A Senate panel is expected to approve a bill Thursday reauthorizing the mechanism for funding the National Do Not Call Registry.

The bill (S 781) before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee would extend funding for the registry beyond the current fiscal year, when it is scheduled to expire.

The registry, which is operated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), allows consumers to list phone numbers that they want to remain off-limits to telemarketers. It also allows consumers to file complaints about telemarketers that call numbers on the list anyway. The FTC uses that information to investigate and bring civil cases against telemarketers that break the rules.

The program is free to consumers and is funded through an annual fee paid by telemarketers. Right now, a telemarketer pays $62 for each area code of data, with the first five areas free and total fees topping out at $17,050.

The bill is sponsored by Mark Pryor, D-Ark.

The markup is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in 253 Russell.