The Oklahoma Telemarketer Restriction Act allows Edmondson's office to establish and maintain a statewide registry of consumers who do not want to receive unsolicited telemarketing sales calls.

Edmondson said Oklahomans can register three ways; on line at www.oag.state.ok.us, through the mail or by telephone. The numbers for telephone registration are: Oklahoma City 604-4665; Tulsa 584-4411; statewide 800-390-5708.

"Consumers register their telephone number through the attorney general's office and we maintain a list of those numbers," Edmondson said. "Telemarketing companies who want to do business in Oklahoma will be required to obtain the list. They are then prohibited from contacting the numbers on the list."

The new law, which is enforceable Jan. 1, allows telemarketing companies 30 days to remove consumers' names from their solicitation lists. Edmondson said the list will be updated on a quarterly basis.

"Consumer sign up is free," Edmondson said. "The telemarketing companies will pay $150 per quarter to access the list. The companies will be required to a sign confidentiality agreement to protect consumer privacy and to prevent the companies from selling the list or any information on the list."

Edmondson said his office is contacting telemarketing companies to inform them of the procedure for obtaining the list.

"We are reaching out to telemarketers as well as consumers," Edmondson said. "It is important these companies know about the new law and the procedures for complying. Unless exempted under law, all companies conducting telephone solicitations in Oklahoma must obtain the list."

The Oklahoma legislature provided exemptions for charitable or religious groups, solicitations for political candidates and causes, solicitations for not-for-profit organizations organized under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, solicitations to arrange a face-to-face meeting between a sales person and consumer and solicitations from telemarketers with whom the consumer has an established business relationship.

Telemarketing companies who do not adhere to the new statute can be found in violation of the state's Consumer Protection Act, Edmondson said.

"This office will vigorously investigate alleged violations," Edmondson said. "If we determine a violation has occurred, we can take the company to district court or assess administrative fines ranging from $1,000 for a first violation up to $10,000 per violation for repeat offenders."

Edmondson said his office has wanted a don't call statute for several years and, in this time of budget crisis, is implementing the new program with no additional funding. The attorney general expects the program to eventually pay for itself through telemarketer registration fees and fines.

Because of the budget crunch, Edmondson is asking Oklahomans in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas who choose to register by phone to call the local numbers.

"Simply put, it's cheaper for us if people in the metro areas call the local numbers," Edmondson said. "We are charged by the minute for calls on the 800 line. The call is free for consumers either way."

The attorney general said the AARP has volunteered to help Oklahomans sign up for the program at the State Fair in Oklahoma City and the Tulsa State Fair. Sign up cards and information sheets will be available at the AARP booth at both fairs.

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