5/2/03-Legislation in the House to crack down on unwanted junk e-mail, or “spam” is likely dead for the year.
Under H3140, sponsored by Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, a database of residents who do not want to receive unsolicited e-mails would be created.
Companies who violate that provision could face fines between $10,000 and $25,000.
The bill has been in the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry since mid January.
In the Palmetto State, most bills that haven’t received approval by either the House or Senate by May 1 stand little chance of passage in the current legislative term, although a committee recommendation and a two-thirds majority can put a bill back on track at any point.
Because this is the first in a two-year legislative cycle, all bills remaining in committee and those yet to be voted will carry to next year.

3/17/03-South Carolina has taken up the fight to crack down on unwanted junk e-mail, or "spam."
If approved by the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, H3140 could come up for a vote in the House as early as next month.
The intent is to "provide a citizen who does not wish to receive commercial electronic mail solicitations at home with a means of preventing those e-mails, while allowing a commercial solicitor to continue to e-mail a citizen who does wish to receive that electronic mail at home," the bill's sponsor, Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, wrote.
Smith's bill would create a database of residents who do not want to receive unsolicited e-mails. Companies who violate that provision could face fines between $10,000 and $25,000.
For House bill status, call (803) 734-2010.