Robocall Me Maybe? The Remix: How to Comply with Federal Law when your City Makes Automated Calls and Texts

As cities seek to streamline processes and efficiently utilize funds in continually decreasing budgets, automated phone calls and text messages (“robocalls” and “robotexts”) may appear to be a cost‐effective option to communicate with citizens. This presentation discusses the applicable federal laws and regulations that govern automated calls, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Broadnet Order on Reconsideration in 2020, the FCC’s rule updates in 2023, and recent court cases. Additionally, this presentation describes practical considerations and best practices for cities to ensure compliance with federal law when contacting citizens by automated calls and texts, including those related to telephone town halls, municipal court cases, and water utility service.

Speaker: David Johnson