Editorial: Zap telemarketers with legislation

Monday, March 10, 2003 | 8:50 a.m.

Freshman Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, is sure to score some points with voters with his bill to create a state "do not call" list that telemarketers would be required to buy. The list would be maintained by the attorney general's office, which is in full support of Conklin's bill. Nevada residents would simply dial a toll-free line to place their phone numbers on the list. Telemarketers would be required to buy the list, which would not be available to the public, every six months. The list would be cleared every three years and citizens would simply have to register again. The bill gives the attorney general's office enforcement power over any telemarketing company not complying with the list.

The federal government is also building a national do-not-call list that would work on the same principle, but that may not be available for some time. Even if it becomes available soon, people inundated with calls at home from unwanted solicitors would surely opt for double protection. Every so often bills are introduced that have an immediately recognizable benefit to citizens. Conklin's bill is in that category.