39 U.S.C. § 3622 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 36 / Subchapter I / Section 3622: Modern rate regulation
Modern rate regulation
Status: in_force

(a) Authority Generally.—The Postal Regulatory Commission shall, within 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, by regulation establish (and may from time to time thereafter by regulation revise) a modern system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products.

(b) Objectives.—Such system shall be designed to achieve the following objectives, each of which shall be applied in conjunction with the others:

(1) To maximize incentives to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

(2) To create predictability and stability in rates.

(3) To maintain high quality service standards established under section 3691.

(4) To allow the Postal Service pricing flexibility.

(5) To assure adequate revenues, including retained earnings, to maintain financial stability.

(6) To reduce the administrative burden and increase the transparency of the ratemaking process.

(7) To enhance mail security and deter terrorism.

(8) To establish and maintain a just and reasonable schedule for rates and classifications, however the objective under this paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit the Postal Service from making changes of unequal magnitude within, between, or among classes of mail.

(9) To allocate the total institutional costs of the Postal Service appropriately between market-dominant and competitive products.

(c) Factors.—In establishing or revising such system, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall take into account—

(1) the value of the mail service actually provided each class or type of mail service to both the sender and the recipient, including but not limited to the collection, mode of transportation, and priority of delivery;

(2) the requirement that each class of mail or type of mail service bear the direct and indirect postal costs attributable to each class or type of mail service through reliably identified causal relationships plus that portion of all other costs of the Postal Service reasonably assignable to such class or type;

(3) the effect of rate increases upon the general public, business mail users, and enterprises in the private sector of the economy engaged in the delivery of mail matter other than letters;

(4) the available alternative means of sending and receiving letters and other mail matter at reasonable costs;

(5) the degree of preparation of mail for delivery into the postal system performed by the mailer and its effect upon reducing costs to the Postal Service;

(6) simplicity of structure for the entire schedule and simple, identifiable relationships between the rates or fees charged the various classes of mail for postal services;

(7) the importance of pricing flexibility to encourage increased mail volume and operational efficiency;

(8) the relative value to the people of the kinds of mail matter entered into the postal system and the desirability and justification for special classifications and services of mail;

(9) the importance of providing classifications with extremely high degrees of reliability and speed of delivery and of providing those that do not require high degrees of reliability and speed of delivery;

(10) the desirability of special classifications for both postal users and the Postal Service in accordance with the policies of this title, including agreements between the Postal Service and postal users, when available on public and reasonable terms to similarly situated mailers, that—

(A) either—

(i) improve the net financial position of the Postal Service through reducing Postal Service costs or increasing the overall contribution to the institutional costs of the Postal Service; or

(ii) enhance the performance of mail preparation, processing, transportation, or other functions; and

(B) do not cause unreasonable harm to the marketplace.

(11) the educational, cultural, scientific, and informational value to the recipient of mail matter;

(12) the need for the Postal Service to increase its efficiency and reduce its costs, including infrastructure costs, to help maintain high quality, affordable postal services;

(13) the value to the Postal Service and postal users of promoting intelligent mail and of secure, sender-identified mail; and

(14) the policies of this title as well as such other factors as the Commission determines appropriate.

(d) Requirements.—

(1) In general.—The system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products shall—

(A) include an annual limitation on the percentage changes in rates to be set by the Postal Regulatory Commission that will be equal to the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers unadjusted for seasonal variation over the most recent available 12-month period preceding the date the Postal Service files notice of its intention to increase rates;

(B) establish a schedule whereby rates, when necessary and appropriate, would change at regular intervals by predictable amounts;

(C) not later than 45 days before the implementation of any adjustment in rates under this section, including adjustments made under subsection (c)(10)—

(i) require the Postal Service to provide public notice of the adjustment;

(ii) provide an opportunity for review by the Postal Regulatory Commission;

(iii) provide for the Postal Regulatory Commission to notify the Postal Service of any noncompliance of the adjustment with the limitation under subparagraph (A); and

(iv) require the Postal Service to respond to the notice provided under clause (iii) and describe the actions to be taken to comply with the limitation under subparagraph (A);

(D) establish procedures whereby the Postal Service may adjust rates not in excess of the annual limitations under subparagraph (A); and

(E) notwithstanding any limitation set under subparagraphs (A) and (C), and provided there is not sufficient unused rate authority under paragraph (2)(C), establish procedures whereby rates may be adjusted on an expedited basis due to either extraordinary or exceptional circumstances, provided that the Commission determines, after notice and opportunity for a public hearing and comment, and within 90 days after any request by the Postal Service, that such adjustment is reasonable and equitable and necessary to enable the Postal Service, under best practices of honest, efficient, and economical management, to maintain and continue the development of postal services of the kind and quality adapted to the needs of the United States.

(2) Limitations.—

(A) Classes of mail.—Except as provided under subparagraph (C), the annual limitations under paragraph (1)(A) shall apply to a class of mail, as defined in the Domestic Mail Classification Schedule as in effect on the date of enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act.

(B) Rounding of rates and fees.—Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the Postal Service from rounding rates and fees to the nearest whole integer, if the effect of such rounding does not cause the overall rate increase for any class to exceed the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

(C) Use of unused rate authority.—

(i) Definition.—In this subparagraph, the term "unused rate adjustment authority" means the difference between—

(I) the maximum amount of a rate adjustment that the Postal Service is authorized to make in any year subject to the annual limitation under paragraph (1); and

(II) the amount of the rate adjustment the Postal Service actually makes in that year.

(ii) Authority.—Subject to clause (iii), the Postal Service may use any unused rate adjustment authority for any of the 5 years following the year such authority occurred.

(iii) Limitations.—In exercising the authority under clause (ii) in any year, the Postal Service—

(I) may use unused rate adjustment authority from more than 1 year;

(II) may use any part of the unused rate adjustment authority from any year;

(III) shall use the unused rate adjustment authority from the earliest year such authority first occurred and then each following year; and

(IV) for any class or service, may not exceed the annual limitation under paragraph (1) by more than 2 percentage points.

(3) Review.—Ten years after the date of enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act and as appropriate thereafter, the Commission shall review the system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products established under this section to determine if the system is achieving the objectives in subsection (b), taking into account the factors in subsection (c). If the Commission determines, after notice and opportunity for public comment, that the system is not achieving the objectives in subsection (b), taking into account the factors in subsection (c), the Commission may, by regulation, make such modification or adopt such alternative system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products as necessary to achieve the objectives.

(e) Workshare Discounts.—

(1) Definition.—In this subsection, the term "workshare discount" refers to rate discounts provided to mailers for the presorting, prebarcoding, handling, or transportation of mail, as further defined by the Postal Regulatory Commission under subsection (a).

(2) Scope.—The Postal Regulatory Commission shall ensure that such discounts do not exceed the cost that the Postal Service avoids as a result of workshare activity, unless—

(A) the discount is—

(i) associated with a new postal service, a change to an existing postal service, or with a new work share initiative related to an existing postal service; and

(ii) necessary to induce mailer behavior that furthers the economically efficient operation of the Postal Service and the portion of the discount in excess of the cost that the Postal Service avoids as a result of the workshare activity will be phased out over a limited period of time;

(B) the amount of the discount above costs avoided—

(i) is necessary to mitigate rate shock; and

(ii) will be phased out over time;

(C) the discount is provided in connection with subclasses of mail consisting exclusively of mail matter of educational, cultural, scientific, or informational value; or

(D) reduction or elimination of the discount would impede the efficient operation of the Postal Service.

(3) Limitation.—Nothing in this subsection shall require that a work share discount be reduced or eliminated if the reduction or elimination of the discount would—

(A) lead to a loss of volume in the affected category or subclass of mail and reduce the aggregate contribution to the institutional costs of the Postal Service from the category or subclass subject to the discount below what it otherwise would have been if the discount had not been reduced or eliminated; or

(B) result in a further increase in the rates paid by mailers not able to take advantage of the discount.

(4) Report.—Whenever the Postal Service establishes a workshare discount rate, the Postal Service shall, at the time it publishes the workshare discount rate, submit to the Postal Regulatory Commission a detailed report that—

(A) explains the Postal Service's reasons for establishing the rate;

(B) sets forth the data, economic analyses, and other information relied on by the Postal Service to justify the rate; and

(C) certifies that the discount will not adversely affect rates or services provided to users of postal services who do not take advantage of the discount rate.

(f) Transition Rule.—For the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, rates and classes for market-dominant products shall remain subject to modification in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and section 407, as such provisions were last in effect before the date of enactment of this section. Proceedings initiated to consider a request for a recommended decision filed by the Postal Service during that 1-year period shall be completed in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 36 of this title and implementing regulations, as in effect before the date of enactment of this section.

(Added Pub. L. 109–435, title II, §201(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3201.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section and the date of enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, referred to in subsecs. (a), (d)(2)(A), (3), and (f), are the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–435, which was approved Dec. 20, 2006.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3622, Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 760; Pub. L. 94–421, §10, Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1311; Pub. L. 105–241, §5, Sept. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 1573; Pub. L. 106–384, §1(a), Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1460, related to rates and fees, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–435, title II, §201(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3200.
39 U.S.C. § 1007 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 10 / Section 1007: Seniority for employees in rural service
Seniority for employees in rural service
Status: in_force

Subject to agreements made under chapter 12 of this title, the seniority of an employee of the Postal Service occupying a position whose regular duty involves the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route shall be preserved. Seniority for such employee shall commence on the first day of his service in such a position, or, in the event such an employee transfers to another such position, on the day he enters duty in the other position. Upon initial assignment, such an employee shall be assigned to the least desirable route and shall attain assignment to more desirable routes by seniority. Promotions and assignments for such an employee in such position shall be based on seniority and ability. If ability be sufficient, seniority shall govern.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 732.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3621 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 36 / Subchapter I / Section 3621: Applicability; definitions
Applicability; definitions
Status: in_force

(a) Applicability.—This subchapter shall apply with respect to—

(1) first-class mail letters and sealed parcels;

(2) first-class mail cards;

(3) periodicals;

(4) standard mail;

(5) single-piece parcel post;

(6) media mail;

(7) bound printed matter;

(8) library mail;

(9) special services; and

(10) single-piece international mail,

subject to any changes the Postal Regulatory Commission may make under section 3642.

(b) Rule of Construction.—Mail matter referred to in subsection (a) shall, for purposes of this subchapter, be considered to have the meaning given to such mail matter under the mail classification schedule.

(Added Pub. L. 109–435, title II, §201(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3200.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3621, Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 760, authorized the Governors to fix rates and classes, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–435, title II, §201(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3200.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Ratemaking Limitations

Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, §704(b)(2), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1270, provided that:

"(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), rates of postage may not be established, under subchapter II [now I] of chapter 36 of title 39, United States Code, in a manner designed to allow the United States Postal Service to receive through revenues any portion of the additional revenues (referred to in section 2401(d) of such title, as amended by paragraph (1)(E)) for which amounts are authorized to be appropriated under such section 2401(d).

"(B) Exception.—If Congress fails to appropriate an amount authorized under section 2401(d) of title 39, United States Code (as amended by paragraph (1)(E)), rates for the various classes of mail may be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of subchapter II [now I] of chapter 36 of such title (excluding section 3627 thereof) such that the resulting increase in revenues will equal the amount that Congress so failed to appropriate."
39 U.S.C. § 3206 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 32 / Section 3206: Reimbursement for penalty mail service
Reimbursement for penalty mail service
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, executive departments and agencies, independent establishments of the Government of the United States, and Government corporations concerned, shall transfer to the Postal Service as postal revenue out of any appropriations or funds available to them, as a necessary expense of the appropriations or funds and of the activities concerned, the equivalent amount of postage due, as determined by the Postal Service, for matter sent in the mails by or to them as penalty mail under authority of section 3202 of this title.

(b) The Department of Agriculture shall transfer to the Postal Service as postal revenues out of any appropriations made to it for that purpose the equivalent amount of postage, as determined by the Postal Service, for penalty mailings under clauses (1)(F) and (4) of section 3202(a) of this title.

(c) The Department of State shall transfer to the Postal Service as postal revenues out of any appropriations made to it for that purpose the equivalent amount of postage, as determined by the Postal Service, for penalty mailings under clause (1)(C) and (D) of section 3202(a) of this title.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 93–191, §9, Dec. 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 745; Pub. L. 94–553, §105(e), Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2599.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–553 substituted "subsection (b)" for "subsections (b) and (c)".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 94–553 redesignated subsec. (d) as (c). Former subsec. (c), directing the Library of Congress to transfer to the Postal Service as postal revenues out of any appropriations made to the Library for that purpose the equivalent amount of postage, as determined by the Postal Service, for penalty mailings under clause (5) of section 3202(a) of this title, was struck out.

1973—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–191 added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–553 effective Jan. 1, 1978, see section 102 of Pub. L. 94–553, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 17, Copyrights.

Effective Date of 1973 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–191 effective Dec. 18, 1973, see section 14 of Pub. L. 93–191, set out as a note under section 3210 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 2009 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 20 / Section 2009: Annual budget
Annual budget
Status: in_force

The Postal Service shall cause to be prepared annually a budget program which shall be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, under such rules and regulations as the President may establish as to the date of submission, the form and content, the classifications of data, and the manner in which such budget program shall be prepared and presented. The budget program shall be a business-type budget, or plan of operations, with due allowance given to the need for flexibility, including provision for emergencies and contingencies, in order that the Postal Service may properly carry out its activities as authorized by law. The budget program shall contain estimates of the financial condition and operations of the Postal Service for the current and ensuing fiscal years and the actual condition and results of operation for the last completed fiscal year. Such budget program shall include a statement of financial condition, a statement of income and expense, an analysis of surplus or deficit, a statement of sources and application of funds, and such other supplementary statements and information as are necessary or desirable to make known the financial condition and operations of the Postal Service. Such statements shall include estimates of operations by major types of activities, together with estimates of administrative expenses and estimates of borrowings. The budget program shall also include separate statements of the amounts which (1) the Postal Service requests to be appropriated under subsections (b) and (c) of section 2401, and (2) the Office of Inspector General of the United States Postal Service requests to be appropriated, out of the Postal Service Fund, under section 415(f) of title 5. The President shall include these amounts, with his recommendations but without revision, in the budget transmitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 742; Pub. L. 93–328, §3, June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 288; Pub. L. 97–258, §3(l)(2), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1066; Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, §603(c)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3241; Pub. L. 117–108, title II, §205(b)(2), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1148; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(67), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4350.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–286, which directed substitution of "section 415(f) of title 5," for "section 8G(f) of the Inspector General Act of 1978,", was executed by substituting "section 415(f) of title 5" for "section 8G(f) of the Inspector General Act of 1978" to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 117–108, which had struck out the comma after "1978". See below.

Pub. L. 117–108 inserted "and" before "(2)" and struck out ", and (3) the Postal Regulatory Commission requests to be appropriated, out of the Postal Service Fund, under section 504(d) of this title" after "Inspector General Act of 1978".

2006—Pub. L. 109–435 substituted "The budget program shall also include separate statements of the amounts which (1) the Postal Service requests to be appropriated under subsections (b) and (c) of section 2401, (2) the Office of Inspector General of the United States Postal Service requests to be appropriated, out of the Postal Service Fund, under section 8G(f) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, and (3) the Postal Regulatory Commission requests to be appropriated, out of the Postal Service Fund, under section 504(d) of this title." for "The budget program shall also include separate statements of the amounts which the Postal Service requests to be appropriated under subsections (b) and (c) of section 2401 of this title."

1982—Pub. L. 97–258 substituted "section 1105 of title 31" for "section 11 of title 31".

