PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.4124 / 105th Congress

E-Mail User Protection Act of 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 24, 1998

E-Mail User Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any person from: (1) intentionally soliciting the transmission of unsolicited commercial e-mail from an unregistered or fictitious Internet domain or e-mail address in order to prevent reply through standard reply mechanisms; (2) intentionally using or distributing a computer program or other mechanism or procedure to disguise the source of unsolicited commercial e-mail; (3) intentionally distributing a collection or list of e-mail addresses knowing that persons on such list have previously requested removal from the list; (4) intentionally registering or creating an Internet e-mail account for the sole or primary purpose of disguising the source of unsolicited e-mail messages; (5) directing an unsolicited commercial e-mail message to subscribers of an interactive computer service (service), knowing such to be in contravention to the rules of such service with respect to unsolicited commercial e-mail messages; or (6) accessing the server of a service and using a computer program to collect e-mail addresses of service subscribers in order to send such subscribers unsolicited commercial e-mail or to sell or distribute a list of such subscribers. Considers each transmission received by an individual to be a separate violation for purposes of this Act. Provides appropriate relief for both individuals and service providers. Authorizes a State, through its Attorney General, to bring an action on behalf of its residents for appropriate relief.

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.

Who introduced it

Rep. Cook, Merrill [R-UT-2] · R–UT

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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

    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

    2. Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

    3. Introduced in House

    4. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

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

    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: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    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.4124 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
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.4124 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
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.4124 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
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.4124 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