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HR 3591 98th Congress House

Sales Representation Contractual Relations Act

Official title: A bill to correct inequities in the relationship between sales representatives and their principals, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 9, 1984 See on congress.gov
Commerce Business and commerceCivil actions and liabilityContractsCourts and Civil Procedure
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Employee rightsLabor and EmploymentSales personnel
This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 2, 1983
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 21, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation and Tourism.
Jul 19, 1983
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jul 19, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 2, 1983

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Sales Representation Contractual Relations Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth findings and definitions.

Title II: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Subjects a principal to an indemnification action by a sales representative where a written contract exists between them under which the sales representative solicits orders from accounts and prospective accounts for the merchandise of the principal.

Enumerates items to be included in any such written contract in order to conform with this Act.

Title III: Indemnification - Exempts a principal from any indemnification action brought under this Act where: (1) a contract exists between the principal and sales representative which meets the requirements of Title I; or (2) the conduct of the principal for which indemnification is sought occurred before the sales representative had solicited orders on behalf of the principal for a period of 18 months.

Permits a sales representative to bring an action for indemnification against a principal in any U.S. district court or State court where the principal: (1) terminates, without good cause, a sales representative from the assignment to solicit orders; or (2) reduces the size of any geographical territory assigned, the rate of commission paid, or the number of accounts assigned to a sales representative.

Sets forth a formula for the computation of the amount of indemnification a principal shall pay in such an action.

Provides that in an indemnification brought under this Act, the burden of proof shall be placed on the principal to show that the termination or reduction was for good cause if the sales representative presents certain evidence.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3591: Sales Representation Contractual Relations Act. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3591/
MLA
"H.R. 3591: Sales Representation Contractual Relations Act." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3591/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3591, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3591/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3591: Sales Representation Contractual Relations Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3591/)
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