One call list registration is enough, senators say

A Senate committee advanced a bill to keep people from having to sign up again next year for the Do Not Call list.

Last update: October 30, 2007 - 9:22 PM

WASHINGTON - Minnesotans registered on the national Do Not Call Registry would have to renew their registration beginning next year or face annoying telemarketing calls once again, unless legislation introduced in the U.S. House and Senate overrules the current five-year re-registration rule.

Tuesday the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, on which Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar serves, voted to approve the Senate version of the legislation. Similar measures have also advanced in the House.

"It's time to make the Do Not Call list the Never Call list," said Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

The list now contains 145 million phone numbers, according to a release from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Nonprofits, political organizations and businesses with whom the caller has a prior relationship can continue to call numbers on the list.

Minnesota established a state Do Not Call registry in January 2003. Two years later, the state's list merged with the national one.

Even though the Minnesota Department of Commerce no longer oversees the list, communications director Bill Walsh said it has remained one of the most popular search terms on the department's website.

"It's a hot topic," he said.

The five-year re-registration was initially implemented to purge the list of disconnected or reassigned numbers, according to the FTC release, but increasing cell phone use and people keeping numbers when they move have minimized those concerns.

Those wanting to add themselves to the list can do so online at www.donotcall.gov or they can call 1-888-382-1222. Registration is free.

NINA PETERSEN-PERLMAN

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