1974—Pub. L. 93–328 required the budget program to include separate statements of the amounts which the Postal Service requests to be appropriated under section 2401(b) and (c) of this title and the President to include these amounts in the budget transmitted to Congress.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment; Savings Provisions

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–435 applicable with respect to fiscal years beginning on or after Oct. 1, 2008, subject to savings provisions, see section 603(d) of Pub. L. 109–435, set out as a note under section 504 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Operations of Inspector General as Major Type of Activity for Budget Purposes

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §662(a)(3)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–379, provided that: "For purposes of the fifth sentence of section 2009 of title 39, United States Code, the operations of the Office of Inspector General of the United States Postal Service shall be considered a major type of activity."
39 U.S.C. § 3009 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3009: Mailing of unordered merchandise
Mailing of unordered merchandise
Status: in_force

(a) Except for (1) free samples clearly and conspicuously marked as such, and (2) merchandise mailed by a charitable organization soliciting contributions, the mailing of unordered merchandise or of communications prohibited by subsection (c) of this section constitutes an unfair method of competition and an unfair trade practice in violation of section 45(a)(1) of title 15.

(b) Any merchandise mailed in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or within the exceptions contained therein, may be treated as a gift by the recipient, who shall have the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender. All such merchandise shall have attached to it a clear and conspicuous statement informing the recipient that he may treat the merchandise as a gift to him and has the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender.

(c) No mailer of any merchandise mailed in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or within the exceptions contained therein, shall mail to any recipient of such merchandise a bill for such merchandise or any dunning communications.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "unordered merchandise" means merchandise mailed without the prior expressed request or consent of the recipient.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 749.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 504 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 5 / Section 504: Administration
Administration
Status: in_force

(a) The Chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission shall be the principal executive officer of the Commission. The Chairman shall exercise or direct the exercise of all the executive and administrative functions of the Commission, including functions of the Commission with respect to (1) the appointment of personnel employed under the Commission, except that the appointment of heads of major administrative units under the Commission shall require the approval of a majority of the members of the Commission, (2) the supervision of the personnel employed under the Commission and the distribution of business among them and among the Commissioners, and (3) the use and expenditure of funds.

(b) In carrying out any of his functions under this section, the Chairman shall be governed by the general policies of the Commission.

(c) The Chairman may obtain such facilities and supplies as may be necessary to permit the Commission to carry out its functions. Any officer or employee appointed under this section shall be paid at rates of compensation and shall be entitled to programs offering employee benefits established under chapter 10 or chapter 12 of this title, as appropriate.

(d)(1) Not later than September 1 of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2022), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall submit to the Postal Service a budget of the Commission's expenses, including expenses for facilities, supplies, compensation, and employee benefits, for the following fiscal year. Any such budget shall be deemed approved as submitted if the Governors fail to adjust the budget in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2)(A) Not later than 30 days after receiving a budget under paragraph (1), the Governors holding office, by unanimous written decision, may adjust the total amount of funding requested in such budget. Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to authorize the Governors to adjust any activity proposed to be funded by the budget.

(B) If the Governors adjust the budget under subparagraph (A), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall adjust the suballocations within such budget to reflect the total adjustment made by the Governors. The budget shall be deemed approved on the date the Commission makes any such adjustments. The Commission may make further adjustments to the suballocations within such budget as necessary.

(3) Expenses incurred under any budget approved under this subsection shall be paid out of the Postal Service Fund established under section 2003.

(e) The provisions of section 410 and chapter 10 of this title shall apply to the Commission, as appropriate.

(f)(1) Any Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, any administrative law judge appointed by the Commission under section 3105 of title 5, and any employee of the Commission designated by the Commission may administer oaths, examine witnesses, take depositions, and receive evidence.

(2) The Chairman of the Commission, any Commissioner designated by the Chairman, and any administrative law judge appointed by the Commission under section 3105 of title 5 may, with respect to any proceeding conducted by the Commission under this title or to obtain information to be used to prepare a report under this title—

(A) issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and presentation of testimony by, or the production of documentary or other evidence in the possession of, any covered person; and

(B) order the taking of depositions and responses to written interrogatories by a covered person.

The written concurrence of a majority of the Commissioners then holding office shall, with respect to each subpoena under subparagraph (A), be required in advance of its issuance.

(3) In the case of contumacy or failure to obey a subpoena issued under this subsection, upon application by the Commission, the district court of the United States for the district in which the person to whom the subpoena is addressed resides or is served may issue an order requiring such person to appear at any designated place to testify or produce documentary or other evidence. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term "covered person" means an officer, employee, agent, or contractor of the Postal Service.

(g)(1) If the Postal Service determines that any document or other matter it provides to the Postal Regulatory Commission under a subpoena issued under subsection (f), or otherwise at the request of the Commission in connection with any proceeding or other purpose under this title, contains information which is described in section 410(c) of this title, or exempt from public disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5, the Postal Service shall, at the time of providing such matter to the Commission, notify the Commission, in writing, of its determination (and the reasons therefor).

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), no officer or employee of the Commission may, with respect to any information as to which the Commission has been notified under paragraph (1)—

(A) use such information for purposes other than the purposes for which it is supplied; or

(B) permit anyone who is not an officer or employee of the Commission to have access to any such information.

(3)(A) Paragraph (2) shall not prohibit the Commission from publicly disclosing relevant information in furtherance of its duties under this title, provided that the Commission has adopted regulations under section 553 of title 5, that establish a procedure for according appropriate confidentiality to information identified by the Postal Service under paragraph (1). In determining the appropriate degree of confidentiality to be accorded information identified by the Postal Service under paragraph (1), the Commission shall balance the nature and extent of the likely commercial injury to the Postal Service against the public interest in maintaining the financial transparency of a government establishment competing in commercial markets.

(B) Paragraph (2) shall not prevent the Commission from requiring production of information in the course of any discovery procedure established in connection with a proceeding under this title. The Commission shall, by regulations based on rule 26(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, establish procedures for ensuring appropriate confidentiality for information furnished to any party.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 759, §3604; Pub. L. 94–421, §4, Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1305; renumbered §504 and amended Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, §§601(a)(3), 602, 603(a), 604(a), 605(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3239–3242; Pub. L. 117–108, title II, §§205(a), 209(d), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1147, 1152; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(64), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4350.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Rule 26(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to subsec. (g)(3)(B), is set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–108, §205(a), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated, out of the Postal Service Fund, such sums as may be necessary for the Postal Regulatory Commission. In requesting an appropriation under this subsection for a fiscal year, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the Congress under section 2009 a budget of the Commission's expenses, including expenses for facilities, supplies, compensation, and employee benefits."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–108, §209(d), struck out subsec. (h) which read as follows:

"(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title or of the Inspector General Act of 1978, the authority to select, appoint, and employ officers and employees of the Office of Inspector General of the Postal Regulatory Commission, and to obtain any temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants (or an organization of experts or consultants) for such Office, shall reside with the Inspector General of the Postal Regulatory Commission.

"(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1), any exercise of authority under this subsection shall, to the extent practicable, be in conformance with the applicable laws and regulations that govern selections, appointments, and employment, and the obtaining of any such temporary or intermittent services, within the Postal Regulatory Commission."

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 117–286, which directed substitution of "chapter 4 of title 5," for "the Inspector General Act of 1978,", could not be executed because of the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 117–108, §209(d). See above.

2006—Pub. L. 109–435, §601(a)(3), renumbered section 3604 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435, §604(a), substituted "Postal Regulatory Commission" for "Postal Rate Commission".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–435, §603(a), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) related to preparation, submission, and approval of Commission's budget and payment of expenses incurred under approved budget.

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 109–435, §602, added subsecs. (f) and (g).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–435, §605(b), added subsec. (h).

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–421 increased the authority of the Chairman to the exercise of all executive and administrative functions, including appointment of personnel and control over use and expenditure of funds, and struck out requirement that all final acts of the Commissioners be by a vote of an absolute majority.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–421 added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c) and amended.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–421 redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c), transferred authority to obtain facilities and supplies from the Commission to the chairman, and struck out the authority of the Commission to appoint and fix compensation of officers and employees and requiring them to be responsible to the Commissioners. Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 94–421 redesignated former subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively, and in subsec. (d), as so redesignated, made minor changes in phraseology.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2022 Amendment

Amendment by section 209(d) of Pub. L. 117–108 effective 180 days after Apr. 6, 2022, see section 209(e) of Pub. L. 117–108, set out as a note under section 202 of this title.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment; Savings Provisions

Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, §603(d), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3241, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 2003 and 2009 of this title, and former section 8G of Pub. L. 95–452, see section 415 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008.

"(2) Savings provision.—The provisions of title 39, United States Code, and the Inspector General Act of 1978 ([former] 5 U.S.C. App.) [see 5 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] that are amended by this section shall, for purposes of any fiscal year before the first fiscal year to which the amendments made by this section apply, continue to apply in the same way as if this section had never been enacted."

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 11570. Regulation of Conduct for Postal Rate Commission and Its Employees

Ex. Ord. No. 11570, Nov. 24, 1970, 35 F.R. 18183, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, provided:

Under the Postal Reorganization Act (Public Law 91–375) [this title], the Postal Rate Commission [now Postal Regulatory Commission] (referred to hereafter as the "Commission") is charged with the establishment and adjustment of fair and equitable rates of postage, fees for postal services, and classifications of mail. It is essential to public confidence in the United States Postal Service that the activities, procedures, decisions, and recommendations of the Commission be impartial and disinterested and free from taint or suspicion of favoritism of any kind whatsoever, both in fact and in appearance.

NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 301 of Title 3, and Section 7301 of Title 5, United States Code, and the Postal Reorganization Act [this title], it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 101. The Commission is subject to Executive Order No. 11222 of May 8, 1965 [formerly set out as a note under section 201 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure], "Prescribing Standards of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees," and Part 735 of the regulations of the Office of Personnel Management (5 CFR Part 735).

Sec. 102. The Office of Personnel Management shall prepare initial standards of conduct regulations for the Commission. The regulations shall contain such provisions as will ensure that the Commissioners and employees of the Commission are fully guarded against involvement in conflicts of interest situations, or the appearance thereof, or other conduct that may lessen public confidence. The regulations shall include provision for:

(a) concurrent filing of confidential statements of outside employment and financial interests by employees of the Commission with a designated official of the Commission and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management;

(b) strict control of ex parte contacts with the Commission and the Commissioners or employees of the Commission regarding particular matters at issue in contested proceedings before the Commission. The control of such contacts shall include, but not be limited to, the maintenance of public records of such contacts which fully identify the individuals involved and the nature of the subject matter discussed; and

(c) prohibition against the receipt of honoraria, travel expenses, entertainment, gifts, loans, favors, or anything of value by a Commissioner or employee of the Commission from an individual (other than one having a close family or personal relationship) or organization having, or likely to have, business with the Commission.

Sec. 103. The Office of Personnel Management shall issue the initial standards of conduct regulations applicable to the Commission not later than 120 days after the effective date of this Order. Thereafter, the Office may from time to time amend the regulations, consistent with this Order. The regulations and any amendments thereto shall be published in the Federal Register.
39 U.S.C. § 3013 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3013: Semiannual reports on investigative activities of the Postal Service
Semiannual reports on investigative activities of the Postal Service
Status: in_force

The Postmaster General shall submit semiannual reports to the Inspector General summarizing the investigative activities of the Postal Service. One semiannual report shall be submitted for the reporting period beginning on October 1 and ending on March 31, and the other semiannual report shall be submitted for the reporting period beginning on April 1 and ending on September 30. Each such report shall be submitted within 1 month (or such shorter length of time as the Inspector General may specify) after the close of the reporting period involved and shall include with respect to such reporting period—

(1) a summary of any proceedings instituted under section 3005 of this title, and the results of those and of any other such proceedings decided, settled, or otherwise concluded during such period;

(2) the number of cases in which the authority described in section 3005(e) of this title was used;

(3) the number of applications for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions submitted under section 3007 of this title and, of those applications, the number granted;

(4) the total amount of expenditures and obligations incurred in carrying out the investigative activities of the Postal Service;

(5) the number of cases in which the authority described in section 3016 was used, and a comprehensive statement describing how that authority was used in each of those cases; and

(6) such other information relating to the investigative activities of the Postal Service as the Inspector General may require.

The information in a report submitted under this section to the Inspector General with respect to a reporting period shall be included as part of the semiannual report prepared by the Inspector General under section 405 of title 5 for the same reporting period. Nothing in this section shall be considered to permit or require that any report by the Postmaster General under this section include any information relating to activities of the Inspector General.

(Added Pub. L. 98–186, §3(a), Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1317; amended Pub. L. 104–66, title II, §2211(b), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 733; Pub. L. 106–168, title I, §§107(c), 110(b)(1), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1813, 1817; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(69), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4350.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "section 405 of title 5" for "section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978" in concluding provisions.

1999—Pub. L. 106–168, §110(b)(1), in introductory provisions, substituted "Inspector General" for "Board" and "1 month (or such shorter length of time as the Inspector General may specify)" for "sixty days" and substituted concluding provisions for former concluding provisions which read as follows: "Upon approval of a report submitted under the first sentence of this section, the information in such report shall be included in the next semiannual report required under section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)."

Par. (5). Pub. L. 106–168, §107(c), added par. (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Par. (6). Pub. L. 106–168, §110(b)(1)(A), substituted "Inspector General" for "Board".

Pub. L. 106–168, §107(c), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

1995—Pub. L. 104–66 substituted at end "the information in such report shall be included in the next semiannual report required under section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)" for "the Board shall transmit such report to the Congress".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by section 107(c) of Pub. L. 106–168 effective 120 days after Dec. 12, 1999, see section 111 of Pub. L. 106–168, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.

Pub. L. 106–168, title I, §110(b)(2), (3), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1817, provided that:

"(2) Effective date.—This subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 1999], and the amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to semiannual reporting periods beginning on or after such date of enactment.

"(3) Savings provision.—For purposes of any semiannual reporting period preceding the first semiannual reporting period referred to in paragraph (2), the provisions of title 39, United States Code, shall continue to apply as if the amendments made by this subsection had not been enacted."
39 U.S.C. § 3002 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3002: Nonmailable motor vehicle master keys
Nonmailable motor vehicle master keys
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any motor vehicle master key, any pattern, impression, or mold from which a motor vehicle master key may be made, or any advertisement for the sale of any such key, pattern, impression, or mold, is nonmailable matter and shall not be carried or delivered by mail.

(b) The Postal Service is authorized to make such exemptions from the provisions of subsection (a) of this section as it deems necessary.

(c) For the purposes of this section, "motor vehicle master key" means any key (other than the key furnished by the manufacturer with the motor vehicle, or the key furnished with a replacement lock, or any exact duplicate of such keys) designed to operate 2 or more motor vehicle ignition, door, or trunk locks of different combinations.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 746.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3692 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 36 / Subchapter VII / Section 3692: Performance targets and transparency
Performance targets and transparency
Status: in_force

(a) Performance Targets.—Each year, to ensure that mail service for postal customers meets the service standards for market-dominant products, established under section 3691, the Postal Service shall—

(1) not later than 60 days after the beginning of the fiscal year in which they will apply, establish and provide to the Postal Regulatory Commission reasonable targets for performance for each product; and

(2) provide the previous fiscal year's performance targets in its Annual Compliance Report to the Postal Regulatory Commission for evaluation of compliance for each product.

(b) Postal Regulatory Commission Determination of Certain Performance Information.—Not later than 90 days after first receiving the performance targets under subsection (a)(1), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall provide to the Postal Service—

(1) requirements for the Postal Service to publish nationwide, regional, and local delivery area performance information in accordance with subsection (c)(2) that—

(A) are consistent with the organizational structure of the delivery network of the Postal Service (including at the District and Area organizational levels, or the functional equivalents, and, to the extent practicable, at the U.S. ZIP Code Area level);

(B) reflect the most granular geographic level of performance information appropriate for the Postal Service to publish; and

(C) includes time period segments for the published geographic levels to satisfy the publishing requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of subsection (c)(2); and

(2) recommendations for any modifications to the Postal Service's measurement systems necessary to measure and publish the performance information under subsection (c)(2) that the Postal Regulatory Commission deems relevant.

(c) Public Performance Dashboard.—

(1) In general.—The Postal Service shall develop and maintain a publicly available Website with an interactive web-tool that provides performance information for market-dominant products that is updated on a weekly basis.

(2) Performance information.—The performance information provided for a market-dominant product on the Website shall include—

(A) the type of market-dominant product;

(B) performance information for different geographic areas, consistent with subsection (b);

(C) performance information for different time periods, including annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly segments;

(D) comparisons of performance information for market-dominant products to performance information for previous time periods to facilitate identification of performance trends; and

(E) the performance targets then in effect, and the performance targets for the previous fiscal year, as established under subsection (a)(1).

