Laster Bill Would Ban Robocalls
A Shawnee lawmaker wants to put an end to what some say are obnoxious automated phone calls on behalf of candidates and issues.
Senate Bill 1008 by Sen. Charles Laster, D-Shawnee, would remove an exemption granted under the Oklahoma Telemarketer Restriction Act, which allows calls from charitable or religious groups, candidates, causes and organizations, or any activity of a nonprofit entity. The measure still would allow candidates to make personal campaign calls. But it would ban the use of random-dialing, automated devices used to generate calls for candidates, causes or organizations.
Laster said outrage from constituents prompted him to write the bill. "I hate them (the automated calls), as well," he said.
The Attorney General's Office, which oversees the state's "don't call" list, receives numerous complaints about automated calls during election season, spokesman Charlie Price said.
Laster, an attorney, said he doesn't know whether such a bill has been filed before or whether his will even receive a hearing. He also doesn't know whether it will pass legal scrutiny if approved.
A court might have to decide whether the public's desire to be left alone at home outweighs a candidate's right to communicate with the electorate. "I would think there would be tremendous public support for it," Laster said of his proposal. "I am sure there will be some concerns about constitutionality." Laster said that in some cases, outside groups unknown to candidates pay for the calls. He said the calls were worse before November's election than in previous years. "It is a very inexpensive tool candidates are tempted to use," he said.
Senate Bill 1008 by Sen. Charles Laster, D-Shawnee, would remove an exemption granted under the Oklahoma Telemarketer Restriction Act, which allows calls from charitable or religious groups, candidates, causes and organizations, or any activity of a nonprofit entity. The measure still would allow candidates to make personal campaign calls. But it would ban the use of random-dialing, automated devices used to generate calls for candidates, causes or organizations.
Laster said outrage from constituents prompted him to write the bill. "I hate them (the automated calls), as well," he said.
The Attorney General's Office, which oversees the state's "don't call" list, receives numerous complaints about automated calls during election season, spokesman Charlie Price said.
Laster, an attorney, said he doesn't know whether such a bill has been filed before or whether his will even receive a hearing. He also doesn't know whether it will pass legal scrutiny if approved.
A court might have to decide whether the public's desire to be left alone at home outweighs a candidate's right to communicate with the electorate. "I would think there would be tremendous public support for it," Laster said of his proposal. "I am sure there will be some concerns about constitutionality." Laster said that in some cases, outside groups unknown to candidates pay for the calls. He said the calls were worse before November's election than in previous years. "It is a very inexpensive tool candidates are tempted to use," he said.
Labels: 2007 Legislature, Charles Laster, Robocalls
posted by Mike McCarville @ 12:51 AM
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