Madison….Wisconsin's No Call List that curbs unwanted telemarketer calls started in 2003 and now lists one million home telephone numbers statewide.

A bill passed this week in the state Senate would let residents register cell phone numbers in addition to land line numbers and let small business register land line and cell phone numbers with the No Call service.

There is however a reason to consider not registering your cell phone number, according to Senator Dale Schultz.

Cell phone numbers are unpublished and current federal law prohibits telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phones. A cell phone number registered on a federal or state No Call list is then available to rogue telemarketers, including some based outside the law’s jurisdiction.

“Unless or until you are bothered by telemarketer calls to your cell phone, you may want to consider leaving well enough alone,” Schultz said.

Another provision of Senate Bill 99 ensures that if you verbally ask a telemarketer over the phone to remove your number from a solicitation list, they must do so. Further, the bill enhances penalties for violations from $100 to not less than $1,000 or more than $10,000. Schultz predicted the bill will also pass in the state Assembly and be enacted into law in Spring 2008.

To register your land line phone number on the free Wisconsin No Call list, simply call 866-966-2255 or go to https://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/registration.asp.