(3) Comprehensibility.—The Website shall include plain language descriptions of the elements required under paragraph (2) and information on the collection process, measurement methodology, completeness, accuracy, and validity of the performance information provided on the Website.

(4) Address search functionality.—The Website shall include functionality to enable a user to search for performance information by street address, ZIP Code, or post office box.

(5) Format.—The Postal Service shall make the performance information provided on the Website available—

(A) in a manner that—

(i) presents the information required under paragraph (2) on an interactive dashboard;

(ii) is searchable and may be sorted and filtered by the elements described in paragraph (2); and

(iii) to the extent practicable, enables any person or entity to download in bulk—

(I) such performance information; and

(II) the results of a search by the elements described in paragraph (2);

(B) under an "open license" which has the meaning given that term in section 3502 of title 44; and

(C) as an "open Government data asset" and in a "machine-readable" format which have the meaning given those terms in section 3502 of title 44.

(6) Consultation.—The Postal Service shall regularly consult with the Postal Regulatory Commission on appropriate features and information to be included on the Website.

(7) Public input.—The Postal Service shall—

(A) solicit public input on the design and implementation of the Website; and

(B) maintain a public feedback tool to ensure each feature of, and the information on, the Website is usable and understandable.

(8) Deadline.—The Postal Service shall implement and make available to the public (and make any subsequent changes in accordance with subsection (b)) the Website not later than 60 days from the date on which the Postal Service receives the requirements and recommendations from the Postal Regulatory Commission under subsection (b), and shall continuously update such information on the Website as required by subsection (b).

(9) Availability.—A link and plain language description of the Website shall be made available on any webpage where performance targets and measurements established under subsection (a)(1) are made available to the public.

(10) Reporting.—The Postal Service, the Postmaster General, or the Board, as applicable, shall reference the dashboard described in paragraph (5)(A)(i) in the Annual Performance Plan under section 2803, the Annual Performance Report under section 2804, and the Annual Report under section 2402.

(11) Definitions.—In this subsection—

(A) Performance information.—The term "performance information" means the objective external performance measurements established under section 3691(b)(1)(D).

(B) Website.—The term "Website" means the website described in paragraph (1).

(Added Pub. L. 117–108, title II, §201(a), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1144.)
39 U.S.C. § 3011 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3011: Judicial enforcement
Judicial enforcement
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the Postal Service believes that any person is mailing or causing to be mailed any sexually oriented advertisement in violation of section 3010 of this title, it may request the Attorney General to commence a civil action against such person in a district court of the United States. Upon a finding by the court of a violation of that section, the court may issue an order including one or more of the following provisions as the court deems just under the circumstances:

(1) a direction to the defendant to refrain from mailing any sexually oriented advertisement to a specific addressee, to any group of addressees, or to all persons;

(2) a direction to any postmaster to whom sexually oriented advertisements originating with such defendant are tendered for transmission through the mails to refuse to accept such advertisements for mailing; or

(3) a direction to any postmaster at the office at which registered or certified letters or other letters or mail arrive, addressed to the defendant or his representative, to return the registered or certified letters or other letters or mail to the sender appropriately marked as being in response to mail in violation of section 3010 of this title, after the defendant, or his representative, has been notified and given reasonable opportunity to examine such letters or mail and to obtain delivery of mail which is clearly not connected with activity alleged to be in violation of section 3010 of this title.

(b) The statement that remittances may be made to a person named in a sexually oriented advertisement is prima facie evidence that such named person is the principal, agent, or representative of the mailer for the receipt of remittances on his behalf. The court is not precluded from ascertaining the existence of the agency on the basis of any other evidence.

(c) In preparation for, or during the pendency of, a civil action under subsection (a) of this section, a district court of the United States, upon application therefor by the Attorney General and upon a showing of probable cause to believe the statute is being violated, may enter a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction containing such terms as the court deems just, including, but not limited to, provisions enjoining the defendant from mailing any sexually oriented advertisement to any person or class of persons, directing any postmaster to refuse to accept such defendant's sexually oriented advertisements for mailing, and directing the detention of the defendant's incoming mail by any postmaster pending the conclusion of the judicial proceedings. Any action taken by a court under this subsection does not affect or determine any fact at issue in any other proceeding under this section.

(d) A civil action under this section may be brought in the judicial district in which the defendant resides, or has his principal place of business, or in any judicial district in which any sexually oriented advertisement mailed in violation of section 3010 has been delivered by mail according to the direction thereon.

(e) Nothing in this section or in section 3010 shall be construed as amending, preempting, limiting, modifying, or otherwise in any way affecting section 1461 or 1463 of title 18 or section 3007 or 3008 of this title.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 750; Pub. L. 106–168, title I, §105(b)(2)(B), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1811.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1999—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106–168 substituted "3007" for "3006, 3007,".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–168 effective 120 days after Dec. 12, 1999, see section 111 of Pub. L. 106–168, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective first day of sixth month which begins after Aug. 12, 1970, see section 15(b) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 5005 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 50 / Section 5005: Mail transportation
Mail transportation
Status: in_force

(a) The Postal Service may obtain mail transportation service—

(1) from air carriers as provided in chapter 54 of this title;

(2) from water carriers as provided in chapter 56 of this title; and

(3) by contract from any person or carrier for surface and water transportation under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, subject to the provisions of this section.

(b)(1) Contracts for the transportation of mail procured under subsection (a)(3) of this section shall be for periods not in excess of 4 years (or such longer period of time as may be determined by the Postal Service to be advisable or appropriate) and shall be entered into only after advertising a sufficient time previously for proposals. The Postal Service, with the consent of the holder of any such contract, may adjust the compensation allowed under that contract for increased or decreased costs resulting from changed conditions occurring during the term of the contract.

(2) A contract under subsection (a)(3) of this section may be renewed at the existing rate by mutual agreement between the contractor or subcontractor and the Postal Service.

(3) Any contract between the Postal Service and any carrier or person for the transportation of mail shall be available for inspection in the office of the Postal Service and either the Surface Transportation Board or the Secretary of Transportation if for the carriage of mail in foreign air transportation (as defined in section 40102(a) of title 49), as appropriate, and in post offices on the post roads involved as determined by the Postal Service, at least 15 days prior to the effective date of the contract.

(c) The Postal Service, in determining whether to obtain transportation of mail by contract under subsection (a)(3) of this section or by Government motor vehicle, shall use the mode of transportation which best serves the public interest, due consideration being given to the cost of the transportation service under each mode.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 767; Pub. L. 92–286, May 1, 1972, 86 Stat. 133; Pub. L. 98–443, §9(g)(2), Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1707; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(k)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1375; Pub. L. 104–88, title III, §307(1), (2), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 945, 946; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1002(a)(2), (b)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3254, 3255.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435, §1002(a)(2)(A), struck out par. (1), which related to common carriers by rail and motor vehicle or persons as provided in chapter 52, redesignated pars. (2) to (4) as (1) to (3), respectively, and, in par. (3), struck out "(as defined in section 5201(6) of this title)" after "any person".

Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 109–435, §1002(a)(2)(B), (b)(1), substituted "(a)(3)" for "(a)(4)" in pars. (1) and (2) and "(or such longer period of time as may be determined by the Postal Service to be advisable or appropriate)" for "(or where the Postal Service determines that special conditions or the use of special equipment warrants, not in excess of 6 years)" in par. (1).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–435, §1002(a)(2)(C), substituted "by contract under subsection (a)(3) of this section or" for "by carrier or person under subsection (a)(1) of this section, by contract under subsection (a)(4) of this section, or".

1995—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104–88, §307(1), substituted "5201(6)" for "5201(7)".

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 104–88, §307(2), substituted "Surface Transportation Board" for "Interstate Commerce Commission".

1994—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "section 40102(a) of title 49" for "section 101 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958".

1984—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 98–443 substituted "Secretary of Transportation if for the carriage of mail in foreign air transportation (as defined in section 101 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958)" for "Civil Aeronautics Board".

1972—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 92–286 substituted "contractor or subcontractor" for "holder".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1301 of Title 49, Transportation.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–443 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 9(v) of Pub. L. 98–443, set out as a note under section 5314 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 2004 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 20 / Section 2004: Repealed. Pub. L. 105-33, title VII, §7003(a)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 663
Repealed. Pub. L. 105-33, title VII, §7003(a)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 663
Status: repealed

[§2004. Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title VII, §7003(a)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 663]

Section, Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 739, authorized appropriations to ensure a sound financial transition for the Postal Service.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1997, with special provisions relating to payments for fiscal year 1998, see section 7003(c) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as an Effective Date of 1997 Amendment note under section 2003 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 601 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 6 / Section 601: Letters carried out of the mail
Letters carried out of the mail
Status: in_force

(a) A letter may be carried out of the mails when—

(1) it is enclosed in an envelope;

(2) the amount of postage which would have been charged on the letter if it had been sent by mail is paid by stamps, or postage meter stamps, on the envelope;

(3) the envelope is properly addressed;

(4) the envelope is so sealed that the letter cannot be taken from it without defacing the envelope;

(5) any stamps on the envelope are canceled in ink by the sender; and

(6) the date of the letter, of its transmission or receipt by the carrier is endorsed on the envelope in ink.

(b) A letter may also be carried out of the mails when—

(1) the amount paid for the private carriage of the letter is at least the amount equal to 6 times the rate then currently charged for the 1st ounce of a single-piece first class letter;

(2) the letter weighs at least 12½ ounces; or

(3) such carriage is within the scope of services described by regulations of the United States Postal Service (including, in particular, sections 310.1 and 320.2–320.8 of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on July 1, 2005) that purport to permit private carriage by suspension of the operation of this section (as then in effect).

(c) Any regulations necessary to carry out this section shall be promulgated by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 727; Pub. L. 109–435, title V, §503(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3234.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 109–435 added subsecs. (b) and (c) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: "The Postal Service may suspend the operation of any part of this section upon any mail route where the public interest requires the suspension."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–435, title V, §503(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3235, provided that: "This section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date as of which the regulations promulgated under section 3633 of title 39, United States Code (as amended by section 202) take effect [Dec. 10, 2007, 72 F.R. 63662, 64155]."

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Study of Private Carriage of Mail: Reports to President and Congress

Pub. L. 91–375, §7, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 783, required the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service to make a study of the restrictions on the private carriage of letters and packets and to submit a report and recommendations for modernization to the President and to the Congress within 2 years after the effective date of this section.

Provisions of section 7 of Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by the Board of Governors and published by it in the Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3014 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3014: Nonmailable plants
Nonmailable plants
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Whenever the Secretary of Agriculture establishes a quarantine under section 8 of the Plant Quarantine Act, prohibiting the transportation by common carrier of any plant from any State or other geographic area, the Secretary shall give notice of the establishment of such quarantine to the Postal Service in writing.

(2) Upon receiving any such notice under paragraph (1), the Postal Service shall ensure that copies of such notice are prominently displayed at post offices located within each State or area covered by the quarantine, and shall take any other measures which the Postal Service considers necessary in order to inform the public both of the establishment of such quarantine and of relevant provisions of this section and sections 1716B and 1716C of title 18 in connection therewith.

(b) Any plant, the transportation of which by common carrier from any State or other area is prohibited or restricted under any quarantine referred to in subsection (a), is nonmailable matter, and may not be accepted by the Postal Service or conveyed in the mails, if the matter involved is tendered for transmission through the mails from such State or area or if such matter first enters the mails within such State or area.

(c) The Postal Service shall, after consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, prescribe rules and regulations permitting the mailing of a plant, and otherwise making subsection (b) of this section inapplicable with respect to such plant, if the method or manner of mailing such plant would be consistent with the procedures set forth in the rules and regulations prescribed under the fourth sentence of section 8 of the Plant Quarantine Act (relating to the inspection, disinfection, and certification of, and other conditions for, the delivery and shipment of plants otherwise subject to quarantine).

(d) For the purposes of this section—

(1) "Plant Quarantine Act" means the Act entitled "An Act to regulate the importation of nursery stock and other plants and plant products; to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain quarantine districts for plant diseases and insect pests; to permit and regulate the movement of fruits, plants, and vegetables therefrom, and for other purposes", enacted August 20, 1912 1 (37 Stat. 315 et seq.); and

(2) "plant" means any class of plants, fruits, vegetables, roots, bulbs, seeds, or other plant products, any class of nursery stock (as defined by section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act),1 and any other article or matter which is capable of carrying any dangerous plant disease or pest.

(Added Pub. L. 100–574, §1(a)(1), Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2892.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Act of Aug. 20, 1912, referred to in subsec. (d), is act Aug. 20, 1912, ch. 308, 37 Stat. 315, commonly known as the Plant Quarantine Act, which was classified generally to chapter 8 (§151 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §438(a)(1), June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 454. Sections 6 and 8 of the Plant Quarantine Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (c), and (d)(2), were classified to sections 152 and 161, respectively, of Title 7. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 100–574, §4, Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2894, provided that:

"(a) In General.—This Act and the amendments made by this Act [enacting this section and sections 1716B and 1716C of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure] shall become effective on the earlier of—

"(1) the 366th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1988]; or

"(2) the first date as of which all rules and regulations required to be prescribed under the amendments made by this Act have first been published in the Federal Register. [For publication of regulations, see 54 F.R. 49978, Dec. 4, 1989.]

"(b) Regulations.—Nothing in this section shall prevent the United States Postal Service from taking any action which may be necessary to prepare and issue, as soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, any rules and regulations which the Postal Service is required to prescribe under any of the amendments made by this Act."

1 See References in Text note below.
39 U.S.C. § 2804 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 28 / Section 2804: Program performance reports
Program performance reports
Status: in_force

(a) The Postal Service shall prepare a report on program performance for each fiscal year, which shall be included in the annual comprehensive statement presented under section 2401(e) of this title.

(b)(1) The program performance report shall set forth the performance indicators established in the Postal Service performance plan, along with the actual program performance achieved compared with the performance goals expressed in the plan for that fiscal year.

(2) If performance goals are specified by descriptive statements of a minimally effective program activity and a successful program activity, the results of such program shall be described in relationship to those categories, including whether the performance failed to meet the criteria of either category.

(c) The report for fiscal year 2000 shall include actual results for the preceding fiscal year, the report for fiscal year 2001 shall include actual results for the two preceding fiscal years, and the report for fiscal year 2002 and all subsequent reports shall include actual results for the three preceding fiscal years.

(d) Each report shall—

(1) review the success of achieving the performance goals of the fiscal year;

(2) evaluate the performance plan for the current fiscal year relative to the performance achieved towards the performance goals in the fiscal year covered by the report;

(3) explain and describe, where a performance goal has not been met (including when a program activity's performance is determined not to have met the criteria of a successful program activity under section 2803(b)(2))—

(A) why the goal was not met;

(B) those plans and schedules for achieving the established performance goal; and

(C) if the performance goal is impractical or infeasible, why that is the case and what action is recommended; and

(4) include the summary findings of those program evaluations completed during the fiscal year covered by the report.

(Added Pub. L. 103–62, §7, Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 294; amended Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(d)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3261.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435 substituted "section 2401(e)" for "section 2401(g)".
39 U.S.C. § 414 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 4 / Section 414: Special postage stamps
Special postage stamps
Status: in_force

(a) In order to afford the public a convenient way to contribute to funding for breast cancer research, the Postal Service shall establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail under this section.

(b) The rate of postage established under this section—

(1) shall be equal to the regular first-class rate of postage, plus a differential of not less than 15 percent;

(2) shall be set by the Governors in accordance with such procedures as the Governors shall by regulation prescribe (in lieu of the procedures under chapter 36); and

(3) shall be offered as an alternative to the regular first-class rate of postage.

The use of the special rate of postage established under this section shall be voluntary on the part of postal patrons. The special rate of postage of an individual stamp under this section shall be an amount that is evenly divisible by 5.

(c)(1) Of the amounts becoming available for breast cancer research pursuant to this section, the Postal Service shall pay—

(A) 70 percent to the National Institutes of Health; and

(B) the remainder to the Department of Defense.

