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To amend title 39, United States Code, to require certain notices in any mailing using a game of chance for the promotion of a product or service, and for other purposes.
To amend title 39, United States Code, to require certain notices in any mailing using a game of chance for the promotion of a product or service, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill amends postal regulations to require clear notices on mailings that use games of chance or sweepstakes to promote products or services. On the envelope, mailings must display the sender's business address and a notice stating "This is a game of chance (or sweepstakes). You may not have automatically won" in at least 14-point font. On the first page of enclosed materials, mailings must include a notice specifying whether a purchase is necessary to win, the mathematical probability of winning, all applicable conditions, and when and how the official winner list will be available. The bill establishes penalties for violations of these disclosure requirements through the Postal Service's enforcement authority.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
Actions (3)
- Sep 29, 1998 Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Service. · house
- Sep 23, 1998 Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. · house
- Sep 23, 1998 Introduced in House
More bills on these subjects (8)
Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 23, 1998
Mr. Rogan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
A BILL
To amend title 39, United States Code, to require certain notices in any mailing using a game of chance for the promotion of a product or service, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. NOTICE REQUIRED ON MAILINGS USING GAMES OF CHANCE.
(a) In General.—Section 3001 of title 39, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsections (j) and (k) as subsections
(k) and (l), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
“(j)(1) Matter otherwise legally acceptable in the mails that constitutes a solicitation or offer in connection with the sales promotion for a product or service that uses any game of chance of winning anything of value (including any sweepstakes) shall not be carried or delivered by mail, and may be disposed of as the Postal Service directs, unless such matter in conspicuous and legible type in contrast by typography, layout, or color with other printing on its face, in accordance with regulations which the Postal Service shall prescribe—
“(A) bears on the envelope—
“(i) the mailing address (and, if different, the address of the location) of the principal place of business of the person making the solicitation or offer; and
“(ii) the following notice: ‘This is a game of chance (or sweepstakes, if applicable). You may not have automatically won.’, or a notice to the same effect in words which the Postal Service may prescribe; and
“(B) bears on the top of the first page of enclosed printed matter—
“(i) the following notice: ‘This is a game of chance (or sweepstakes, if applicable). You may not have automatically won. Your chances of winning are (insert applicable mathematical probability). To win a prize (insert statement as to whether or not any purchase is necessary and a description of all other conditions that apply, if any).’, or a notice to the same effect in words which the Postal Service may prescribe; and
“(ii) a clear and concise statement as to when and how the official list of winners will be made available or may be obtained.
“(2) The notice described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall be printed in at least 14-point font.”.
(b) Penalties.—Section 3005(a) of title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking “3001(d), (h), or (i)” each place it appears and inserting “3001(d), (h), (i), or (j)”. <all>
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