Maine House kills bill to curb Internet spam

AUGUSTA – A bill to help computer users block the flow of Internet spam into their computers was killed after an attempt to reach a compromise on the legislation failed.

The bill, LD 2041, was up for final enactment when an amendment weakening it was added in the Senate. A committee set up to work out a compromise was unable to do so as lawmakers rushed toward adjournment, the sponsor said Tuesday.

Rep. Albion Goodwin’s bill would have required those sending unsolicited commercial e-mail to provide a valid return e-mail address or Internet Web site where recipients could decline further communications. It also would allow civil lawsuits against violators.

The amendment would have removed a requirement that all unsolicited commercial mail display “ADV:,” an abbreviation for advertisement, and changed the definition of “unsolicited commercial e-mail.”

Goodwin, D-Pembroke, said he plans to introduce a similar bill next session. He faces no competition so far in his re-election bid.