Legislative News 

H.R. 395 Does NOT Affect State or Local F.O.P. Lodges

Recently, inquiries have been made regarding the impact of H.R. 395, the "'Do Not Call' Implementation Act," on the fundraising activities of our State and local lodges. However, this legislation does not apply to charities and non-profits or their paid telemarketers, and thus does not affect the Fraternal Order of Police. 

H.R. 395 will allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to collect funds from commercial telemarketers to implement the national "do not call" registry required under the amendments to the

Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) announced in December 2002. In its final rule, the FTC exempted nonprofit organizations and their paid telemarketers from compliance with the "do not call" registry provisions. The F.O.P. worked hard to ensure that this exemption was included in the final rule, and we will remain vigilant to any changes in regulations or legislation which will have a negative impact on our charitable fundraising activities.

Please remember that taking positions for or against Federal legislation is the sole and exclusive province of the Grand Lodge. Because this legislation does not effect the Fraternal Order of Police, we have taken no position on H.R. 395. The F.O.P. has worked hard to build credibility in Washington, and we must use our influence to push for legislation which does impact Federal, State and local law enforcement--such as H.R. 218, and our collective bargaining legislation--and we will not expend our political capital on issues which do not effect our organization or our membership. 

The F.O.P. has enough political battles of our own to fight--let's not get duped into fighting somebody else's battles. 

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For further information or elaboration, please feel free to contact the National Legislative Office at 202.547.8189.