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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 2214 (108th)

Reduction in Distribution of Spam Act of 2003

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

22 May 2003

Last action

8 July 2003 · Committee

Status

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Sponsors

Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC], Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5], Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3], Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Hart, Melissa A. [R-PA-4], Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6], Rep. Cannon, Chris [R-UT-3], Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5], Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2], Rep. Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3], Rep. Cubin, Barbara [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2], Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6], Rep. Bilirakis, Michael [R-FL-9], Rep. Brady, Kevin [R-TX-8], Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21], Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3], Rep. Green, Mark [R-WI-8], Rep. Foley, Mark [R-FL-16], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. McHugh, John M. [R-NY-23], Rep. Davis, Jo Ann [R-VA-1], Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA], Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large], Rep. Gillmor, Paul E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Fossella, Vito [R-NY-13], Rep. Otter, C. L. (Butch) [R-ID-1], Rep. Janklow, William J. [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Bradley, Jeb [R-NH-1], Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24], Rep. Nethercutt, George R., Jr. [R-WA-5], Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50], Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39], Rep. Burns, Max [R-GA-12], Rep. Gibbons, Jim [R-NV-2], Rep. Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4], Rep. Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. [R-FL-22], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

18 August 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Reduction in Distribution of Spam Act of 2003 - Prohibits a person from initiating in interstate commerce the transmission of any unsolicited commercial electronic (UCE) mail message unless the message contains: (1) identification as an advertisement or solicitation; (2) notice of an opt-out opportunity, along with a mechanism for doing so; and (3) a valid physical street address of the vendor. Prohibits the transmission of UCE mail: (1) after valid objection; (2) with fraudulent header information; and (3) from illegally harvested email addresses. Provides a right of enforcement action for: (1) providers of Internet access service; (2) States on behalf of any of their residents; and (3) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Amends the Federal Criminal code to provide criminal penalties for: (1) falsifying the identify of an UCE mail sender; (2) failing to place warning labels on UCE mail containing sexually oriented material; (3) bulk email violations and repeat offenses; and (4) illegal harvesting of email addresses. Provides for enforcement of such penalties through actions by Internet service providers, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general. Requires the FTC to issue regulations to implement this Act. Requires the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission to report to Congress: (1) regarding the need to protect the rights of users of email to avoid receiving unwanted commercial email; and (2) a detailed analysis of the effectiveness and enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 22 May 2003

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 22 May 2003

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 22 May 2003

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 22 May 2003

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 25 June 2003

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Source: Committee

  6. 1 July 2003

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

    Source: Committee

  7. 8 July 2003

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 22 May 2003

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 22 May 2003

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 22 May 2003

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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