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United States · Law · S

S. 335 (106th)

Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 February 1999

Last action

12 December 1999 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 106-168.

Sponsors

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS], Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT], Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO], Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK], Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT], Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC], Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE], Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD], Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR], Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Cleland, Max [D-GA], Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT], Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI], Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI], Sen. Sessions, Jeff [R-AL], Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD], Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC], Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC], Sen. Robb, Charles S. [D-VA], Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA], Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL], Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT], Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV], Sen. Bryan, Richard H. [D-NV], Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT], Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE], Sen. Thompson, Fred [R-TN], Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV], Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA], Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI], Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR], Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM], Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN], Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]

Subjects

Postal service

Source updated

7 April 2025

Postal service

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act - Amends Federal postal law to prohibit the use of any reference to the Postmaster General, a citation to Federal statute, or implication that nonmailable matter is afforded any special protections or status by the Federal Government if such matter constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity for: (1) the purchase of or payment for products or services and containing a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; or (2) information or the contribution of funds or membership fees and containing such terms or symbols which could reasonably be interpreted or construed in the same manner. Allows the mailing of such matter if it does not contain a statement that implies that Federal Government benefits or services will be affected by any purchase, nonpurchase, response, or non-response to such matter. (Sec. 2) Declares that matter otherwise legally acceptable in the mails is nonmailable matter, shall not be carried or delivered by mail, and shall be disposed of as the Postal Service directs if such matter constitutes a solicitation for the purchase of any products that is federally produced, may be obtained without cost from the Federal Government, and does not contain a statement giving notice of such information. Requires the Postal Service to regulate the manner in which such statement should be displayed. (Sec. 3) Prohibits matter otherwise legally acceptable in the mails that relates to a sweepstakes, prize promotion, or award that does not meet specified Postal Service requirements from being carried or delivered by mail. Allows it to be disposed of as the Postal Service directs. Requires persons who: (1) use the mails for any matter that contains sweepstakes entry materials to adopt reasonable practices and procedures to prevent the mailing of such materials to persons who submit written requests that such materials should not be mailed to them; and (2) mail such solicitation materials to maintain or cause to be maintained records of all such requests that permit the suppression of the names of such requesters for a five-year period beginning on the date of the written requests. (Sec. 4) Makes postal law sanctions involving false representations and lotteries applicable to deceptive mailings under this Act. (Sec. 5) Allows the Postal Service to apply for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunctions in the preparation for or during the pendency of proceedings concerning deceptive mailings. (Sec. 6) Increases civil penalties for violation of current postal law sanctions and establishes civil penalties for violation of this Act. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the use of administrative subpoenas by the Postmaster General in any investigation involving nonmailable matter.

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

Timeline

  1. 3 February 1999

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 February 1999

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1145-1146)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 February 1999

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 8 March 1999

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on International Security.

    Source: Committee

  5. 20 May 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 1 July 1999

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 191.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 1 July 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Thompson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 106-102. Additional views filed.

    Source: Committee

  8. 1 July 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Thompson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 106-102. Additional views filed.

    Source: Committee

  9. 2 August 1999

    Reported

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9965-9997, S9982-9998; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S9965-9968)

    Source: Floor

  10. 2 August 1999

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 93-0. Record Vote No: 248.(text: CR S9985-9988)

    Source: Floor

  11. 3 August 1999

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

    Source: IntroReferral

  12. 3 August 1999

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 3 August 1999

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  14. 6 August 1999

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Service.

    Source: Committee

  15. 9 November 1999

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  16. 9 November 1999

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H11818-11822)

    Source: Floor

  17. 9 November 1999

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H11818-11822)

    Source: Floor

  18. 9 November 1999

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 335.

    Source: Floor

  19. 9 November 1999

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11818-11825)

    Source: Floor

  20. 9 November 1999

    Floor

    Mr. McHugh moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  21. 10 November 1999

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

    Source: Floor

  22. 19 November 1999

    Passed

    Senate agreed to House amendment to the Senate bill by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14856-14863; text: CR S14856-14860)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  23. 19 November 1999

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment to the Senate bill by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S14856-14863; text: CR S14856-14860)

    Source: NotUsed

  24. 22 November 1999

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  25. 1 December 1999

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  26. 1 December 1999

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  27. 12 December 1999

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 106-168.

    Source: President

  28. 12 December 1999

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  29. 12 December 1999

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

2 August 1999 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill S. 335 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 93 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 7

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

18 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 12 December 1999

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 12 December 1999

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  • Engrossed Amendment House (text)

    Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 9 November 1999

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  • Engrossed Amendment House (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 9 November 1999

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 9 November 1999

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  • Referred in House (text)

    Referred in House · EN · 3 August 1999

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  • Referred in House (PDF)

    Referred in House · EN · 3 August 1999

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 2 August 1999

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 2 August 1999

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 2 August 1999

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 1 July 1999

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 1 July 1999

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 1 July 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 3 February 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 3 February 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 3 February 1999

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