Payments under this paragraph to an agency shall be made under such arrangements as the Postal Service shall by mutual agreement with such agency establish in order to carry out the purposes of this section, except that, under those arrangements, payments to such agency shall be made at least twice a year. An agency that receives amounts from the Postal Service under this paragraph shall use the amounts for breast cancer research.

(2) For purposes of this section, the term "amounts becoming available for breast cancer research pursuant to this section" means—

(A) the total amounts received by the Postal Service that it would not have received but for the enactment of this section, reduced by

(B) an amount sufficient to cover reasonable costs incurred by the Postal Service in carrying out this section, including those attributable to the printing, sale, and distribution of stamps under this section,

as determined by the Postal Service under regulations that it shall prescribe.

(d) It is the sense of the Congress that nothing in this section should—

(1) directly or indirectly cause a net decrease in total funds received by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, or any other agency of the Government (or any component or program thereof) below the level that would otherwise have been received but for the enactment of this section; or

(2) affect regular first-class rates of postage or any other regular rates of postage.

(e) Special postage stamps under this section shall be made available to the public beginning on such date as the Postal Service shall by regulation prescribe, but in no event later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this section.

(f) The Postmaster General shall include in each report rendered under section 2402 with respect to any period during any portion of which this section is in effect information concerning the operation of this section, except that, at a minimum, each shall include—

(1) the total amount described in subsection (c)(2)(A) which was received by the Postal Service during the period covered by such report; and

(2) of the amount under paragraph (1), how much (in the aggregate and by category) was required for the purposes described in subsection (c)(2)(B).

(g) For purposes of section 416 (including any regulation prescribed under subsection (e)(1)(C) of that section), the special postage stamp issued under this section shall not apply to any limitation relating to whether more than 1 semipostal may be offered for sale at the same time.

(h) This section shall cease to be effective after December 31, 2027.

(Added Pub. L. 105–41, §2(a), Aug. 13, 1997, 111 Stat. 1119; amended Pub. L. 106–253, §3(a), July 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 636; Pub. L. 107–67, title VI, §650(b)(1), (c), Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 556, 557; Pub. L. 108–199, div. F, title V, §541, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 346; Pub. L. 109–100, §1, Nov. 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 2170; Pub. L. 110–150, §1, Dec. 21, 2007, 121 Stat. 1820; Pub. L. 112–80, §1, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1297; Pub. L. 114–99, §§2, 3, Dec. 11, 2015, 129 Stat. 2201; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, §1737, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1820.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (e), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105–41, which was approved Aug. 13, 1997.

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "2027" for "2019".

2015—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 114–99, §3, inserted at end of concluding provisions "An agency that receives amounts from the Postal Service under this paragraph shall use the amounts for breast cancer research."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 114–99, §2, substituted "2019" for "2015".

2011—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 112–80 substituted "2015" for "2011".

2007—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–150 substituted "2011" for "2007".

2005—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–100 substituted "2007" for "2005".

2004—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–199 substituted "2005" for "2003".

2001—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–67, §650(c), substituted "of not less than 15 percent" for "of not to exceed 25 percent" in par. (1) and inserted at end of concluding provisions "The special rate of postage of an individual stamp under this section shall be an amount that is evenly divisible by 5."

Subsec. (g), (h). Pub. L. 107–67, §650(b)(1), added subsecs. (g) and (h) and struck out former subsec. (g) which read as follows: "This section shall cease to be effective after July 29, 2002, or the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Semipostal Authorization Act, whichever is later."

2000—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–253 amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: "This section shall cease to be effective at the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date on which special postage stamps under this section are first made available to the public."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–67, title VI, §650(b)(2), Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 557, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the earlier of—

"(A) the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 12, 2001]; or

"(B) July 29, 2002."

Reporting Requirements

Pub. L. 110–150, §2, Dec. 21, 2007, 121 Stat. 1820, provided that: "The National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense shall each submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office an annual report concerning the use of any amounts that it received under section 414(c) of title 39, United States Code, including a description of any significant advances or accomplishments, during the year covered by the report, that were funded, in whole or in part, with such amounts."

Report by Comptroller General of United States

Pub. L. 106–253, §3(b), July 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 637, provided that: "No later than 3 months and no earlier than 6 months before the date as of which section 414 of title 39, United States Code (as amended by this section) is scheduled to expire, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Congress a report on the operation of such section. Such report shall be in addition to the report required by section 2(b) of Public Law 105–41 [set out below], and shall address at least the same matters as were required to be included in that earlier report."

Pub. L. 105–41, §2(b), Aug. 13, 1997, 111 Stat. 1120, provided that: "No later than 3 months (but no earlier than 6 months) before the end of the 2-year period referred to in section 414(g) of title 39, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Congress a report on the operation of such section. Such report shall include—

"(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness and the appropriateness of the authority provided by such section as a means of fund-raising; and

"(2) a description of the monetary and other resources required of the Postal Service in carrying out such section."
39 U.S.C. § 2603 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 26 / Section 2603: Settlement of claims for damages caused by the Postal Service
Settlement of claims for damages caused by the Postal Service
Status: in_force

When the Postal Service finds a claim for damage to persons or property resulting from the operation of the Postal Service to be a proper charge against the United States, and it is not cognizable under section 2672 of title 28, it may adjust and settle the claim.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 745.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Charge Against Postal Revenues for Settlement of Claims for Damages and for Losses Resulting From Unavoidable Casualty

Pub. L. 89–57, title II, §201, June 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 200, provided in part: "That hereafter settlement of claims, pursuant to law, current and prior fiscal years, for damages, and for losses resulting from unavoidable casualty shall be paid from postal revenues."
39 U.S.C. § 202 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 2 / Section 202: Board of Governors
Board of Governors
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The exercise of the power of the Postal Service shall be directed by a Board of Governors composed of 11 members appointed in accordance with this section. Nine of the members, to be known as Governors, shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than 5 of whom may be adherents of the same political party. The Governors shall elect a Chairman from among the members of the Board. The Governors shall represent the public interest generally, and shall be chosen solely on the basis of their experience in the field of public service, law or accounting or on their demonstrated ability in managing organizations or corporations (in either the public or private sector) of substantial size; except that at least 4 of the Governors shall be chosen solely on the basis of their demonstrated ability in managing organizations or corporations (in either the public or private sector) that employ at least 50,000 employees. The Governors shall not be representatives of specific interests using the Postal Service, and may be removed only for cause. Each Governor shall receive a salary of $30,000 a year plus $300 a day for not more than 42 days of meetings each year and shall be reimbursed for travel and reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the number of days of meetings each year to 42 days.

(2) In selecting the individuals described in paragraph (1) for nomination for appointment to the position of Governor, the President should consult with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, and the minority leader of the Senate.

(b)(1) The terms of the 9 Governors shall be 7 years, except that the terms of the 9 Governors first taking office shall expire as designated by the President at the time of appointment, 1 at the end of 1 year, 1 at the end of 2 years, 1 at the end of 3 years, 1 at the end of 4 years, 1 at the end of 5 years, 1 at the end of 6 years, 1 at the end of 7 years, 1 at the end of 8 years, and 1 at the end of 9 years, following the appointment of the first of them. Any Governor appointed to fill a vacancy before the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall serve for the remainder of such term. A Governor may continue to serve after the expiration of his term until his successor has qualified, but not to exceed one year.

(2) No person may serve more than 2 terms as a Governor.

(c) The Governors shall appoint and shall have the power to remove the Postmaster General, who shall be a voting member of the Board. His pay and term of service shall be fixed by the Governors.

(d) The Governors and the Postmaster General shall appoint and shall have the power to remove the Deputy Postmaster General, who shall be a voting member of the Board. His term of service shall be fixed by the Governors and the Postmaster General and his pay by the Governors.

(e)(1) The Governors and the members of the Postal Regulatory Commission shall appoint, by a favorable vote of a majority of the Governors in office and of a majority of the members of the Commission in office, and shall have the power to remove the Inspector General.

(2) The Inspector General shall be appointed—

(A) for a term of 7 years;

(B) without regard to political affiliation; and

(C) solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.

(3) The Inspector General may at any time be removed upon the written concurrence of at least 7 Governors and 3 members of the Postal Regulatory Commission, but only for cause. Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to exempt the Governors from the requirements of section 415(e) of title 5.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 720; Pub. L. 98–81, §2, Aug. 23, 1983, 97 Stat. 487; Pub. L. 99–190, §144, Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1324; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §§644(a), 662(a)(1)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–366, 3009–378; Pub. L. 109–435, title V, §501(a)(1), (b), (c)(1), (d)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3232, 3233; Pub. L. 117–108, title II, §209(b), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1152; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(62), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4350.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 117–108, §209(b)(1), substituted "The Governors and the members of the Postal Regulatory Commission shall appoint, by a favorable vote of a majority of the Governors in office and of a majority of the members of the Commission in office," for "The Governors shall appoint".

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "section 415(e) of title 5." for "section 8G(e) of the Inspector General Act of 1978."

Pub. L. 117–108, §209(b)(2), inserted "and 3 members of the Postal Regulatory Commission" after "at least 7 Governors".

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435, §501(a)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and substituted "The Governors shall represent the public interest generally, and shall be chosen solely on the basis of their experience in the field of public service, law or accounting or on their demonstrated ability in managing organizations or corporations (in either the public or private sector) of substantial size; except that at least 4 of the Governors shall be chosen solely on the basis of their demonstrated ability in managing organizations or corporations (in either the public or private sector) that employ at least 50,000 employees. The Governors shall not be representatives of specific interests using the Postal Service, and may be removed only for cause." for "The Governors shall be chosen to represent the public interest generally, and shall not be representatives of specific interests using the Postal Service, and may be removed only for cause."

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–435, §501(b), added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–435, §501(d)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 109–435, §501(c)(1), which directed amendment of first sentence by substituting "7 years" for "9 years", was executed by making substitution for "9 years" the first place appearing in first sentence, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208, §101(f) [title VI, §644(a)], substituted "$30,000 a year" for "$10,000 a year".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–208, §101(f) [title VI, §662(a)(1)], added subsec. (e).

1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–190 substituted "42" for "30" in two places.

1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–81 inserted provision that a Governor may continue to serve after the expiration of his term until his successor has qualified, but not to exceed one year.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2022 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–108, title II, §209(e), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1152, provided that: "This section [amending this section, section 504 of this title, and former section 8G of Pub. L. 95–452 (see section 415 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees), and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 415 of Title 5] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 6, 2022]."

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–435, title V, §501(a)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3232, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall not affect the appointment or tenure of any person serving as a Governor of the United States Postal Service under an appointment made before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006][;] however, when any such office becomes vacant, the appointment of any person to fill that office shall be made in accordance with such amendment. The requirement set forth in the fourth sentence of section 202(a)(1) of title 39, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)) shall be met beginning not later than 9 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006]."

Pub. L. 109–435, title V, §501(c)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3233, provided that:

"(A) Continuation by incumbents.—The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall not affect the tenure of any person serving as a Governor of the United States Postal Service on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006] and such person may continue to serve the remainder of the applicable term.

"(B) Vacancy by incumbent before 7 years of service.—If a person who is serving as a Governor of the United States Postal Service on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006] resigns, is removed, or dies before the expiration of the 9-year term of that Governor, and that Governor has served less than 7 years of that term, the resulting vacancy in office shall be treated as a vacancy in a 7-year term.

"(C) Vacancy by incumbent after 7 years of service.—If a person who is serving as a Governor of the United States Postal Service on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006] resigns, is removed, or dies before the expiration of the 9-year term of that Governor, and that Governor has served 7 years or more of that term, that term shall be deemed to have been a 7-year term beginning on its commencement date for purposes of determining vacancies in office. Any appointment to the vacant office shall be for a 7-year term beginning at the end of the original 9-year term determined without regard to the deeming under the preceding sentence. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to affect any action or authority of any Governor or the Board of Governors during any portion of a 9-year term deemed to be a 7-year term under this subparagraph."

Pub. L. 109–435, title V, §501(d)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3233, provided that: "The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall not affect the tenure of any person serving as a Governor of the United States Postal Service on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006] with respect to the term which that person is serving on that date. Such person may continue to serve the remainder of the applicable term, after which the amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply."

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §644(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–366, provided that: "Subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect at the beginning of the next applicable pay period beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 1996]."

Effective Date

Section effective Aug. 12, 1970, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Savings Provision

Payment to Governors of Board of Governors of Postal Service of $300 a day for not more than 60 days of meetings in each of first 2 years following effective date of this section [see Effective Date note set out above], notwithstanding this section, see section 5(g) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 401 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 4 / Section 401: General powers of the Postal Service
General powers of the Postal Service
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of section 404a, the Postal Service shall have the following general powers:

(1) to sue and be sued in its official name;

(2) to adopt, amend, and repeal such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this title, as may be necessary in the execution of its functions under this title and such other functions as may be assigned to the Postal Service under any provisions of law outside of this title;

(3) to enter into and perform contracts, execute instruments, and determine the character of, and necessity for, its expenditures;

(4) to determine and keep its own system of accounts and the forms and contents of its contracts and other business documents, except as otherwise provided in this title;

(5) to acquire, in any lawful manner, such personal or real property, or any interest therein, as it deems necessary or convenient in the transaction of its business; to hold, maintain, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of such property or any interest therein; and to provide services in connection therewith and charges therefor;

(6) to construct, operate, lease, and maintain buildings, facilities, equipment, and other improvements on any property owned or controlled by it, including, without limitation, any property or interest therein transferred to it under section 2002 of this title;

(7) to accept gifts or donations of services or property, real or personal, as it deems, necessary or convenient in the transaction of its business;

(8) to settle and compromise claims by or against it;

(9) to exercise, in the name of the United States, the right of eminent domain for the furtherance of its official purposes; and to have the priority of the United States with respect to the payment of debts out of bankrupt, insolvent, and decedents' estates; and

(10) to have all other powers incidental, necessary, or appropriate to the carrying on of its functions or the exercise of its specific powers.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 722; Pub. L. 109–435, title IV, §403(b)(1), title V, §504, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3227, 3235.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–435, §403(b)(1), substituted "Subject to the provisions of section 404a, the" for "The" in introductory provisions.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 109–435, §504, amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "to adopt, amend, and repeal such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to accomplish the objectives of this title;".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pars. (1) and (3) to (10) effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors and par. (2) effective Aug. 12, 1970. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Executive Documents

Emergency Preparedness Functions

For assignment of certain emergency preparedness functions to the Postmaster General, see Parts 1, 2, and 26 of Ex. Ord. No. 12656, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47491, set out as a note under section 5195 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Executive Order No. 13975

Ex. Ord. No. 13975, Jan. 14, 2021, 86 F.R. 6547, which encouraged Buy American policies for the United States Postal Service, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 14005, §14(a), Jan. 25, 2021, 86 F.R. 7478, set out as a note under section 8301 of Title 41, Public Contracts.
39 U.S.C. § 1003 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 10 / Section 1003: Employment policy
Employment policy
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided under chapters 2 and 12 of this title, section 415 of title 5, or other provision of law, the Postal Service shall classify and fix the compensation and benefits of all officers and employees in the Postal Service. It shall be the policy of the Postal Service to maintain compensation and benefits for all officers and employees on a standard of comparability to the compensation and benefits paid for comparable levels of work in the private sector of the economy. No officer or employee shall be paid compensation at a rate in excess of the rate for level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5.

(b) Compensation and benefits for all officers and employees serving in or under the Office of Inspector General of the United States Postal Service shall be maintained on a standard of comparability to the compensation and benefits paid for comparable levels of work in the respective Offices of Inspector General of the various establishments named in section 401(1) of title 5.

(c) Compensation and benefits for all Postal Inspectors shall be maintained on a standard of comparability to the compensation and benefits paid for comparable levels of work in the executive branch of the Government outside of the Postal Service. As used in this subsection, the term "Postal Inspector" included 1 any agent to whom any investigative powers are granted under section 3061 of title 18.

(d) The Postal Service shall follow an employment policy designed, without compromising the policy of section 101(a) of this title, to extend opportunity to the disadvantaged and the handicapped.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 730; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §662(c)(2)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–380; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(65), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4350.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(65)(A), substituted "section 415 of title 5," for "section 8G of the Inspector General Act of 1978,".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(65)(B), substituted "section 401(1) of title 5." for "section 11(2) of the Inspector General Act of 1978."

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208, §101(f) [title VI, §662(c)(2)(B)], substituted "chapters 2 and 12 of this title, section 8G of the Inspector General Act of 1978," for "chapters 2 and 12 of this title".

Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 104–208, §101(f) [title VI, §662(c)(2)(A)], added subsecs. (b) and (c) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–8 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Compensation of Employees

Pub. L. 91–375, §9, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 784, provided that:

"(a) [Increase in Basic Pay Rate; Effective Date] The Postmaster General, under regulations made by him, shall increase the rates of basic pay or compensation of employees in the Post Office Department so that such rates will equal, as nearly as practicable, 108 percent of the rates of basic pay or compensation in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 12, 1970]. Such increases shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period which begins on or after April 16, 1970.

"(b) [Retroactive Pay] Retroactive pay, compensation, or salary shall be paid by reason of this Act [see Short Title note set out under section 101 of this title] only in the case of an individual in the service of the United States (including service in the Armed Forces of the United States) on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 12, 1970], except that such retroactive pay, compensation, or salary shall be paid—

"(1) to an officer or employee who retired, during the period beginning on the first day of the first pay period which began on or after April 16, 1970, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 12, 1970], for services rendered during such period; and

"(2) in accordance with subchapter VIII of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code [section 5581 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees], relating to settlement of accounts, for services rendered, during the period beginning on the first day of the first pay period which began on or after April 16, 1970, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 12, 1970], by an officer or employee who died during such period.

Such retroactive pay, compensation, or salary shall not be considered as basic pay for the purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code [section 8331 et seq. of Title 5], relating to civil service retirement, or any other retirement law or retirement system, in the case of any such retired or deceased officer or employee.

"(c) [Period for Restoration to Government Position, as Service] For the purposes of this section, service in the Armed Forces of the United States, in the case of an individual relieved from training and service in the Armed Forces of the United States or discharged from hospitalization following such training and service, shall include the period provided by law for the mandatory restoration of such individual to a position in or under the Government of the United States.

"(d) [Group Life Insurance; Amount; Effective Date] For purposes of determining the amount of insurance for which an individual is eligible under chapter 87 of title 5, United States Code [section 8701 et seq. of Title 5], relating to group life insurance for Government employees, all changes in rates of pay, compensation, and salary which result from the enactment of this section shall be held and considered to become effective as of the date of such enactment [Aug. 12, 1970].

"(e) [Limitation of Basic Pay Rate] No rate of basic pay or compensation, in excess of the rate of basic pay for GS–18 of the General Schedule in section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, shall be paid by reason of the enactment of this section."

[Provisions of section 9 of Pub. L. 91–375 effective Aug. 12, 1970, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of this title.]

1 So in original. Probably should be "includes".
39 U.S.C. § 1005 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 10 / Section 1005: Applicability of laws relating to Federal employees
Applicability of laws relating to Federal employees
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the provisions of chapter 75 of title 5 shall apply to officers and employees of the Postal Service except to the extent of any inconsistency with—

(A) the provisions of any collective-bargaining agreement negotiated on behalf of and applicable to them; or

(B) procedures established by the Postal Service and approved by the Civil Service Commission.

(2) The provisions of title 5 relating to a preference eligible (as that term is defined under section 2108(3) of such title) shall apply to an applicant for appointment and any officer or employee of the Postal Service in the same manner and under the same conditions as if the applicant, officer, or employee were subject to the competitive service under such title. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be modified by any program developed under section 1004 of this title or any collective-bargaining agreement entered into under chapter 12 of this title.

(3) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to those individuals appointed under sections 202, 204, and 1001(c) of this title.

(4)(A) Subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 5 shall apply—

(i) to any preference eligible in the Postal Service who is an employee within the meaning of section 7511(a)(1)(B) of such title; and

(ii) to any other individual who—

(I) is in the position of a supervisor or a management employee in the Postal Service, or is an employee of the Postal Service engaged in personnel work in other than a purely nonconfidential clerical capacity; and

(II) has completed 1 year of current continuous service in the same or similar positions.

(B)(i) The second sentence of paragraph (2) of this subsection applies with respect to the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, to the extent that such provisions relate to preference eligibles.

(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not, to the extent that such provisions relate to an individual under clause (ii) of such subparagraph, be modified by any program developed under section 1004 of this title.

(b)(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), section 5941 of title 5 shall apply to the Postal Service. Except as provided under paragraph (2), for purposes of section 5941 of that title, the pay of officers and employees of the Postal Service shall be considered to be fixed by statute, and the basic pay of an employee shall be the pay (but not any allowance or benefit) of that officer or employee established in accordance with the provisions of this title.

(2) On and after the date of enactment of the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009—

(A) the provisions of that Act and section 5941 of title 5 shall apply to officers and employees covered by section 1003(b) and (c) whose duty station is in a nonforeign area; and

(B) with respect to officers and employees of the Postal Service (other than those officers and employees described under subparagraph (A)) of 1 section 1916(b)(2) of that Act shall apply.

(c) Officers and employees of the Postal Service shall be covered by subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, relating to compensation for work injuries.

(d)(1) Officers and employees of the Postal Service (other than the Governors) shall be covered by chapters 83 and 84 of title 5. The Postal Service shall withhold from pay and shall pay into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund the amounts specified in or determined under such chapter 83 and subchapter II of such chapter 84, respectively. The Postal Service shall pay into the Federal Retirement Thrift Savings Fund the amounts specified in or determined under subchapters III and VII of such chapter 84.

(2) The provisions of subsections (i) and (m)(2) of section 8344 and subsections (f) and (j)(2) of section 8468 of title 5 shall apply with respect to the Postal Service. For purposes of so applying such provisions—

(A) any reference in such provisions to the head of an Executive agency shall be considered a reference to the Postmaster General; and

(B) any reference in such provisions to an employee shall be considered a reference to an officer or employee of the Postal Service.

(e) Sick and annual leave, and compensatory time of officers and employees of the Postal Service, whether accrued prior to or after commencement of operations of the Postal Service, shall be obligations of the Postal Service under the provisions of this chapter.

(f) Compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this section, whether provided by statute or by rules and regulations of the former Post Office Department or the executive branch of the Government of the United States, shall continue to apply to officers and employees of the Postal Service, until changed by the Postal Service in accordance with this chapter and chapter 12 of this title. Subject to the provisions of this chapter and chapter 12 of this title, the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 85 and chapters 87, 89, 89A, and 89B of title 5 shall apply to officers and employees of the Postal Service, unless varied, added to, or substituted for, under this subsection. No variation, addition, or substitution with respect to fringe benefits shall result in a program of fringe benefits which on the whole is less favorable to the officers and employees than fringe benefits in effect on the effective date of this section, and as to officers and employees for whom there is a collective-bargaining representative, no such variation, addition, or substitution shall be made except by agreement between the collective-bargaining representative and the Postal Service.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 731; Pub. L. 93–349, §2, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 354; Pub. L. 99–335, title III, §306, June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 607; Pub. L. 100–90, §1(a), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 673; Pub. L. 103–336, §3, Oct. 3, 1994, 108 Stat. 2661; Pub. L. 108–496, §5, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 4011; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(g)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3262; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XI, §1122(d), title XIX, §1916(b)(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2509, 2624; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(d)(22), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4374.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is subtitle B (§§1911–1919) of title XIX of div. A of Pub. L. 111–84, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2619, also known as the Non-Foreign AREA Act of 2009, which is set out as a note under section 5304 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The effective date of this section, referred to in subsec. (f), is July 1, 1971. See Effective Date note below.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111–383 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 111–84, §1916(b)(1)(B). See 2009 Amendment note below.

2009—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–84, §1916(b)(1)(A), inserted par. (1) designation before "Section 5941".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111–84, §1916(b)(1)(C), substituted "Except as provided under paragraph (2), for purposes of section 5941 of that title," for "For purposes of such section,".

Pub. L. 111–84, §1916(b)(1)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, substituted "Except as provided under paragraph (2), section 5941" for "Section 5941".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–84, §1916(b)(1)(D), added par. (2).

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–84, §1122(d), in introductory provisions, substituted "(m)(2)" for "(l)(2)" and "(j)(2)" for "(i)(2)".

2006—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 109–435 struck out "subsection (g) of section 5532," after "The provisions of" and substituted "8344" for "8344,".

2004—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–496 substituted "chapters 87, 89, 89A, and 89B" for "chapters 87 and 89" in second sentence.

1994—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–336 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

1987—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–90 added par. (4).

1986—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–335 amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "Officers and employees of the Postal Service (other than the Governors) shall be covered by chapter 83 of title 5 relating to civil service retirement. The Postal Service shall withhold from pay and shall pay into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund the amounts specified in such chapter. The Postal Service shall pay into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund the amounts determined by the Civil Service Commission under section 8348(h) of title 5."

1974—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–349 substituted requirement that the Postal Service pay into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund the amounts determined by the Civil Service Commission under section 8348(h) of title 5, for requirement that the Postal Service pay to the Civil Service Commission upon request of the Civil Service Commission but not less frequently than annually the costs reasonably related to the administration of Fund activities for officers and employees of the Postal Service.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(d), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4372, provided that the amendment made by section 1075(d)(22) is effective as of Oct. 28, 2009, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–84 as enacted.

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Amendment by section 1916(b)(1) of Pub. L. 111–84 effective Oct. 28, 2009, with transition and savings provisions, see sections 1914, 1915, and 1919(a) of Pub. L. 111–84, set out in a Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance note under section 5304 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–496 effective Dec. 23, 2004, and applicable to contracts that take effect with respect to the calendar year 2006, see section 7 of Pub. L. 108–496, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8951 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–90, §1(b)(1), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 673, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective after the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 18, 1987]."

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–349, §3, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 354, provided that: "The effective date of this Act [amending this section and section 8348 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] shall be July 1, 1971, except that the Postal Service shall not be required to make (1) the payments due June 30, 1972, June 30, 1973, and June 30, 1974, attributable to pay increases granted by the Postal Service prior to July 1, 1973, until such time as funds are appropriated to the Postal Service for that purpose, and (2) the transfer to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund required by title II of the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriation Act, 1974, Public Law 93–143 [which is not classified to the Code]."

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Abatement of Actions

Pub. L. 100–90, §1(b)(2), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 673, provided that: "An action which is commenced under section 1005(a)(1)(B) of title 39, United States Code, before the effective date of the amendment made by subsection (a) [see Effective Date of 1987 Amendment note above] shall not abate by reason of the enactment of this Act [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note above]. Determinations with respect to any such action shall be made as if this Act had not been enacted."

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Functions vested by statute in United States Civil Service Commission or Chairman thereof transferred to Director of Office of Personnel Management (except as otherwise specified) by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1978, §102, 43 F.R. 36037, 92 Stat. 3783, set out under section 1101 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, effective Jan. 1, 1979, as provided by section 1–102 of Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, set out under section 1101 of Title 5.

1 So in original. The word "of" probably should not appear.
39 U.S.C. § 207 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 2 / Section 207: Seal
Seal
Status: in_force

The seal of the Postal Service shall be filed by the Board in the Office of the Secretary of State, judicially noticed, affixed to all commissions of officers of the Postal Service, and used to authenticate records of the Postal Service.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 722.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 16, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–5 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 1004 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 10 / Section 1004: Supervisory and other managerial organizations
Supervisory and other managerial organizations
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be the policy of the Postal Service to provide compensation, working conditions, and career opportunities that will assure the attraction and retention of qualified and capable supervisory and other managerial personnel; to provide adequate and reasonable differentials in rates of pay between employees in the clerk and carrier grades in the line work force and supervisory and other managerial personnel; to establish and maintain continuously a program for all such personnel that reflects the essential importance of a well-trained and well-motivated force to improve the effectiveness of postal operations; and to promote the leadership status of such personnel with respect to rank-and-file employees, recognizing that the role of such personnel in primary level management is particularly vital to the process of converting general postal policies into successful postal operations.

(b) The Postal Service shall provide a program for consultation with recognized organizations of supervisory and other managerial personnel who are not subject to collective-bargaining agreements under chapter 12 of this title. Upon presentation of evidence satisfactory to the Postal Service that a supervisory organization represents a majority of supervisors, that an organization (other than an organization representing supervisors) represents at least 20 percent of postmasters, or that a managerial organization (other than an organization representing supervisors or postmasters) represents a substantial percentage of managerial employees, such organization or organizations shall be entitled to participate directly in the planning and development of pay policies and schedules, fringe benefit programs, and other programs relating to supervisory and other managerial employees.

(c)(1) The Postal Service and the supervisors' organization shall, unless otherwise mutually agreed to, meet at least once each month to implement the consultation and direct participation procedures of subsection (b) of this section.

(2)(A) At least 7 days before each meeting, each party shall—

(i) provide notice of agenda items, and

(ii) describe in detail the proposals such party will make with respect to each such item.

(B) Grievances of individual employees shall not be matters which may be included as agenda items under this paragraph.

(d)(1) In order to facilitate consultation and direct participation by the supervisors' organization in the planning and development of programs under subsection (b) of this section which affect members of the supervisors' organization, the Postal Service shall—

(A) provide in writing a description of any proposed program and the reasons for it;

(B) give the organization at least 60 days (unless extraordinary circumstances require earlier action) to review and make recommendations with respect to the program; and

(C) give any recommendation from the organization full and fair consideration in deciding whether or how to proceed with the program.

(2) If the Postal Service decides to implement a program described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Postal Service shall before such implementation—

(A) give the supervisors' organization details of its decision to implement the program, together with the information upon which the decision is based;

(B) give the organization an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to the program; and

(C) give such recommendations full and fair consideration, including the providing of reasons to the organization if any of such recommendations are rejected.

(3) If a program described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is implemented, the Postal Service shall—

(A) develop a method for the supervisors' organization to participate in further planning and development of the program, and

(B) give the organization adequate access to information to make that participation productive.

(4) The Postal Service and the supervisors' organization may, by agreement, adopt procedures different from those provided by this subsection.

(e)(1) The Postal Service shall, within 45 days of each date on which an agreement is reached on a collective bargaining agreement between the Postal Service and the bargaining representative recognized under section 1203 of this title which represents the largest number of employees, make a proposal for any changes in pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for members of the supervisors' organization which are to be in effect during the same period as covered by such agreement.

(2) The Postal Service and the supervisors' organization shall strive to resolve any differences concerning the proposal described in paragraph (1) of this subsection under the procedures provided for, or adopted under, subsection (d) of this section.

(3) The Postal Service shall provide its decision concerning changes proposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the supervisors' organization within 90 days following the submission of the proposal.

(f)(1) If, notwithstanding the mutual efforts required by subsection (e) of this section, the supervisors' organization believes that the decision of the Postal Service is not in accordance with the provisions of this title, the organization may, within 10 days following its receipt of such decision, request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to convene a factfinding panel (hereinafter referred to as the "panel") concerning such matter.

(2) Within 15 days after receiving a request under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall provide a list of 7 individuals recognized as experts in supervisory and managerial pay policies. Each party shall designate one individual from the list to serve on the panel. If, within 10 days after the list is provided, either of the parties has not designated an individual from the list, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall make the designation. The first two individuals designated from the list shall meet within 5 days and shall designate a third individual from the list. The third individual shall chair the panel. If the two individuals designated from the list are unable to designate a third individual within 5 days after their first meeting, the Director shall designate the third individual.

(3)(A) The panel shall recommend standards for pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs affecting the members of the supervisors' organization for the period covered by the collective bargaining agreement specified in subsection (e)(1) of this section. The standards shall be consistent with the policies of this title, including sections 1003(a) and 1004(a) of this title.

(B) The panel shall, consistent with such standards, make appropriate recommendations concerning the differences between the parties on such policies, schedules, and programs.

