The U.S. House Commerce Committee unanimously approved an anti-spam bill Wednesday, despite the reservations of some committee members, Reuters reported.
The bill would enable Internet users and Internet service providers (ISPs) to block unsolicited commercial e-mail messages (spam). The bill would also give Internet users the right to remove their names from spammers’ e-mail lists. Companies that send e-mail would be required to notify recipients of this right and include a valid return e-mail address in their messages.
Companies that did not comply would face penalties of $500 for each violation, up to $50,000.
Objections to the bill included one by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), who found fault with a provision that allows ISPs to set their own anti-spam policies. Markey said the provision could block legitimate commercial e-mail, Reuters reported.
Others objected to a new amendment to the bill that would prevent state attorneys general from recouping legal fees incurred when suing spammers. Some members complained that this amendment weakened the bill’s enforcement teeth.
The House of Representatives approved a similar bill last year, but it died in the Senate. This session’s anti-spam bill is considered to have a good chance of passing. The bill must now go through the Judiciary Committee before moving to the full House.
A similar bill was introduced in the Senate on Tuesday.
