Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

Bill: 115-s-1208
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Immigration status and procedures
Postal service
Public contracts and procurement
U.S. Postal Service
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-23
text: 

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.
 
DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.
 
If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier. 
 
 

action_date: 2017-10-16
text: 

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

 
(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.
 
DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.
 
If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier. 
 
(Sec. 4) DHS must report to Congress within two years of this bill's enactment describing the implementation of requirements under this bill, the fee imposed, and the number of times during the previous year that a person used a service under this bill.

action_date: 2017-12-21
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on October 16, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

 
(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document.
 
DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services.
 
If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier. 
 
(Sec. 4) DHS must report to Congress within two years of this bill's enactment describing the implementation of requirements under this bill, the fee imposed, and the number of times during the previous year that a person used a service under this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-12-22
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2017-12-22
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-12-22
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-12-21
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8270-8271; text: CR S8270-8271)
action_date: 2017-12-21
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8270-8271; text: CR S8270-8271)
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 241.
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-171.
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-171.
action_date: 2017-07-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate