Darlene Hooley: “I rise today in support of privacy protections for consumers nationwide as we consider the Do-Not- Call Implementation…”

“I rise today in support of privacy protections for consumers nationwide as we consider the Do-Not- Call Implementation Act. My home state of Oregon is one of a growing number of states that have recognized the growing importance of protecting consumer privacy. Oregon's legislature has parlayed its respect for individual privacy into legislation regulating telemarketing calls. Like those in more than two dozen other states, Oregon's lawmakers have seen fit to compile a list of individuals who no longer wish to receive unsolicited telemarketing calls. And, they have vested the attorney general with the power to levy harsh sanctions on those firms who call listed consumers anyway. Oregon's law is powerful and effective because it allows for the local enforcement of telemarketing rules with narrow exceptions. Only political organizations and a few not-for-profit groups are exempt from the restrictions on calls placed to listed consumers. It is important to me that Federal legislation authorizing the creation of a national ``do not call'' registry does not unnecessarily widen the carefully carved exceptions of state laws like Oregon's. States that have developed strong protections on privacy should not see their rules watered down. I sincerely hope and expect that FTC will show deference to determinations made by states as it coordinates the national ``do not call'' registry with existing state lists.”