Mail Moves America Legislative Update

SB 2132, a Do Not Mail bill, has been introduced in New York by Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn). The bill is a variation on the standard Do Not Mail bill we have seen in that it is styled as a “Do Not Offer” registry. It exempts only existing business relationships and verbal or written requests from the customer. Non-profits appear to be exempted by definition, in that the bill defines a “direct mail marketer” as one who mails for financial profit or commercial purposes. This is a refile of SB1403 from the 2007-2008 session, which never received initial consideration in the Senate. However, the November elections brought the Democrats in control of the Senate, so the dynamic is somewhat different now. There are two other bills we are watching in NY that are not Do Not Mail bills per se, but could have a limiting effect on mail in the state.

This makes the fifth DNM bill we have in 2009, two in CT, two in FL and now one in NY. The Legislative Committee of MMA is reviewing response options.

Ben Cooper
Executive Director
Mail Moves America
1155 21st Street NW/ Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036