not enforceable.
SB 99 would prohibit solicitation of people who have signed up their cell phones on the "do not call" list. In addition, the bill gives people the statutory authority to express verbally to telemarketers that they do not want calls, codifying state rule and federal law. Another advantage of SB 99 is an increase in the maximum fine for violations, giving more power for enforcement.
Sen. Lazich is right about one thing for sure. Wisconsin's Do Not Call law was one of the best laws we have passed for Wisconsin consumers in recent history. This solid law deserves to represent the times with the addition of telecommunications service to cover unwanted solicitations to peoples cellular phones.
I have asked Speaker Huebsch to schedule the bill for the Assembly floor immediately, since it does not need another public hearing. With one day left anticipated on the Assembly floor, I am hopeful that this bill will pass and be signed into law.
