Easy Access to Mail Act
Bill: H.R.1102 | Sponsor: Rep. Burchett, Tim (R-TN)
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
Easy Access to Mail Act
This bill establishes procedures for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) regarding the use of centralized delivery of the mail with respect to residential housing units.
Specifically, the bill
If approval for centralized delivery is granted, at least 60 days before commencing such delivery the local postmaster shall provide (1) written notice to any other units of local government and any planning commissions located within the applicable county; and (2) a period of 60 days for public comment from residents, property owners, and home builders within such county regarding the use of centralized delivery at the applicable housing development.
The Postal Regulatory Commission shall ensure that the USPS does not change any USPS policy in effect on the date of enactment that would result in a disproportionate negative affect on rural, lower income, elderly, disabled, or predominately minority communities.

To amend title 39, United States Code, to establish rules and 
 procedures for the United States Postal Service regarding the use of 
 centralized delivery of the mail with respect to residential housing 
                     units, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Easy Access to Mail Act''.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON CENTRALIZED DELIVERY FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL 
              HOUSING UNITS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter VII of chapter 36 of title 39, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 3692. Limitation on centralized delivery
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `centralized delivery' means a primary mode 
        of mail delivery whereby mail receptacles of a number of 
        delivery points are grouped or clustered at a single location;
            ``(2) the term `primary mode of mail delivery' means the 
        typical method by which the Postal Service delivers letter mail 
        to the delivery point of a postal patron; and
            ``(3) the term `housing development' means any single-
        family residential home or townhouse, but does not include any 
        multi-home apartment or condominium building.
    ``(b) Retroactive Change to Mode of Delivery Prohibited.--For any 
housing development with respect to which the primary mode of mail 
delivery is any such mode except for centralized delivery on the date 
of the enactment of this section, the Postal Service may not change 
such mode of delivery to centralized delivery.
    ``(c) Approval Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Postal Service may not require 
        centralized delivery with respect to any housing development 
        constructed after the date of the enactment of this section 
        without prior approval from the local legislative body, or, in 
        the absence of a local legislative body, the legislature of the 
        State with jurisdiction over the affected property.
            ``(2) Notice and comment.--If approval for centralized 
        delivery is granted under paragraph (1), at least 60 days 
        before commencing such delivery, the local postmaster shall 
        provide--
                    ``(A) written notice to any other units of local 
                government and any planning commissions located within 
                the applicable county; and
                    ``(B) a period of 60 days for public comment from 
                residents, property owners, and home builders within 
                such county regarding the use of centralized delivery 
                at the applicable housing development.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 36 of 
title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item 
relating to section 3691 the following:

``3692. Limitation on centralized delivery.''.
    (c) Postal Service Policies Affecting Vulnerable Communities.--The 
Postal Regulatory Commission shall ensure that the United States Postal 
Service does not change any Postal Service policy in effect on the date 
of the enactment of this Act that would result in a disproportionate 
negative affect on rural, lower income, elderly, disabled, or 
predominately minority communities.
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