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The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday issued a ruling to exempt government agencies and their contractors from compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the commission's interpretation of its robocall requirements.

Last July, FCC released a declaratory ruling and order that provided limited robocall exemptions under the TCPA for financial institutions making free autodialed calls to consumers. NAFCU has repeatedly raised concerns that the FCC's interpretation of the TCPA will harm consumers by reducing necessary communications regarding their financial services.

The FCC's proposal would place a one-call limitation on reassigned numbers and restrict the number of debt collection calls to three per month, per delinquency – even if the calls go unanswered by the consumer.

NAFCU Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel Carrie Hunt in June urged the FCC to expand the exemption to facilitate credit unions' communication with struggling or delinquent borrowers.

She also asked FCC to revisit its definition of an "autodialer," noting the definition "leaves unclear what type of technology is actually covered." She wrote that the commission's current definition, which is included in this proposal, will discourage credit unions from making important communications to members about their financial accounts for fear of liability.