(4) The panel shall make its recommendation no more than 30 days after its appointment, unless the Postal Service and the supervisors' organization agree to a longer period. The panel shall hear from the Postal Service and the supervisors' organization in such a manner as it shall direct. The cost of the panel shall be borne equally by the Postal Service and the supervisors' organization.

(5) Not more than 15 days after the panel has made its recommendation, the Postal Service shall provide the supervisors' organization its final decision on the matters covered by factfinding under this subsection. The Postal Service shall give full and fair consideration to the panel's recommendation and shall explain in writing any differences between its final decision and the panel's recommendation.

(g) Not earlier than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and from time to time thereafter, the Postal Service or the supervisors' organization may request, by written notice to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to the other party, the creation of a panel to review the effectiveness of the procedures and the other provisions of this section and the provisions of section 1003 of this title. The panel shall be designated in accordance with the procedure established in subsection (f)(2) of this section. The panel shall make recommendations to the Congress for changes in this title as it finds appropriate.

(h)(1) In order to ensure that postmasters and postmasters' organizations are afforded the same rights under this section as are afforded to supervisors and the supervisors' organization, subsections (c) through (g) shall be applied with respect to postmasters and postmasters' organizations—

(A) by substituting "postmasters' organization" for "supervisors' organization" each place it appears; and

(B) if 2 or more postmasters' organizations exist, by treating such organizations as if they constituted a single organization, in accordance with such arrangements as such organizations shall mutually agree to.

(2) If 2 or more postmasters' organizations exist, such organizations shall, in the case of any factfinding panel convened at the request of such organizations (in accordance with paragraph (1)(B)), be jointly and severally liable for the cost of such panel, apart from the portion to be borne by the Postal Service (as determined under subsection (f)(4)).

(i) For purposes of this section—

(1) "supervisors' organization" means the organization recognized by the Postal Service under subsection (b) of this section as representing a majority of supervisors;

(2) "members of the supervisors' organization" means employees of the Postal Service who are recognized under an agreement between the Postal Service and the supervisors' organization as represented by such organization;

(3) "postmaster" means an individual who is the manager in charge of the operations of a post office, with or without the assistance of subordinate managers or supervisors;

(4) "postmasters' organization" means an organization recognized by the Postal Service under subsection (b) as representing at least 20 percent of postmasters; and

(5) "members of the postmasters' organization" shall be considered to mean employees of the Postal Service who are recognized under an agreement—

(A) between the Postal Service and the postmasters' organization as represented by the organization; or

(B) in the circumstance described in subsection (h)(1)(B), between the Postal Service and the postmasters' organizations (acting in concert) as represented by either or any of the postmasters' organizations involved.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 731; Pub. L. 96–326, Aug. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1023; Pub. L. 108–86, §2(a)–(c), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1052.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (g), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 96–326, which was approved Aug. 8, 1980.

Amendments

2003—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–86, §2(a)(2), which directed substitution of "supervisors or postmasters)" for "supervisors)" in second sentence, was executed by making the substitution the second time "supervisors)" appears in the sentence to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 108–86, §2(a)(1), inserted "that an organization (other than an organization representing supervisors) represents at least 20 percent of postmasters," after "majority of supervisors,".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–86, §2(b)(2), added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 108–86, §2(b)(1), (c), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i) and added pars. (3) to (5).

1980—Subsecs. (c) to (h). Pub. L. 96–326 added subsecs. (c) to (h).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–86, §3, Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1053, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [probably should be "this Act", amending this section and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 101 of this title] shall take effect 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 2003]."

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Thrift Advisory Council Not To Be Affected

Pub. L. 108–86, §2(d), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1053, provided that: "For purposes of section 8473(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code—

"(1) each of the 2 or more organizations referred to in section 1004(h)(1)(B) of title 39, United States Code (as amended by subsection (b)) shall be treated as a separate organization; and

"(2) any determination of the number of individuals represented by each of those respective organizations shall be made in a manner consistent with the purposes of this subsection."
39 U.S.C. § 404 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 4 / Section 404: Specific powers
Specific powers
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to the provisions of section 404a, but otherwise without limitation of the generality of its powers, the Postal Service shall have the following specific powers, among others:

(1) to provide for the collection, handling, transportation, delivery, forwarding, returning, and holding of mail, and for the disposition of undeliverable mail;

(2) to prescribe, in accordance with this title, the amount of postage and the manner in which it is to be paid;

(3) to determine the need for post offices, postal and training facilities and equipment, and to provide such offices, facilities, and equipment as it determines are needed;

(4) to provide and sell postage stamps and other stamped paper, cards, and envelopes and to provide such other evidences of payment of postage and fees as may be necessary or desirable;

(5) to provide philatelic services;

(6) to investigate postal offenses and civil matters relating to the Postal Service;

(7) to offer and pay rewards for information and services in connection with violation of the postal laws, and, unless a different disposal is expressly prescribed, to pay one-half of all penalties and forfeitures imposed for violations of law affecting the Postal Service, its revenues, or property, to the person informing for the same, and to pay the other one-half into the Postal Service Fund; and

(8) to authorize the issuance of a substitute check for a lost, stolen, or destroyed check of the Postal Service.

(b) Except as otherwise provided, the Governors are authorized to establish reasonable and equitable classes of mail and reasonable and equitable rates of postage and fees for postal services in accordance with the provisions of chapter 36. Postal rates and fees shall be reasonable and equitable and sufficient to enable the Postal Service, under best practices of honest, efficient, and economical management, to maintain and continue the development of postal services of the kind and quality adapted to the needs of the United States.

(c) The Postal Service shall maintain one or more classes of mail for the transmission of letters sealed against inspection. The rate for each such class shall be uniform throughout the United States, its territories, and possessions. One such class shall provide for the most expeditious handling and transportation afforded mail matter by the Postal Service. No letter of such a class of domestic origin shall be opened except under authority of a search warrant authorized by law, or by an officer or employee of the Postal Service for the sole purpose of determining an address at which the letter can be delivered, or pursuant to the authorization of the addressee.

(d)(1) The Postal Service, prior to making a determination under subsection (a)(3) of this section as to the necessity for the closing or consolidation of any post office, shall provide adequate notice of its intention to close or consolidate such post office at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of such closing or consolidation to persons served by such post office to ensure that such persons will have an opportunity to present their views.

(2) The Postal Service, in making a determination whether or not to close or consolidate a post office—

(A) shall consider—

(i) the effect of such closing or consolidation on the community served by such post office;

(ii) the effect of such closing or consolidation on employees of the Postal Service employed at such office;

(iii) whether such closing or consolidation is consistent with the policy of the Government, as stated in section 101(b) of this title, that the Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining;

(iv) the economic savings to the Postal Service resulting from such closing or consolidation; and

(v) such other factors as the Postal Service determines are necessary; and

(B) may not consider compliance with any provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).

(3) Any determination of the Postal Service to close or consolidate a post office shall be in writing and shall include the findings of the Postal Service with respect to the considerations required to be made under paragraph (2) of this subsection. Such determination and findings shall be made available to persons served by such post office.

(4) The Postal Service shall take no action to close or consolidate a post office until 60 days after its written determination is made available to persons served by such post office.

(5) A determination of the Postal Service to close or consolidate any post office may be appealed by any person served by such office to the Postal Regulatory Commission within 30 days after such determination is made available to such person under paragraph (3). The Commission shall review such determination on the basis of the record before the Postal Service in the making of such determination. The Commission shall make a determination based upon such review no later than 120 days after receiving any appeal under this paragraph. The Commission shall set aside any determination, findings, and conclusions found to be—

(A) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law;

(B) without observance of procedure required by law; or

(C) unsupported by substantial evidence on the record.

The Commission may affirm the determination of the Postal Service or order that the entire matter be returned for further consideration, but the Commission may not modify the determination of the Postal Service. The Commission may suspend the effectiveness of the determination of the Postal Service until the final disposition of the appeal. The provisions of section 556, section 557, and chapter 7 of title 5 shall not apply to any review carried out by the Commission under this paragraph.

(6) For purposes of paragraph (5), any appeal received by the Commission shall—

(A) if sent to the Commission through the mails, be considered to have been received on the date of the Postal Service postmark on the envelope or other cover in which such appeal is mailed; or

(B) if otherwise lawfully delivered to the Commission, be considered to have been received on the date determined based on any appropriate documentation or other indicia (as determined under regulations of the Commission).

(e)(1) In this subsection, the term "nonpostal service" means any service that is not a postal service defined under section 102(5).

(2) Nothing in this section shall be considered to permit or require that the Postal Service provide any nonpostal service, except that the Postal Service may provide nonpostal services which were offered as of January 1, 2006, as provided under this subsection, or any nonpostal products or services authorized by chapter 37.

(3) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall review each nonpostal service offered by the Postal Service on the date of enactment of that Act and determine whether that nonpostal service shall continue, taking into account—

(A) the public need for the service; and

(B) the ability of the private sector to meet the public need for the service.

(4) Any nonpostal service not determined to be continued by the Postal Regulatory Commission under paragraph (3) shall terminate.

(5) If the Postal Regulatory Commission authorizes the Postal Service to continue a nonpostal service under this subsection, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall designate whether the service shall be regulated under this title as a market dominant product, a competitive product, or an experimental product.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 724; Pub. L. 94–421, §9(a), Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1310; Pub. L. 105–241, §3, Sept. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 1572; Pub. L. 109–435, title I, §102(a), title IV, §403(b)(2), title VI, §604(a), title X, §§1006(a), 1010(e), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3200, 3227, 3241, 3258, 3261; Pub. L. 117–108, title I, §103(b)(1), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1144.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B), is Pub. L. 91–596, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1590, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (§651 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 651 of Title 29 and Tables.

The date of enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–435, which was approved Dec. 20, 2006.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 117–108 inserted ", or any nonpostal products or services authorized by chapter 37" after "under this subsection".

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435, §403(b)(2), substituted "Subject to the provisions of section 404a, but otherwise without" for "Without" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(6) to (9). Pub. L. 109–435, §102(a)(1), redesignated pars. (7) to (9) as (6) to (8), respectively, and struck out former par. (6), which read "to provide, establish, change, or abolish special nonpostal or similar services;".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–435, §1010(e), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 109–435, §604(a), substituted "Postal Regulatory Commission" for "Postal Rate Commission".

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 109–435, §1006(a), added par. (6).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–435, §1010(e), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (e).

Pub. L. 109–435, §102(a)(2), added subsec. (c).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 109–435, §1010(e), redesignated subsecs. (b) and (c) as (d) and (e), respectively.

1998—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–241 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "The Postal Service, in making a determination whether or not to close or consolidate a post office, shall consider—

"(A) the effect of such closing or consolidation on the community served by such post office;

"(B) the effect of such closing or consolidation on employees of the Postal Service employed at such office;

"(C) whether such closing or consolidation is consistent with the policy of the Government, as stated in section 101(b) of this title, that the Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining;

"(D) the economic savings to the Postal Service resulting from such closing or consolidation; and

"(E) such other factors as the Postal Service determines are necessary."

1976—Pub. L. 94–421 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1006(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3258, provided that: "This section [amending this section] and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to any determination to close or consolidate a post office which is first made available, in accordance with paragraph (3) of section 404(b) of title 39, United States Code, after the end of the 3-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2006]."

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–421, §9(b), Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1311, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the day after the date on which the Commission on Postal Service transmits its final report under section 7(f)(1) of this Act [set out as a note under section 3661 of this title]."

Effective Date

Pars. (1), (3) to (9) of subsec. (a) of this section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors and par. (2) of subsec. (a) effective Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–10 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Treatment of Existing Nonpostal Services

Pub. L. 117–108, title I, §103(b)(3), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1144, provided that: "All individual nonpostal services, provided directly or through licensing, that are continued pursuant to section 404(e) of title 39, United States Code, shall be considered to be expressly authorized by chapter 37 of such title (as added by subsection (a)(1)) and shall be subject to the requirements of section 3705 [probably means section 3705 of this title], subsections (a) through (d)."

References to Postal Rate Commission

Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, §604(f), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3242, provided that: "Whenever a reference is made in any provision of law (other than this Act [see Tables for classification] or a provision of law amended by this Act), regulation, rule, document, or other record of the United States to the Postal Rate Commission, such reference shall be considered a reference to the Postal Regulatory Commission."
39 U.S.C. § 2605 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 26 / Section 2605: Suits to recover wrongful or fraudulent payments
Suits to recover wrongful or fraudulent payments
Status: in_force

The Postal Service shall request the Attorney General to bring a suit to recover with interest any payment made from moneys of, or credit granted by, the Postal Service as a result of—

(1) mistake;

(2) fraudulent representations;

(3) collusion; or

(4) misconduct of an officer or employee of the Postal Service.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 745.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3203 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 32 / Section 3203: Endorsements on penalty covers
Endorsements on penalty covers
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, penalty covers shall bear, over the words "Official Business" an endorsement showing the name of the department, bureau, or office from which, or officer from whom, it is transmitted. The penalty for the unlawful use of all penalty covers shall be printed thereon.

(b) The Postal Service shall prescribe the endorsement to be placed on covers mailed under clauses (1)(E), (2), and (3) of section 3202(a) of this title.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 752.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 2803 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 28 / Section 2803: Performance plans
Performance plans
Status: in_force

(a) The Postal Service shall prepare an annual performance plan covering each program activity set forth in the Postal Service budget, which shall be included in the comprehensive statement presented under section 2401(e) of this title. Such plan shall—

(1) establish performance goals to define the level of performance to be achieved by a program activity;

(2) express such goals in an objective, quantifiable, and measurable form unless an alternative form is used under subsection (b);

(3) briefly describe the operational processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital, information, or other resources required to meet the performance goals;

(4) establish performance indicators to be used in measuring or assessing the relevant outputs, service levels, and outcomes of each program activity;

(5) provide a basis for comparing actual program results with the established performance goals; and

(6) describe the means to be used to verify and validate measured values.

(b) If the Postal Service determines that it is not feasible to express the performance goals for a particular program activity in an objective, quantifiable, and measurable form, the Postal Service may use an alternative form. Such alternative form shall—

(1) include separate descriptive statements of—

(A) a minimally effective program, and

(B) a successful program,

with sufficient precision and in such terms that would allow for an accurate, independent determination of whether the program activity's performance meets the criteria of either description; or

(2) state why it is infeasible or impractical to express a performance goal in any form for the program activity.

(c) In preparing a comprehensive and informative plan under this section, the Postal Service may aggregate, disaggregate, or consolidate program activities, except that any aggregation or consolidation may not omit or minimize the significance of any program activity constituting a major function or operation.

(d) The Postal Service may prepare a non-public annex to its plan covering program activities or parts of program activities relating to—

(1) the avoidance of interference with criminal prosecution; or

(2) matters otherwise exempt from public disclosure under section 410(c) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 103–62, §7, Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 293; amended Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(d)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3261.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435 substituted "section 2401(e)" for "section 2401(g)" in introductory provisions.
39 U.S.C. § 2604 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 26 / Section 2604: Delivery of stolen money to owner
Delivery of stolen money to owner
Status: in_force

When the Postal Service is satisfied that money or property in the possession of the Postal Service represents money or property stolen from the mails, or the proceeds thereof, it may deliver it to the person it finds to be the rightful owner.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 745.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3681 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 36 / Subchapter VI / Section 3681: Reimbursement
Reimbursement
Status: in_force

No mailer may be reimbursed for any amount paid under any rate or fee which, after such payment, is determined to have been unlawful after proceedings in accordance with the provisions of sections 3662 through 3664 of this title, or is superseded by a lower rate or fee established under subchapter II of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3261.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–435 substituted "sections 3662 through 3664" for "section 3628".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–10 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3005 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3005: False representations; lotteries
False representations; lotteries
Status: in_force

(a) Upon evidence satisfactory to the Postal Service that any person is engaged in conducting a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations, including the mailing of matter which is nonmailable under section 3001(d), (h), (i), (j), or (k) of this title, or is engaged in conducting a lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme for the distribution of money or of real or personal property, by lottery, chance, or drawing of any kind, the Postal Service may issue an order which—

(1) directs the postmaster of the post office at which mail arrives, addressed to such a person or to his representative, to return such mail to the sender appropriately marked as in violation of this section, if the person, or his representative, is first notified and given reasonable opportunity to be present at the receiving post office to survey the mail before the postmaster returns the mail to the sender;

(2) forbids the payment by a postmaster to the person or his representative of any money order or postal note drawn to the order of either and provides for the return to the remitter of the sum named in the money order or postal note; and

(3) requires the person or his representative to cease and desist from engaging in any such scheme, device, lottery, or gift enterprise.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, the mailing of matter which is nonmailable under such section 3001(d), (h), (i), (j), or (k) by any person shall constitute prima facie evidence that such person is engaged in conducting a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by false representations.

