H.R. 5097 — Introduced in House

I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5097 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 28, 2016 Mrs. Brooks of Indiana (for herself, Mr. Lance, Mr. Harper, Mr. Olson, Mr. Pompeo, and Mr. Burgess) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the termination of inactive investigations after a period of six months. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Start Taking Action on Lingering Liabilities Act or the STALL Act. 2. Termination of inactive investigations Section 20 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57b–1) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new subsection: (j) Termination of inactive investigation (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), a covered investigation shall terminate at the expiration of the six-month period beginning on the date on which a covered verifiable written communication is sent by the Commission. (2) Exception Paragraph (1) shall not apply if— (A) an additional covered verifiable written communication is sent by the Commission during the period described in paragraph (1); or (B) the Commission votes to extend the covered investigation before the expiration of such period. (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Covered investigation The term covered investigation means an investigation conducted pursuant to this section in which the Commission has notified the person that is the subject of the investigation by verifiable written communication. (B) Covered verifiable written communication The term covered verifiable written communication means a verifiable written communication relating to an investigation conducted pursuant to this section that is sent to the person that is the subject of the investigation. .