Federal Trade Commission Amendments Act of 1982

Summary

Federal Trade Commission Amendments Act of 1982 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to define "unfair acts or practices" as those causing substantial injury to consumers which are not reasonably avoidable by them nor outweighed by countervailing benefits to them or to competition. Makes the State action doctrine applicable to Commission authority over unfair methods of competition. Exempts from the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) State laws or regulations prescribing the scope of practice of any State-licensed professional. Repeals the authority of the FTC to award participation costs in rulemaking proceedings. Establishes a $1,000,000 limit on civil penalties assessed by the Commission. Permits civil penalty actions to be based only on cease and desist orders, but not consent agreements as currently provided. Permits a defendant to seek review of the Commission's determination that an act or practice was unfair or deceptive, which formed the basis of a cease and desist order against a former defendant. Continues, with modification, the congressional veto procedures governing Commission regulations. Requires the Commission, before issuing any remedial requirements under its consumer protection authority, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Conditions the issuance of proposed rulemaking by the Commission on a determination that the unfair or deceptive acts or practices are "prevalent." Extends the civil investigative demand procedures to the Commission's antitrust authority. Extends through FY 1985 current provisions restricting Commission authority with regard to agricultural cooperatives and trademarks. Prohibits on a permanent basis Commission authority to regulate commercial advertising under the "unfairness" standard. Exempts Federally insured credit unions from Commission jurisdiction. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the FTC in the amounts of $60,838,000 for FY 1983, $55,100,000 for FY 1984, and $54,600,000 for FY 1985.

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Timeline

1. 6 May 1982

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 6 May 1982

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 11 May 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

   Source: Committee

4. 28 May 1982

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 639.

   Source: Calendars

5. 28 May 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood under the authority of the order of May 12, 82 with amendments. With written report No. 97-451.

   Source: Committee

6. 28 May 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood under the authority of the order of May 12, 82 with amendments. With written report No. 97-451.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 28 May 1982

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 6 May 1982

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI-9] · R · Sponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing

Related records

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