(b) The public advertisement by a person engaged in activities covered by subsection (a) of this section, that remittances may be made by mail to a person named in the advertisement, is prima facie evidence that the latter is the agent or representative of the advertiser for the receipt of remittances on behalf of the advertiser. The Postal Service may ascertain the existence of the agency in any other legal way satisfactory to it.

(c) As used in this section, the term "representative" includes an agent or representative acting as an individual or as a firm, bank, corporation, or association of any kind.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the mailing of (1) publications containing advertisements, lists of prizes, or information concerning a lottery, which are exempt, pursuant to section 1307 of title 18 of the United States Code, from the provisions of sections 1301, 1302, 1303, and 1304 of title 18 of the United States Code, (2) tickets or other materials concerning such a lottery within that State to addresses within that State, or (3) an advertisement promoting the sale of a book or other publication, or a solicitation to purchase, or a purchase order for any such publication, if (A) such advertisement, solicitation, or purchase order is not materially false or misleading in its description of the publication; (B) such advertisement, solicitation, or purchase order contains no material misrepresentation of fact: Provided, however, That no statement quoted or derived from the publication shall constitute a misrepresentation of fact as long as such statement complies with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C); and (C) the advertisement, solicitation, or purchase order accurately discloses the source of any statements quoted or derived from the publication. Paragraph (3) shall not be applicable to any publication, advertisement, solicitation, or purchase order which is used to sell some other product in which the publisher or author has a financial interest as part of a commercial scheme. For the purposes of this subsection, "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States.

(e)(1) In conducting an investigation to determine if a person is engaged in any of the activities covered by subsection (a) of this section, the Postmaster General (or any duly authorized agent of the Postmaster General) may tender, at any reasonable time and by any reasonable means, the price advertised or otherwise requested for any article or service that such person has offered to provide through the mails.

(2) A failure to provide the article or service offered after the Postmaster General or his agent has tendered the price advertised or otherwise requested in the manner described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, and any reasons for such failure, may be considered in a proceeding held under section 3007 of this title to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this section has occurred.

(3) The Postmaster General shall prescribe regulations under which any individual seeking to make a purchase on behalf of the Postal Service under this subsection from any person shall—

(A) identify himself as an employee or authorized agent of the Postal Service, as the case may be;

(B) state the nature of the conduct under investigation; and

(C) inform such person that the failure to complete the transaction may be considered in a proceeding under section 3007 of this title to determine probable cause, in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 747; Pub. L. 93–583, §4, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1916; Pub. L. 94–525, §2, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2478; Pub. L. 95–360, Sept. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 98–186, §2, Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1315; Pub. L. 100–625, §2(c), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3205; Pub. L. 101–524, §2(b), Nov. 6, 1990, 104 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 102–71, §2(2), July 10, 1991, 105 Stat. 330; Pub. L. 106–168, title I, §§104, 105(b)(2)(A), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1810, 1811; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(g)(3), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3262.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–435 substituted "under section 3001(d)," for "under 3001(d)," in introductory provisions and "under such section 3001(d)," for "under such 3001(d)," in concluding provisions.

1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–168, §104, in two places, struck out "or" after "(h)," and inserted ", (j), or (k)" after "(i)".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–168, §105(b)(2)(A), substituted "section," for "section and section 3006 of this title,".

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–71 substituted "3001(d), (h), or (i)" for "section 3001(d), (f), or (g)" in two places.

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–524 substituted "section 3001(d), (f), or (g)" for "section 3001(d)" in two places.

1988—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 100–625 amended cl. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (1) read as follows: "a newspaper of general circulation containing advertisements, lists of prizes, or information concerning a lottery conducted by a State acting under authority of State law, published in that State, or in an adjacent State which conducts such a lottery,".

1983—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–186, §2(a), added par. (3).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–186, §2(b), struck out "or" before "(2)", inserted "or" before "(3)", and inserted cl. (3) and provision relating to applicability of cl. (3).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–186, §2(c), added subsec. (e).

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–360 inserted provisions relating to nonmailable matter under section 3001(d) of this title.

1976—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–525 substituted "a newspaper of general circulation containing advertisements, lists of prizes, or information concerning a lottery conducted by a State acting under authority of State law, published in that State, or in an adjacent State which conducts such a lottery," for "a newspaper of general circulation published in a State containing advertisements, lists of prizes, or information concerning a lottery conducted by that State acting under authority of State law,".

1975—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–583 added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–168 effective 120 days after Dec. 12, 1999, see section 111 of Pub. L. 106–168, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–524 effective Nov. 6, 1990, and applicable to matter deposited for mailing and delivery on or after 180 days after Nov. 6, 1990, see section 6 of Pub. L. 101–524, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–625 effective 18 months after Nov. 7, 1988, see section 5 of Pub. L. 100–625, set out as a note under section 1304 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Consumer Education Program on Schemes Involving False Representations

Pub. L. 98–186, §4, Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1317, as amended by Pub. L. 104–66, title II, §2211(a), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 732; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(68), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4350, provided that:

"(a) As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 30, 1983], the Postmaster General or his designee, following consultation with representatives of the mail order industry, shall develop and carry out a program designed to provide consumer education to the public on schemes involving false representations through use of the mails, including the dissemination of information on recognizing practices commonly associated with such schemes, as well as appropriate measures which an individual may take upon receiving mail matter which the individual believes may be part of such a scheme.

"(b) A summary of the activities carried out under subsection (a) shall be included in the first semiannual report submitted each year as required under section 405 of title 5, United States Code."
39 U.S.C. § 3214 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 32 / Section 3214: Mailing privilege of former President; surviving spouse of former President
Mailing privilege of former President; surviving spouse of former President
Status: in_force

A former President and the surviving spouse of a former President may send nonpolitical mail within the United States and its territories and possessions as franked mail. Such mail of a former President and of the surviving spouse of a former President marked "Postage and Fees Paid" in the manner prescribed by the Postal Service shall be accepted by the Postal Service for transmission in the international mails.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 754; Pub. L. 93–191, §4(a), Dec. 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 742; Pub. L. 103–123, title IV, §6(b), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1246; Pub. L. 105–61, title IV, §409(b), Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1299.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1997—Pub. L. 105–61 struck out subsec. (a) designation, substituted "A former President" for "Subject to subsection (b), a former President", and struck out subsec. (b) which read as follows: "Subsection (a) shall cease to apply—

"(1) 5 years after the effective date of this subsection, in the case of any individual who, on such effective date—

"(A) is a former President (including any individual who might become entitled to the mailing privilege under subsection (a) as the surviving spouse of such a former President); or

"(B) is the surviving spouse of a former President; and

"(2) 4 years and 6 months after the expiration of the period for which services and facilities are authorized to be provided under section 4 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note), in the case of an individual who becomes a former President after such effective date (including any surviving spouse of such individual, as described in the parenthetical matter in paragraph (1)(A))."

1993—Pub. L. 103–123 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted "Subject to subsection (b), a former" for "A former", and added subsec. (b).

1973—Pub. L. 93–191 limited the mailing privilege to nonpolitical mail, extended the privilege to surviving spouse of former President and provided for acceptance of such mail marked "Postage and Fees Paid" by the Postal Service for transmission in the international mails.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–123, title IV, §6(c), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1247, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and provisions set out as a note under section 102 of Title 3, The President] shall take effect on October 1, 1993."

Effective Date of 1973 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–191 effective Dec. 27, 1972, see section 14 of Pub. L. 93–191, set out as a note under section 3210 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3220 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 32 / Section 3220: Use of official mail in the location and recovery of missing children
Use of official mail in the location and recovery of missing children
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, after consultation with appropriate public and private agencies, shall prescribe general guidelines under which penalty mail may be used to assist in the location and recovery of missing children. The guidelines shall provide information relating to—

(A) the form and manner in which materials and information relating to missing children (such as biographical data and pictures, sketches, or other likenesses) may be included in penalty mail;

(B) appropriate sources from which such materials and information may be obtained;

(C) the procedures by which such materials and information may be obtained; and

(D) any other matter which the Office considers appropriate.

(2) Each executive department and independent establishment of the Government of the United States shall prescribe regulations under which penalty mail sent by such department or establishment may be used in conformance with the guidelines prescribed under paragraph (1).

(b) The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Communications Standards Commission shall prescribe for their respective Houses rules and regulations, and shall take such other action as the Committee or Commission considers necessary and proper, in order that purposes similar to those of subsection (a) may, in the discretion of the congressional official or office concerned, be carried out by the use of franked mail sent by such official or office.

(c) As used in this section, "Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention" and "Office" each means the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention within the Department of Justice, as established by section 201 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.

(Added Pub. L. 99–87, §1(a)(1), Aug. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 290; Pub. L. 116–260, div. I, title I, §116(b)(2)(A)(iii), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1637.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 201 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c), is section 201 of Pub. L. 93–415, which enacted section 11111 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement, and amended section 5108 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted "House Communications Standards Commission" for "House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2020 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–260 applicable with respect to communications disseminated on or after Dec. 27, 2020, see section 116(f) of div. I of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 501 of Title 2, The Congress.

Termination Date

Pub. L. 99–87, §5, Aug. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 290, as amended by Pub. L. 100–202, §101(m) [title VI, §627(a)], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–390, 1329–430; Pub. L. 102–514, §1(2), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3371; Pub. L. 105–126, §1(2), Dec. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 2542, which provided that the amendments made by section 1 of Pub. L. 99–87, enacting this section and amending sections 3201 and 3204 of this title and section 733 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents, and any guidelines, rules, or regulations prescribed to carry out such amendments were to cease to be effective after December 31, 2002, was repealed by Pub. L. 109–426, §1, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2911.

Issuance of Guidelines, Rules, and Regulations

Pub. L. 99–87, §2, Aug. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 291, provided that:

"(a) Guidelines.—The guidelines described in section 3220(a)(1) of title 39, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall be prescribed not later than ninety days after the date of the enactment of this Act (Aug. 9, 1985).

"(b) Rules and Regulations.—The regulations described in subsection (a)(2) of section 3220 of title 39, United States Code, as added by this Act, and the rules and regulations described in subsection (b) of such section, as so added, shall be prescribed not later than one hundred and eighty days after the date of the enactment of this Act (Aug. 9, 1985)."

Reporting Requirements

Pub. L. 99–87, §3, Aug. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 291, as amended by Pub. L. 100–202, §101(m) (title VI, §627(b)), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–390, 1329–430; Pub. L. 102–514, §1(1), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3371; Pub. L. 105–126, §1(1), Dec. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 2542, required the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards each to submit a report no later than June 30, 2002, on the authority provided by this section.

Clarification Relating to Coordination of Government Programs

Pub. L. 99–87, §4, Aug. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 292, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority provided by section 3220(b) of title 39, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall not be considered to be subject to the authority of any agency within the executive branch of the Government of the United States to coordinate programs relating to missing children."
39 U.S.C. § 3653 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 36 / Subchapter IV / Section 3653: Annual determination of compliance
Annual determination of compliance
Status: in_force

(a) Opportunity for Public Comment.—After receiving the reports required under section 3652 for any year, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall promptly provide an opportunity for comment on such reports by users of the mails, affected parties, and an officer of the Commission who shall be required to represent the interests of the general public.

(b) Determination of Compliance or Noncompliance.—Not later than 90 days after receiving the submissions required under section 3652 with respect to a year, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall make a written determination as to—

(1) whether any rates or fees in effect during such year (for products individually or collectively) were not in compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter (or regulations promulgated thereunder); or

(2) whether any service standards in effect during such year were not met.

If, with respect to a year, no instance of noncompliance is found under this subsection to have occurred in such year, the written determination shall be to that effect.

(c) Noncompliance With Regard to Rates or Services.—If, for a year, a timely written determination of noncompliance is made under subsection (b), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall take appropriate action in accordance with subsections (c) and (e) of section 3662 (as if a complaint averring such noncompliance had been duly filed and found under such section to be justified).

(d) Review of Performance Goals.—The Postal Regulatory Commission shall also evaluate annually whether the Postal Service has met the goals established under sections 2803 and 2804, and may provide recommendations to the Postal Service related to the protection or promotion of public policy objectives set out in this title.

(e) Rebuttable Presumption.—A timely written determination described in the last sentence of subsection (b) shall, for purposes of any proceeding under section 3662, create a rebuttable presumption of compliance by the Postal Service (with regard to the matters described under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b)) during the year to which such determination relates.

(Added Pub. L. 109–435, title II, §204(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3213.)
39 U.S.C. § 3008 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3008: Prohibition of pandering advertisements
Prohibition of pandering advertisements
Status: in_force

(a) Whoever for himself, or by his agents or assigns, mails or causes to be mailed any pandering advertisement which offers for sale matter which the addressee in his sole discretion believes to be erotically arousing or sexually provocative shall be subject to an order of the Postal Service to refrain from further mailings of such materials to designated addresses thereof.

(b) Upon receipt of notice from an addressee that he has received such mail matter, determined by the addressee in his sole discretion to be of the character described in subsection (a) of this section, the Postal Service shall issue an order, if requested by the addressee, to the sender thereof, directing the sender and his agents or assigns to refrain from further mailings to the named addressees.

(c) The order of the Postal Service shall expressly prohibit the sender and his agents or assigns from making any further mailings to the designated addresses, effective on the thirtieth calendar day after receipt of the order. The order shall also direct the sender and his agents or assigns to delete immediately the names of the designated addressees from all mailing lists owned or controlled by the sender or his agents or assigns and, further, shall prohibit the sender and his agents or assigns from the sale, rental, exchange, or other transaction involving mailing lists bearing the names of the designated addressees.

(d) Whenever the Postal Service believes that the sender or anyone acting on his behalf has violated or is violating the order given under this section, it shall serve upon the sender, by registered or certified mail, a complaint stating the reasons for its belief and request that any response thereto be filed in writing with the Postal Service within 15 days after the date of such service. If the Postal Service, after appropriate hearing if requested by the sender, and without a hearing if such a hearing is not requested, thereafter determines that the order given has been or is being violated, it is authorized to request the Attorney General to make application, and the Attorney General is authorized to make application, to a district court of the United States for an order directing compliance with such notice.

(e) Any district court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which any mail matter shall have been sent or received in violation of the order provided for by this section shall have jurisdiction, upon application by the Attorney General, to issue an order commanding compliance with such notice. Failure to observe such order may be punishable by the court as contempt thereof.

(f) Receipt of mail matter 30 days or more after the effective date of the order provided for by this section shall create a rebuttable presumption that such mail was sent after such effective date.

(g) Upon request of any addressee, the order of the Postal Service shall include the names of any of his minor children who have not attained their nineteenth birthday, and who reside with the addressee.

(h) The provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5, relating to administrative procedure, and chapter 7, relating to judicial review, of title 5, shall not apply to any provisions of this section.

(i) For purposes of this section—

(1) mail matter, directed to a specific address covered in the order of the Postal Service, without designation of a specific addressee thereon, shall be considered as addressed to the person named in the Postal Service's order; and

(2) the term "children" includes natural children, stepchildren, adopted children, and children who are wards of or in custody of the addressee or who are living with such addressee in a regular parent-child relationship.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 748.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3682 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 36 / Subchapter VI / Section 3682: Size and weight limits
Size and weight limits
Status: in_force

The Postal Service may establish size and weight limitations for mail matter in the market-dominant category of mail consistent with regulations the Postal Regulatory Commission may prescribe under section 3622. The Postal Service may establish size and weight limitations for mail matter in the competitive category of mail consistent with its authority under section 3632.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 96–70, title I, §1331(e)(4), Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 482; Pub. L. 97–242, §1(a), Aug. 24, 1982, 96 Stat. 300; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3261.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–435 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: "The Postal Service may establish size and weight limitations for mail matter in the same manner as prescribed for changes in mail classification under subchapter II of this chapter."

