Maine Lawmakers Pass Anti-Robocalls Bill

A Maine bill meant to combat robocalls and preserve the state’s 207 area code passed the legislature. The Senate concurred with House changes Tuesday. As amended, the measure would require voice providers that acquire and place into service phone numbers to pay in the state’s USF and telecom education access fund and give the Maine Public Utilities Commission authority to investigate compliance. Also, LD-396 would require VoIP providers to register with the Maine PUC and respond to any information requests about distributing phone numbers. And it would require the commission to file a report to the legislature on compliance, PUC efforts to preserve 207 and what else may be needed to ensure efficient numbering use. The bill still needs gubernatorial OK.