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.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Service.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 6, 1999

Amends Federal postal law concerning nonmailable matter to prohibit delivery of any mail constituting a solicitation or offer in connection with a sales promotion for a product or service that uses any game of chance offering anything of value (including any sweepstakes), unless specified notices in a specified font are printed on the envelope and enclosed material. Subjects violations of such prohibition to current cease and desist and other postal law sanctions involving false representations and lotteries.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Rogan, James E. [R-CA-27] · R–CA

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

18 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 20, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Service.
Jan 6, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Jan 6, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E6)
Jan 6, 1999
Introduced in House
Jan 6, 1999
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 6, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.237 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.237, 106th Congress: 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.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/237

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-01-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr237/BILLS-106hr237ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:45:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.237 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.237 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.237, 106th Congress: 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.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/237

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-01-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr237/BILLS-106hr237ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:45:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.237 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.237 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.237, 106th Congress: 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.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/237

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-01-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr237/BILLS-106hr237ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:45:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.237 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.237 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.237, 106th Congress: 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.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/237

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-01-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr237/BILLS-106hr237ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:45:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.237 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.