Texas Governor Signs Anti-Robocall Bill

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) approved a bill Friday strengthening consumer protections under the state's Telemarketing Disclosure and Privacy Act. SB-140, which takes effect Sept. 1. It expands the definition of a "telephone call" to include texts and other electronic transmissions. Consumers will also have a new private right of action to seek damages against a company for a telemarketing violation and may seek damages as many times as a violation arises. "Expect to see even more aggressive, serial litigants and filings in Texas," wrote telecom attorney Puja Amin in a blog post Tuesday. The law "is a huge gift" to plaintiffs' attorneys who may have "had the doors to federal courthouses closed on similar claims."