PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Sweepstakes Toll-Free Option Protection Act of 1999

Referred to Subcommittee on International Security.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 6, 1999

Sweepstakes Toll-Free Option Protection Act of 1999 - Declares that matter otherwise legally acceptable in the mails is nonmailable, shall not be carried or delivered by mail, and shall be disposed of as the Postal Service directs, if it is a skill contest or sweepstakes addressed to an individual who made an election to be excluded from all mailing lists used by promoters of skill contests or sweepstakes by mailing a removal request form to the notification system established under this Act.Requires any promoter who mails a skill contest or sweepstakes to: (1) provide with each mailing a clear and conspicuous statement that includes the address and toll-free telephone number of such notification system and states that it can be used to prohibit the mailing of any skill contest or sweepstakes to such individual; and (2) participate in the establishment and maintenance of a uniform notification system that provides for any individual or other duly authorized person to notify the system of the individual's election to have his or her name and address excluded from all lists of names and address used by that promoter to mail such material.Prohibits the commercial use of any list of names and addresses used, maintained, or created by the system.Establishes civil penalties for: (1) persons who violate the prohibition; and (2) promoters who recklessly mail such nonmailable matter or fail to comply substantially with the notification system requirements.

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

Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC] · D–NC

Committees

  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 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 Subcommittee on International Security.

    2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

    3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4891)

    4. Introduced in Senate

    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 20, 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 S.975 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 S.975 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 S.975 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 S.975 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