The Federal Trade Commission proposal would require telemarketers to pay an annual fee of $29 for each area code to which they make calls. A maximum fee of $7,250 would cover all area codes.
The agency announced earlier last week that it will launch a Web site on July 1 so consumers can register online for the free service. The FTC also will begin an eight-week rollout of a toll-free phone number where people also can register for the list.
Beginning in September, telemarketers will have to check the list every three months to determine who does not want to be called. They will have to pay the fee to access the list. Telemarketers who call listed people could be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. Consumers would be able to file complaints by phone or online to an automated system.
The government said it will begin enforcing the do-not-call list in October. The FTC will accept public comments on its fee proposal until May and will then decide on enacting the requirement.
Telemarketers say the registry will devastate their industry and are suing the FTC on grounds the registry amounts to an unlawful restriction on free speech.
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