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HR 5230 114th Congress House

Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016

Official title: To prohibit pyramid promotional schemes, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 13, 2016 Introduced by: Blackburn, Marsha Republican · Tennessee See on congress.gov
Commerce Financial services and investmentsFraud offenses and financial crimesMarketing and advertising
This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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
May 20, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
May 13, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 13, 2016
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 20, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the establishment, operation, or promotion of a pyramid promotional scheme, which is defined as a plan or operation by which a person gives consideration (money or other thing of value) to a participant in the scheme for the right to receive compensation derived primarily from the participant's introduction of another person into the plan or operation rather than from the sale of products to ultimate users.

The bill grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission and requires violations to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5230: Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5230/
MLA
"H.R. 5230: Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5230/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5230, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5230/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5230: Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5230/)
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