Unsolicited bulk electronic mail; penalty. (HB1796)

Introduced By

Del. Manoli Loupassi (R-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Unsolicited bulk electronic mail (spam); penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor when a person (1) uses a computer or computer network with the intent to falsify or forge electronic mail transmission information or other routing information in any manner in connection with the transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail ("spam") through or into the computer network of an electronic mail service provider or its subscribers; or (2) knowingly sells, gives, or otherwise distributes or possesses with the intent to sell, give, or distribute software that (i) is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of facilitating or enabling the falsification of the transmission information or other routing information of spam; (ii) has only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to facilitate or enable the falsification of the transmission information or other routing information of spam; or (iii) is marketed by that person acting alone or with another for use in facilitating or enabling the falsification of the transmission information or other routing information of spam. A person is guilty of a Class 6 felony if, in addition to the elements of the Class 1 misdemeanor offense, the volume of spam transmitted exceeds a certain limit or the revenue generated exceeds a certain amount. This bill parallels the existing spam law but limits application to commercial electronic mail. Commercial electronic mail is defined in the bill as electronic mail, the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service (including content on an Internet website operated for a commercial purpose). Read the Bill »

Status

02/23/2009: Failed to Pass in Committee

History

DateAction
01/09/2009Committee
01/09/2009Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 095807606
01/09/2009Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/15/2009Impact statement from VCSC (HB1796)
01/28/2009Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
01/28/2009Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)
02/04/2009Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/06/2009Read first time
02/08/2009Passed by for the day
02/09/2009Read second time and engrossed
02/10/2009Read third time and passed House (96-Y 0-N 2-A)
02/10/2009VOTE: --- PASSAGE (96-Y 0-N 2-A) (see vote tally)
02/11/2009Constitutional reading dispensed
02/11/2009Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/13/2009Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
02/16/2009Impact statement from DPB (HB1796)
02/23/2009Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (9-Y 4-N) (see vote tally)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 1 minute.