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State Do Not Mail Registry Bills

To date in 2007, legislation has been introduced in 15 states that would create state-run do not mail registries. Mail Moves America is actively working with state business groups and communicating with legislators about the importance of direct mail for consumers, businesses and the economy.

The following is a summary of the current state bills.

Arkansas

Arkansas H 2725 would prohibit the practice of sending unwanted mail solicitations and to establish a Do Not Mail Registry to be administered by the state’s Attorney General. The bill was referred to the House City, County & Local Affairs Committee. The bill was withdrawn by the sponsor.

Colorado

H. 1303 directs Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission to contract with a designated agent to maintain a Do Not Mail database listing postal patrons who do not wish to receive “junk mail.” The bill was referred to the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. The sponsor postponed the bill indefinitely.

Connecticut

S. 1004 creates a restricted mailing registry, modeled after the state's Do Not Call list in order “to greatly reduce unsolicited junk mail and reduce the waste generated by the printing of materials unwanted by recipients.” The bill was referred to the General Law Committee. A hearing was held February 13.

H. 6881 allows “consumers to join a ‘no-junk mail registry’ to reduce unwanted mail solicitations and waste.” The bill was also referred to the General Law Committee.

Hawaii

S. 908 provides for the establishment of a state Do Not Mail Registry and requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs “to work with postal authorities and private entities to ensure that persons on [the] registry do not receive unwanted solicitations.” The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing, the Judiciary Committee, and the Committee on Ways and Means. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

Maryland

S. 548 would require the Division of Consumer Protection “to establish and provide for the operation of a restricted mailing registry; requiring a person that sends specified solicitations to specified consumers to purchase the registry and updates to the registry from the Division; prohibiting a person from sending specified solicitations to specified consumers after a specified period of time.” The bill was referred to Senate Committee on Finance. A hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday, February 28, 2007. Prior to the hearing, the bill’s sponsor requested that the bill be withdrawn from the hearing.

Michigan

H. 4199 directs the Public Service Commission to establish a Do Not Mail list of residents who have indicated they do not wish to receive mail solicitations. The bill requires mail solicitations to include the full name of the entity for whom the communication was mailed and a telephone number. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Commerce. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

Missouri

H. 542 would require the state’s attorney general to “establish and provide for the operation of a database to compile a list of mailing addresses of residents [who are 65 years old or more and] who object to receiving solicitations."

Montana

H. 718 requires the attorney general to establish and administer a database containing a list of mailing addresses of residents who object to receiving solicitations. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The bill was tabled at the request of the sponsor.

New Jersey

A. 4119 would establish a do not mail registry to be maintained by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill has been referrred to the Assembly's Consumer Affairs Committee.

New York

A. 2520 directed the Consumer Protection Board to establish and maintain a Do Not Mail/E-Mail State Registry listing consumers who do not wish to receive unsolicited direct mail marketing materials. The bill was withdrawn by the sponsor.

S. 1403 directs the Consumer Protection Board to establish a registry of consumers who do not want to receive unsolicited direct mail marketing. The bill also directs the board to provide a way for consumers to register via a toll-free telephone number. The bill was referred to the Consumer Protection Committee. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

North Carolina

H1699 directs the North Carolina Utilities Commission to contract with a designated agent to maintain a “junk mail” opt-out list. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary 1. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

Rhode Island

RI H 6190 directs the Public Utilities Commission to contract with a designated agent to maintain a Do Not Mail database listing postal patrons who do not wish to receive junk mail. The bill was referred to the House Constituent Services Committee. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

Texas

HB 901 directs the state attorney general to establish a Do Not Mail list of residents who have indicated they do not want unsolicited mail solicitations that are applications for loan or credit, sweepstakes or other prize promotions, or communications encouraging the purchase or rental or investment in property, goods, or services if any of those contain the consumer’s identifying information as defined in the state penal code. The bill was referred to the Business and Industry Committee. A hearing on the bill was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2007.

Vermont

VT H 409 directs the state Attorney General to establish a Do Not Mail registry for residents who object to receiving solicitations. A solicitation is defined as any communication via mail for the purpose of encouraging the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, or services. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

Washington

H. 1205 directs the attorney general to establish and maintain a Do Not Mail Registry. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

S. 5719 directs the attorney general to establish and maintain a Do Not Mail Registry. The bill was referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Housing. A hearing was held February 8. This bill carries over to the 2008 session.

If you would like additional information about DMA’s advocacy efforts, please contact Ron Barnes at [email protected].

updated: Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:11 PM