AG Hawley Joins Bipartisan Group to Combat Robocalls

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley has announced that he has joined a bipartisan group of 40 state attorneys general to stop or reduce robocalls.

A press release from Hawley's Office indicates the coalition is reviewing the technology that major telecommunications companies are pursuing to combat illegal robocalls, which can be "repetitive and harmful."

“This multistate effort is vitally important,” Hawley said. “Missourians complain regularly about repeated robocalls that interrupt their daily lives. As a part of this group, my Office is working to find ways to fight spoofing and other robocalls that are not prevented by the No-Call List.”

Since forming, the multi-state group has reportedly had in-depth meetings with several major telecommunications companies. Hawley's Office says those meetings have led to greater information sharing about the technological capabilities currently in existence or in development to fight these calls.

Some of the goals of the group are:

- To develop a detailed understanding of what is technologically feasible to minimize unwanted robocalls and illegal telemarketing.

 - Engage the major telecommunications companies to encourage them to expedite the best possible solutions for consumers.

- Determine whether states should make further recommendations to the FCC.

This group is led by Attorney General Josh Stein (NC), Attorney General Curtis Hill (IN), and Attorney General Gordon MacDonald (NH). Also included are attorneys general from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.