SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2946

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 11, 2021

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2946.

This bill establishes in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety a task force to study technology and other methods used to reduce or eliminate telemarketing harassment and intimidation.  The purpose of this task is to evaluate and make recommendations relating to the cost and feasibility of implementing appropriate technology and other methods to reduce incidents of telemarketing harassment and intimidation of consumers in this State.

     The task force is to consist of 11 members as follows:

     (1) the Attorney General, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Director of the Division of Rate Counsel, or their designees, who are to serve ex-officio; and

     (2) 8 public members who shall be appointed by the Governor, including a telecommunications technology expert from AT&T Communications of New Jersey, a telecommunications technology expert from Verizon New Jersey, a telecommunications technology expert from Verizon New Jersey with particular expertise in fiber optic technology, a representative from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), a representative from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and three senior citizens who have experienced telemarketing harassment and intimidation.

     The bill requires the task force is to issue a report to the Governor and to the Legislature, which is to include, but not be limited to, a cost-benefit analysis concerning the implementation of technology and other methods that may be used to reduce telemarketing harassment and intimidation in this State, the various options for financing the cost of implementation, any other information relevant to the subject of the report, and any draft legislation the task force deems appropriate to implement the purposes of this bill.