A new law allows state residents to put their phone numbers on a "cannot call" list for both in-state and out-of-state telemarketing firms. Before signing the bill into law, however, Gov. Scott McCallum slashed the fines levied against violators of the no-call list to $100; original legislation pegged fines between $1,000 and $10,000, and also included additional fines of up to $500 for the employee making the call. The new law exempts nonprofits, which happen to include political parties; however, both state parties have pledged to honor the law.
State residents deluged state offices with inquiries about getting on the list before it even existed, but they will have to wait about a year, as rules are written, and the list is compiled and distributed to telemarketers.
—Ronald A. Wirtz
