End Endless Criminal Statutes Act
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Would repeal or narrow roughly a dozen outdated federal misdemeanor offenses — including writing a check for less than $1, placing unstamped mail in a mailbox, and sledding on Capitol Grounds — and would explicitly permit making metal coins of original design that do not resemble real currency.
It would also strengthen the intent standard before someone can be prosecuted for wearing a postal letter carrier's uniform, limiting that offense to cases where the defendant intended to commit a postal crime.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would repeal or narrow roughly a dozen specific federal criminal provisions that Congress identifies in its findings as unnecessary. The repeals include: the offense of writing a check for less than $1 (18 U.S.C. § 336); criminal penalties for selling oleomargarine or colored margarine not properly labeled or served in a triangular shape; the offense of placing unstamped mailable matter in a mailbox; boarding a vessel before it has fully moored; improperly discarding or misreporting produce; removing a stamp from mail matter; and the prohibition on using Capitol Grounds as a playground or for sledding.
Separately, the bill would amend 18 U.S.C. § 486 to remove coins "of original design" from the counterfeiting prohibition, effectively permitting individuals and organizations to make and circulate original-design metal coins that do not resemble U.S. or foreign currency. It would also add a criminal intent element to the postal letter carrier uniform offense. The bill does not broadly restructure federal criminal law beyond these targeted repeals and amendments.
Key provisions
- 1Would repeal 18 U.S.C. § 336, removing federal criminal liability for writing or passing a check for less than $1.
- 2Would amend 18 U.S.C. § 486 to remove 'or of original design' from the coin prohibition, permitting individuals to make and use original-design metal coins not resembling real currency.
- 3Would repeal 18 U.S.C. § 1725, eliminating the federal offense of placing mailable matter in a mailbox without postage attached.
- 4Would repeal 2 U.S.C. § 1963, ending the federal prohibition on using Capitol Grounds as a playground, including sledding.
- 5Would add a criminal intent requirement to 18 U.S.C. § 1730, limiting the postal letter carrier uniform offense to defendants who intended to commit a postal crime.
- 6Would repeal criminal penalties in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for selling oleomargarine or colored margarine not properly packaged, labeled, or served in a triangular shape.
Who would be affected
Federal prosecutors, who would lose the ability to charge the specific repealed offenses; members of the public who could theoretically face federal criminal liability for conduct like writing a small check, placing an unstamped flyer in a mailbox, or sledding near the Capitol; and coin makers or merchants who would gain explicit permission to produce and circulate original-design metal tokens not resembling real currency.
Why it matters
If enacted, the repealed offenses could no longer support federal criminal charges, removing prosecution risk for conduct Congress considers minor or obsolete. The most practically significant change may be the coin-making provision, which would allow private issuers to create and pass original-design metal tokens without federal criminal liability, provided those coins do not mimic real U.S. or foreign currency.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Repeals 18 U.S.C. § 336 (Sec. 3(a))
Removes federal criminal liability for writing or passing a check for less than $1.
Amends Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 347) (Sec. 3(b))
Removes subsections (b), (c), and (d), eliminating criminal penalties for selling oleomargarine not properly labeled, packaged, or served in triangular shape.
Amends 18 U.S.C. § 486 (Sec. 3(e))
Removes 'or of original design' from the coin prohibition, permitting original-design metal coins that do not resemble real currency.
Repeals 18 U.S.C. § 2279 (Sec. 3(g))
Removes the federal offense of boarding a vessel before it has completely moored at its destination.
Repeals 18 U.S.C. § 1725 (Sec. 3(h))
Removes the federal offense of placing mailable matter in a mailbox without postage attached.
Repeals 2 U.S.C. § 1963 (Sec. 3(i))
Removes the criminal prohibition on using Capitol Grounds as a playground, including sledding when Capitol Police are directed to prevent such use.
Amends 18 U.S.C. § 1730 (Sec. 4)
Adds a criminal intent requirement: wearing a postal letter carrier uniform is only an offense if done with intent to commit a postal crime.
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 98 would decrease revenues and direct spending by an insignificant amount (less than $500,000) over the 2025–2035 period.
H.R. 98 would repeal several rarely-enforced federal criminal statutes — such as the law against writing a check for less than $1. Because criminal penalties under these laws are recorded as revenues and credited to the Crime Victims Fund (and spent without further appropriation), repealing them would marginally reduce both revenues and direct spending (mandatory spending that flows automatically without annual congressional action). CBO found no prosecutions for most of the affected crimes over the past 10 years and estimates any budgetary effect between 2025 and 2035 would be less than $500,000 in total. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined by law, and any administrative costs to implement it would also be insignificant.
How implementation would work
The bill is largely self-executing: each provision takes effect upon enactment by striking specific text or repealing code sections outright, with no rulemaking or agency action required. The one substantive structural change is the intent element added to 18 U.S.C. § 1730 (the postal uniform offense), which would immediately raise the evidentiary standard prosecutors must meet — requiring proof that the defendant intended to commit a postal crime, not merely that they wore the uniform.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 14.
Official CRS summary
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This bill permits individuals and organizations to make and pass metal coins intended for use as real money so long as the coins are of original design (i.e., do not resemble U.S. or foreign currency). Additionally, the bill repeals various federal misdemeanor offenses (i.e., criminal offenses punishable by a maximum prison term of one year or less), including the following:
- writing a check for less than $1,
- selling oleomargarine or colored margarine unless it complies with packaging and labeling requirements and is served in a triangular shape,
- removing a stamp from a piece of mail,
- boarding a vessel without authorization before it has been completely moored, and
- using the Capitol Grounds as a playground.
Legislative subjects
Bank accounts, deposits, capital; Crime and Law Enforcement; Crimes against property; Currency; Fraud offenses and financial crimes; Fruit and vegetables; Marine and inland water transportation; Postal service; U.S. Capitol