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HR 551 101th Congress House

To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study of deceptive mail practices in conjunction with the sale of products or services related to governmental functions.

Introduced: January 19, 1989 See on congress.gov
Commerce Administrative procedureCongressional reporting requirementsConsumer protectionDeceptive advertising
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EmblemsFraudGovernment and businessGovernment regulationIndependent regulatory commissionsMail-order businessNational emblemsPostal law and legislationPostal servicePricesSigns and symbolsTerms and phrasesTrade regulationTrademarks
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 6, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.
Jan 19, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 19, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 6, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study deceptive mail practices in conjunction with the sale of products or services related to governmental functions, and the severity of consumer injury from such practices. Requires such study to include an examination of solicitations by non-governmental entities for the purchase of products or services which: (1) are provided either free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government; or (2) bear a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or other term or symbol implying the connection, approval, or endorsement of the Federal Government.

Directs the FTC to report on such study to the Congress within 18 months. Directs the FTC to: (1) initiate a trade regulation rule proceeding respecting the deceptive mail practices studied, promptly after completion of the study, if it finds that such a rulemaking is warranted; or (2) include in the report its reasons for determining that such a rulemaking is not warranted.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 551: To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study of deceptive mail practices in conjunction with the sale of products or services related to governmental functions.. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-551/
MLA
"H.R. 551: To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study of deceptive mail practices in conjunction with the sale of products or services related to governmental functions.." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-551/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 551, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-551/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 551: To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study of deceptive mail practices in conjunction with the sale of products or services related to governmental functions.](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-551/)
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