States Clear Bills on Spam Calls, Texts

State bills to fight illegal robocalls made progress in Arizona and Maryland legislatures this week. The Maryland House Economic Matters Committee reported advancing its Stop the Spam Calls Act (HB-37) with amendments released Thursday. The bill is modeled on Florida and Oklahoma telemarketing laws, which go beyond the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (see 2302090049). The Arizona Senate Commerce Committee voted 6-0 Wednesday to advance to the floor another bill (HB-2498) meant to fight automated calls and texts. The House passed it unanimously last month. In a voice vote Thursday, the Washington Senate Law Committee sent another robocalls bill (HB-1051), without recommendation, to the Business Committee. The House passed the bill unanimously last month (see 2302280047).