Lansing, MI — (WOWO) Michigan lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan five-bill package Wednesday aimed at curbing the surge of robocalls and spam texts targeting residents, particularly seniors and vulnerable populations. Bridge Michigan reports that the legislation would give the Department of Attorney General expanded authority to pursue bad actors, including civil fines of up to $100,000, and allow residents to sue for damages resulting from scam calls.

The bills set new guidelines for businesses using automated calls or texts, including:

• Banning calls to numbers on the federal Do Not Call Registry.

• Prohibiting caller ID spoofing to misrepresent a call’s origin.

• Restricting calls to “vulnerable” numbers linked to government, emergency, healthcare, or educational services.

• Limiting call times to 9 a.m.–5 p.m. local time.

• Requiring full disclosure of the caller’s and organization’s identity.

Exceptions would apply for certain membership offers, surveys, and political solicitations.

Michigan residents currently receive over 1 billion robocalls per year, according to the Attorney General’s office, and recent national data show an 11% increase in 2025 compared to 2024.

Senators Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) and Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) emphasized that the legislation is intended to protect Michiganders from harassment and fraud while holding telemarketers accountable.

Assistant Attorney General Kathy Fitzgerald noted that the bills aim to create a stronger regulatory framework for telemarketing and automated communications in Michigan.