August 25th - Coin World reports: "circulating quarter dollars honoring each of the 50 states will be produced at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, says Mint Director Philip N. Diehl, raising the possibility of 100 quarters to be collected over 10 years rather than 50. 'We have the capacity to produce enough coins for this program,' assured Diehl, as he fielded questions from more than 150 collectors who packed a Numismatic Theater session Aug. 1 during the American Numismatic Association's convention in New York City.

July 14th - "Circulating state commems 'will happen'" - excerpt from an article in Coin World

June 10th - the treasury study commissioned by the law concluded that there is significant public support for the program. The Secretary of the Treasury now has until August 1 to decide whether to move ahead with the program. See the congressional press release. 50 States Commemorative Coin Program passed by House and Senate - a Congressional Press Release from Congressman Michael Castle, the sponsor, 10/4/96

If you are interested in seeing the program carried out, write to Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin at the Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220.

History: The United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 cointained a section authorizing a study to determine the feasibility of the 50 States Commemorative Circulating Quarter program, and recommending it be implemented if it the study was positive. It was signed into law on October 20, 1996, becoming Public Law 104-329.

(Originally it was HR 3793, a separate bill.)