State Senator Michelle FischbachAlthough we are looking at the completion of the 2002 Legislative session right around the corner, we here at the Capitol are still focused on the many bills and issues that are before the numerous conference committees. A number of issues still need to be addressed before the legislature can wrap up the session. Among those issues is the telemarketing bill, which is under discussion in conference committees.Throughout the session, I have received many letters, e-mails and calls on a number of different issues. I would like to thank everyone who contacted me for expressing their concern over the issues we are discussing here. It’s important I know how you feel on issues so I can best represent your views.
A number of the voices I heard have been concerned about these two issues and I wanted to take a moment to tell you where these bills are currently.
The telemarketing bill, which would require the Commissioner of Commerce to establish a “Do Not Call” list by Jan. 2003, is in a conference committee.
The general idea of the bill requires the Commissioner of Commerce to establish this list, but also that all solicitors in the State of Minnesota must possess this list and abide by it. The fiscal impact of this bill would cost roughly $482 thousand dollars to establish and run this program. However, this expense would be paid by a $50 fee the solicitors are required to obtain the list. There are roughly 4,000 solicitors in Minnesota who would have this list, with an expected 500,000 people who would subscribe. People who want to be on this list would contact the Commis-sioner of Commerce to have their name put on this list.
The bill is in conference committee because of disparities in the Senate and House bills which have to be identical before final passage is sent to the Governor. The Senate bill has a provision that would allow someone to call to establish a business relationship with a referral from a common person. The House does not offer this provision. The Senate bill also has that the solicitor can not use an automatic dialing system, whereas the House has no language regarding this in their bill. The Senate bill states that the names would remain on the list for four years, while the House has two years, allowing for people moving. Lastly, the Senate bill establishes that if a consumer has his name on a federal list, the Commissioner must include his name on the State list.
While this bill will not stop all calls, it is a good consumer protection bill. The conference committee has not met yet because of conflicting conference committee meetings.
As always, your comments and concerns are welcomed and appreciated. You can contact me by e-mail at
I hope to see you all at your town meetings as soon as the legislative session ends.