1982—Pub. L. 97–242 struck out subsecs. (a) and (b) and designation "(c)" before "The Postal Service" and in resulting undesignated paragraph substituted "mail matter" and "mail classification" for "letter mail" and "classification", respectively. Former subsecs. (a) and (b) had provided that the maximum weight of mail other than letter mail was 40 pounds, that the maximum size was 78 inches in girth and length combined before July 1, 1971, and 84 inches in girth and length combined on and after July 1, 1971, and that the maximum size on mail, other than letter mail, was 100 inches in girth and length combined and the maximum weight was 70 pounds if the mail (1) was mailed at, or addressed for delivery at, other than first-class post offices or on rural or star routes, (2) contained baby fowl, live plants, trees, shrubs, or agricultural commodities but not the manufactured products of those commodities, (3) would have been entitled to be mailed under former section 4554 of this title, (4) was addressed to or mailed at any Armed Forces post office outside the 50 States, or (5) was addressed to or mailed in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the States of Alaska and Hawaii, or a possession of the United States including the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

1979—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 96–70 struck out "the Canal Zone and" after "United States including".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–242, §1(b), Aug. 24, 1982, 96 Stat. 300, provided that: "The size and weight limitations for other than letter mail established by subsections (a) and (b) of section 3682 of title 39, United States Code, as in effect on the day prior to the effective date of this section [Aug. 24, 1982], shall remain in effect until changed pursuant to section 3682 of such title, as amended, by subsection (a) of this section."

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–70 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 3304 of Pub. L. 96–70, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3601 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–10 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 3007 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 30 / Section 3007: Detention of mail for temporary periods
Detention of mail for temporary periods
Status: in_force

(a)(1) In preparation for or during the pendency of proceedings under section 3005, the Postal Service may, under the provisions of section 409(d), apply to the district court in any district in which mail is sent or received as part of the alleged scheme, device, lottery, gift enterprise, sweepstakes, skill contest, or facsimile check or in any district in which the defendant is found, for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction under the procedural requirements of rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

(2)(A) Upon a proper showing, the court shall enter an order which shall—

(i) remain in effect during the pendency of the statutory proceedings, any judicial review of such proceedings, or any action to enforce orders issued under the proceedings; and

(ii) direct the detention by the postmaster, in any and all districts, of the defendant's incoming mail and outgoing mail, which is the subject of the proceedings under section 3005.

(B) A proper showing under this paragraph shall require proof of a likelihood of success on the merits of the proceedings under section 3005.

(3) Mail detained under paragraph (2) shall—

(A) be made available at the post office of mailing or delivery for examination by the defendant in the presence of a postal employee; and

(B) be delivered as addressed if such mail is not clearly shown to be the subject of proceedings under section 3005.

(4) No finding of the defendant's intent to make a false representation or to conduct a lottery is required to support the issuance of an order under this section.

(b) If any order is issued under subsection (a) and the proceedings under section 3005 are concluded with the issuance of an order under that section, any judicial review of the matter shall be in the district in which the order under subsection (a) was issued.

(c) This section does not apply to mail addressed to publishers of newspapers and other periodical publications entitled to a periodical publication rate or to mail addressed to the agents of those publishers.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 747; Pub. L. 106–168, title I, §105(a), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1810.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Amendments

1999—Pub. L. 106–168 added subsecs. (a) and (b), struck out former subsec. (a) which provided for injunctive relief and other orders by the district court in which the defendant gets his mail, and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–168 effective 120 days after Dec. 12, 1999, see section 111 of Pub. L. 106–168, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
39 U.S.C. § 2401 (2024) — Title 39: POSTAL SERVICE / Chapter 24 / Section 2401: Appropriations
Appropriations
Status: in_force

(a) There are appropriated to the Postal Service all revenues received by the Postal Service.

(b)(1) As reimbursement to the Postal Service for public service costs incurred by it in providing a maximum degree of effective and regular postal service nationwide, in communities where post offices may not be deemed self-sustaining, as elsewhere, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service the following amounts:

(A) for each of the fiscal years 1972 through 1979, an amount equal to 10 percent of the sum appropriated to the former Post Office Department by Act of Congress for its use in fiscal year 1971;

(B) for fiscal year 1980, an amount equal to 9 percent of such sum for fiscal year 1971;

(C) for fiscal year 1981, $486,000,000;

(D) for fiscal year 1982, $250,000,000;

(E) for fiscal year 1983, $100,000,000;

(F) for fiscal year 1984, no funds are authorized to be appropriated; and

(G) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, for each fiscal year thereafter an amount equal to 5 percent of such sum for fiscal year 1971.

(2) After fiscal year 1984, the Postal Service may reduce the percentage figure in paragraph (1)(G) of this subsection, including a reduction to 0, if the Postal Service finds that the amounts determined under such paragraph are no longer required to operate the Postal Service in accordance with the policies of this title.

(c) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service each year a sum determined by the Postal Service to be equal to the difference between the revenues the Postal Service would have received if sections 3217 and 3403 through 3406 had not been enacted and the estimated revenues to be received on mail carried under such sections. In requesting an appropriation under this subsection for a fiscal year, the Postal Service shall include an amount to reconcile sums authorized to be appropriated for prior fiscal years on the basis of estimated mail volume.

(d) As reimbursement to the Postal Service for losses which it incurred as a result of insufficient amounts appropriated under section 2401(c) for fiscal years 1991 through 1993, and to compensate for the additional revenues it is estimated the Postal Service would have received under the provisions of section 3626(a) (as last in effect before enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act), for the period beginning on October 1, 1993, and ending on September 30, 1998, if the fraction specified in subclause (VI) of section 3626(a)(3)(B)(ii) (as last in effect before enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act) were applied with respect to such period (instead of the respective fractions specified in subclauses (I) through (V) thereof), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service $29,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1994 through 2035.

(e) The Postal Service shall present to the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, at the same time it submits its annual budget under section 2009 of this title, sufficient copies of the budget of the Postal Service for the fiscal year for which funds are requested to be appropriated, and a comprehensive statement relating to the following matters:

(1) the plans, policies, and procedures of the Postal Service designed to comply with all of the provisions of section 101 of this title;

(2) postal operations generally, including data on the speed and reliability of service provided for the various classes of mail and types of mail service, mail volume, productivity, trends in postal operations, and analyses of the impact of internal and external factors upon the Postal Service;

(3) a listing of the total expenditures and obligations incurred by the Postal Service for the most recent fiscal year for which information is available, an estimate of the total expenditures and obligations to be incurred by the Postal Service during the fiscal year for which funds are requested to be appropriated, and the means by which these estimated expenses will be financed; and

(4) such other matters as the committees may determine necessary to ensure that the Congress is fully and currently consulted and informed on postal operations, plans, and policies.

Each year, the Postal Service shall appear before the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives to submit information which any such committee considers necessary to determine the amount of funds to be appropriated for the operation of the Postal Service, and to present testimony and respond to questions with respect to such budget and statement. Each such committee shall take such action as it considers appropriate and shall advise the Postal Service of such action.

(f) The failure of the President to request the appropriation of any part of the funds authorized by this section may not be deemed a failure of appropriations.

(g) The rates established under chapter 36 of this title for zone-rated parcels formerly entered under former chapter 67 of this title shall not be more than 10 percent less than the rates for such mail would be if the funds authorized under subsection (b) were not appropriated.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 743; Pub. L. 94–421, §2(a), (b), Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1303; Pub. L. 95–593, §11(a), Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2538; Pub. L. 96–499, title IV, §§411, 414(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2607; Pub. L. 97–35, title XVII, §1721, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 759; Pub. L. 99–410, title II, §201(b)(2), Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 99–509, title VI, §6003(b), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1933; Pub. L. 101–509, title II, §1(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1398; Pub. L. 102–141, title II, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 842; Pub. L. 103–31, §8(h)(2), May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 86; Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, §§703(a), 704(b)(1), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1267, 1270; Pub. L. 103–437, §13, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4590; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, §1010(c)(2), (d)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3261.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, referred to in subsec. (d), means the enactment of Pub. L. 109–435, which was approved Dec. 20, 2006.

Former chapter 67 of title 39, referred to in subsec. (g), means chapter 67 (§4551 et seq.) of former Title 39, The Postal Service, prior to the general revision and reenactment of Title 39 by Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 719.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–435, §1010(c)(2), inserted "(as last in effect before enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act)" after "section 3626(a)" and after "section 3626(a)(3)(B)(ii)".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–435, §1010(d)(1), substituted "Committee on Government Reform" for "Committee on Post Office and Civil Service" in introductory and concluding provisions and "Each year," for "Not later than March 15 of each year," in concluding provisions.

1994—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–437, in introductory provisions, substituted "Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service of the House of Representatives" for "Committees on Post Office and Civil Service", and, in concluding provisions, substituted "Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service of the House of Representatives" for "Committees on Post Office and Civil Service of the Senate and the House of Representatives".

1993—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–123, §703(a), in first sentence substituted "if sections 3217 and 3403 through 3406 had not been enacted" for "if sections 3217, 3403–3406, 3626(a)–(h), 3626(j)–(k), and 3629 of this title, had not been enacted" and "such sections." for "such sections and Acts." and in second sentence struck out "(i)" after "Postal Service shall" and substituted "volume." for "volume; and (ii) calculate the sums requested in respect of mail under former sections 4452(b) and 4452(c) of this title as though all such mail consisted of letter shaped pieces, as such pieces are defined in the then effective classification and rate schedules."

Pub. L. 103–31 substituted "3626(a)–(h), 3626(j)–(k), and 3629 of this title" for "and 3626(a)–(h) and (j)–(k) of this title," in first sentence.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–123, §704(b)(1)(A), (E), added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows:

"(d)(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service for fiscal year 1976 and for the period beginning July 1, 1976, and ending September 30, 1976, the amount of $500,000,000 to be applied against the accumulated operating indebtedness of the Postal Service as of September 30, 1976.

"(2) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service for fiscal year 1977 the amount of $500,000,000 to be applied against the accumulated operating indebtedness of the Postal Service as of September 30, 1977."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–123, §704(b)(1)(A), (B), redesignated subsec. (g) as (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which restricted Postal Service from effectuating any rate of postage exceeding rates in effect on Sept. 24, 1976, diminishing services below July 1, 1976, levels, closing post offices where 35 or more families regularly receive their mail and which was providing service on July 1, 1976, or closing post offices where fewer than 35 families receive their mail and which was providing service on July 1, 1976, unless 60 percent of patrons consent to such closing in writing.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–123, §704(b)(1)(A)–(C), redesignated subsec. (h) as (f), struck out at end "The failure of the President to request the appropriation of any part of the funds authorized by this section shall not relieve the Postal Service from the responsibility to comply with the provisions of subsections (e) and (f) of this section.", and struck out former subsec. (f) which read as follows: "During the period beginning on the date of the appropriation of the funds under subsection (d)(1) and ending on the date on which the Commission on Postal Service is required to transmit the final report required under section 7(f)(1) of the Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1976 to the President and each House of Congress, the Postal Service shall provide door delivery or curbline delivery to all permanent residential addresses (other than apartment building addresses) to which service is begun on or after the date of enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1976."

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–123, §704(b)(1)(B), (D), redesignated (i) as (g) and substituted "subsection (b)" for "subsections (b) and (d) of this section". Former subsec. (g) redesignated (e).

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 103–123, §704(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsecs. (h) and (i) as (f) and (g), respectively.

1991—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–141 amended last sentence generally. Prior to amendment, last sentence read as follows: "In requesting an appropriation under this subsection for a fiscal year, the Postal Service shall include an amount to reconcile sums authorized to be appropriated for prior fiscal years on the basis of estimated mail volume with sums which would have been authorized to be appropriated if based on the final audited mail volume."

1990—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–509 substituted "3626(a)–(h) and (j)–(k)" for "3626(a)–(h)".

1986—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–509 substituted "3626(a)–(h)" for "3626".

Pub. L. 99–410 substituted "3406" for "3405" and struck out "the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975, and the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955" after "3626 of this title,".

1981—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97–35 substituted "$250,000,000" for "an amount equal to 7 percent of such sum for fiscal year 1971" in subpar. (D), substituted "$100,000,000" for "an amount equal to 6 percent of such sum for fiscal year 1971" in subpar. (E), and substituted "no funds are authorized to be appropriated" for "an amount equal to 5 percent of such sum for fiscal year 1971" in subpar. (F).

1980—Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 96–499, §411, substituted "$486,000,000" for "an amount equal to 8 percent of such sum for fiscal year 1971".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 96–499, §414(a), inserted provision requiring Postal Service when requesting an appropriation under subsec. (c) to reconcile sums authorized to be appropriated for prior fiscal years on the basis of estimated mail volume with sums which would have been authorized if based on the final audited mail volume.

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–593 inserted provisions relating to applicability of Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.

1976—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 94–421, §2(a), struck out par. (3) which required Postal Service, when requesting appropriations, to present to the appropriate committees in Congress, a statement of its compliance with the cost policy established under section 101(b) of this title.

Subsecs. (d) to (i). Pub. L. 94–421, §2(b), added subsecs. (d) to (i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.

Committee on Governmental Affairs of Senate changed to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of Senate, effective Jan. 4, 2005, by Senate Resolution No. 445, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Oct. 9, 2004.

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, §703(b), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1267, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to appropriations for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1993."

Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, §704(c)(2), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1271, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to appropriations for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1993."

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–31 effective (1) with respect to a State that, on May 20, 1993, has a provision in the constitution of the State that would preclude compliance with section 20501 et seq. of Title 52, Voting and Elections, unless the State maintained separate Federal and State official lists of eligible voters, on the later of Jan. 1, 1996, or the date that is 120 days after the date by which, under the constitution of the State as in effect on May 20, 1993, it would be legally possible to adopt and place into effect any amendments to the constitution of the State that are necessary to permit compliance with section 20501 et seq. of Title 52 without requiring a special election, and (2) with respect to a State not described in cl. (1) on Jan. 1, 1995, see section 13 of Pub. L. 103–31, set out as an Effective Date note under section 20501 of Title 52.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–509, title II, §1(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1398, provided that: "The amendment enacted by this section [amending this section and section 3626 of this title] shall become effective ninety days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990]."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–509 effective Jan. 1, 1989, or effective date of next general change in rates and fees under sections 3622 and 3625 of this title [Apr. 3, 1988], whichever is sooner, see section 6003(c) of Pub. L. 99–509 set out as a note under section 3626 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–410 applicable with respect to elections taking place after Dec. 31, 1987, see section 204 of Pub. L. 99–410, set out as an Effective Date note under section 20301 of Title 52, Voting and Elections.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 1727 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 2003 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–499, title IV, §415, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2608, provided that: "The provisions of this subtitle, including the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle B (§§411–415) of title IV of Pub. L. 96–499, amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 403 of this title], shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 5, 1980]."

Effective Date

Subsec. (a) of this section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9, of the Board of Governors, and subsecs. (b) and (c) effective Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–10 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which the last item on page 194 identifies a reporting provision which, as subsequently amended, is contained in subsec. (e) of this section), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, and section 1(a)(4) [div. A, §1402(1)] of Pub. L. 106–554, set out as notes under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

Reduction of Authorization for Revenue Foregone

Pub. L. 99–272, title XV, §15101, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 330, provided that: "Notwithstanding subsection (c) of section 2401 of title 39, United States Code, the amount authorized to be appropriated pursuant to such subsection for fiscal year 1986 shall be $749,000,000."

Pub. L. 97–35, title XVII, §1723, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 759, as amended effective Oct. 1, 1982, by Pub. L. 97–216, title I, §101, July 18, 1982, 96 Stat. 189, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 2401(c) of title 39, United States Code, the amount authorized to be appropriated under such section shall not exceed—

"(1) $696,000,000 for fiscal year 1982;

"(2) $708,000,000 for fiscal year 1983; or

"(3) $760,000,000 for fiscal year 1984."