House of Representatives

SB 1254

telephone solicitations; seller

Sponsors: Senator Smith

 

DPA

Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

X

Caucus and COW

 

 

As Passed the House

 

SB 1254 amends the telephone solicitation provisions of law.

History

The Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act [TCPA] was enacted in 1991 to address concerns regarding unsolicited telemarketing calls and telephone facsimile [fax] transmissions as well as the use of prerecorded/auto-dial telephone calls.  The TCPA directed the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] to adopt pertinent rules and regulations.   The FCC Rules are applicable to calls made across state lines and regulate the hours and manner in which solicitations may be made.  If a person requests that no additional calls be made to the person, then FCC Rules require the solicitor to place that person's name on their do-not-call list.  The FCC rules exclude from the definition of telephone solicitation: a) a call or message to any person with the person's prior express invitation/permission; b) a call to a person with whom there is an established business relationship; and, c) a call on behalf of a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation.

 

The Arizona Legislature enacted Laws 1999, Chapter 192, which prescribes restrictions for telephone solicitors, including a requirement to register with the Secretary of State.  Further, the law specifies the following as unlawful: 1.) Using equipment that blocks the caller's identification.  2.) Making unsolicited sales calls, unless the seller keeps a do-not-call list. 3.)  Intentionally making unsolicited calls to a mobile phone or pager.  4.) Using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver messages to residential customers. 5.) Using automatic terminal equipment that can store numbers or using random/sequential number generators.   

 

SB 1254 modifies the definition of seller, limits the hours in which solicitations may be conducted and requires the Secretary of State to establish criteria for a do-not-call list.

 

Provisions

·                      Modifies the definition of seller to include anyone who initiates or receives telephone calls to provide or arrange to provide goods or services to consumers in exchange for payment. 

 

·                      Makes it an unlawful practice subject to the Consumer Fraud Act for a seller to initiate any outbound call without prior permission, except as follows:

-         Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.

-         Saturday between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.

 

·                      Requires the Secretary of State to collect data in order to establish guidelines for a no-call-list of persons who do not wish to receive solicitation calls.  The guidelines must include the method of funding the lists and provide exemptions for nonprofit groups, political campaigns, and established business relationships.  The guidelines shall be established by December 31, 2001.

 

SB 1254 was amended in the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development:

·                      Modifies the definition of seller.

·                      Conforms the permissible hours for conducting telephone solicitations to the federal standard [8:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. local time].

·                      Eliminates the provision that requires the Secretary of State to establish guidelines for a no-call-list.

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·                      45th Legislature                                                                                                                       

·                      First Regular Session                           3                                                               April 3, 2001

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