House passes limit on automated dialing and creates do-not-call list for Utah

The Utah House on the floor advanced new limits on automated telephone solicitations, approving HB39 as amended and sending it to the Senate.

Sponsor Rep. Ted D. Lewis summarized the bill’s key provisions, saying it would require businesses that use automatic dialing equipment to register and would prohibit calls to emergency numbers, prevent random or sequential dialing and limit solicitation calls to 9 a.m.–9 p.m. He added that the bill creates a voluntary list maintained by the Division of Public Utilities that lets residents ask not to be called and directs list operators to share exclusions with major list compilers.

Proponents framed the bill as a consumer-protection measure. Rep. Atkinson described a constituent who received an automated call at 4:30 a.m. and called it “intrusive,” and pledged support. Rep. Lewis acknowledged limits: “We recognize by putting this in the bill that they will indeed get some calls because of the federal preemption,” he said, noting calls from out of state or those who ignore lists will still occur. Several members urged federal action to close remaining gaps.

Opponents and some supporters said the bill does not address live telemarketing from out-of-state firms. Rep. 11 (floor transcript label) said many of the calls received by constituents are from live telemarketers and that federal action is needed. Sponsor Lewis said the House had chosen a narrower approach after interim study and stakeholder meetings to avoid unduly restricting legitimate business telemarketing.

The House voted to pass HB39 as amended. Voting was recorded in favor 71–0, and the bill will be referred to the Senate for further action.

The next step is Senate consideration; legislators and the sponsor indicated they expect continued work to reconcile state-level protections with federal jurisdiction and cross-border calls.