[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 124 (Monday, June 29, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35140-35141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17249]


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POSTAL RATE COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3001

[Docket No. MC96-1; Order No. 1214]


Amendments to Domestic Mail Classification Schedule

AGENCY: Postal Rate Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the Domestic Mail Classification 
Schedule (DMCS) by eliminating provisions related to a barcoded small 
parcel experiment. These provisions expired April 28, 1998. Given the 
status of the experiment and the Postal Service's intention not to 
request an extension or seek a permanent classification, elimination of 
these provisions will ensure that the DMCS accurately reflects current 
classifications and discounts.

DATES: This rule was effective April 28, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
Postal Rate Commission, 1333 H Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 
20268-0001, 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One of the provisions recommended by the 
Commission and approved by the Governors in Docket No. MC96-1, 
Experimental First-Class and Priority Mail Small Parcel Automation Rate 
Category, specified that the experiment would be limited to a two-year 
period, ending April 28, 1998. Shortly before the expiration date, the 
Postal Service published a notice in the Federal Register stating its 
intention to allow the experiment to end on the scheduled expiration 
date without filing a request with the Commission to establish 
permanent classifications and discounts. The notice also briefly 
reviewed the basic objectives of the experiment and the reasons why the 
Service decided against pursuing a permanent classification. See 
generally 63 FR 19407-19408 (April 20, 1998).
    For the reasons stated above, the Commission hereby adopts the 
following amendment to the DMCS, which is incorporated by reference in 
the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 CFR part 3001, Appendix A to 
Subpart C--Postal Service Rates and Charges).

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 3001

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    For reasons set out in the preamble, the Commission amends 39 CFR 
part 3001 as follows:

PART 3001--RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 3001 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 39 U.S.C. 404(b), 3603, 3622-3624, 3661, 3662.

Subpart C--Rules Applicable to Requests for Establishing or 
Changing the Mail Classification Schedule

Appendix A to Subpart C--[Amended]

    2. Appendix A to Subpart C--Postal Service Rates and Charges is 
amended as follows:
    a. Remove 221.4.
    b. Remove and reserve 223.4.
    c. Remove ``Pre-barcoded parcels (experimental)'' and footnote 11 
in First-Class Mail Rate Schedule 221, Letters and Sealed Parcels.

[[Page 35141]]

    d. Remove note 5 in First-Class Mail Rate Schedule 223 Priority 
Mail Subclass.

    Dated: June 23, 1998.
Margaret P. Crenshaw,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-17249 Filed 6-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P