Senate Committee to hold Hearing to Examine Effects of 25-Year-Old TCPA on Modern Consumers and Businesses

In a press release issued yesterday, U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that he will convene a full committee hearing titled “The Telephone Consumer Protection Act at 25: Effects on Consumers and Business” on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.

The hearing will examine the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA), an enacted bill that requires solicitors to maintain a “Do Not Call” list and limits the use of automatic dialing systems known as “robocalls.” The hearing will also examine the Federal Communications Commission’s application of the TCPA to new technologies and practices popularized since adoption of the Act.

Witnesses:

- Ms. Becca Wahlquist, Snell and Wilmer, testifying on behalf of the U.S. Chamber     Institute of Legal Reform
- Ms. Monica Desai, Squire Patton Boggs
- Mr. Rich Lovich, Law Offices of Stephenson, Acquisto & Coleman, testifying on behalf of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
- Ms. Margot Saunders, Of Counsel, National Consumer Law Center
- The Honorable Greg Zoeller, Indiana Attorney General

* Witness list subject to change

Hearing Details:

Wednesday, May 18, 2016
10:00 a.m. ET
Full Committee Hearing
Senate Russell Building 253

Witness testimony, opening statements, and a livestream will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.

insideARM Perspective

This ought to be an interesting hearing, one worthy of noting on your calendar and streaming the proceedings. The likely contrasting testimony from the representatives the U.S, Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Legal Reform and the National Consumer Law Center should be fascinating. What impact the hearing will have remains to be seen.