jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2011-12-16 00:00:00

Postal Investment Act of 2011 - Revises provisions of federal law relating to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) with respect to the funding of retiree health benefits, product innovation, and its workforce.   Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Act of 2011 - Revises the method for calculating USPS contributions to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund (Fund).  Eliminates currently required prefunding payments to the Fund after FY2012. Establishes the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Investment Board to manage investments for the Fund.  Permits the Board to invest in nongovernmental securities.  Establishes a funding level for the Fund at 80% of the net present value of contribution amounts. Exempts USPS from Fund contribution requirements in any fiscal year in which it has an outstanding debt obligation. Requires the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), in establishing or revising a system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products, to consider the effect of increased customer satisfaction and increased performance of services on the value of the mail for the general public, postal customers, and others engaged in the delivery of mail other than letters. Authorizes PRC to establish new classes of mail at the request of USPS. Directs the Postmaster General to: (1) designate a senior officer in USPS who has a wide range of knowledge of USPS, its customers, marketing, and product innovation to serve as Chief Product Innovation Officer; and (2) develop a program to educate postal employees and retirees on how Medicare benefits can interact with or supplement benefits under the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHB). Requires USPS to develop a program to increase compliance with postage requirements, including compliance with fraud investigations. Requires surplus contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to be used by USPS to fund separation payments to USPS employees who voluntarily separate from service before October 1, 2014. Grants postmasters and supervisors the right to consult with USPS on any changes to or reductions of compensation and benefits.  Extends protections afforded to federal employees in any reduction in force to USPS employees.   Authorizes the USPS Board of Governors to allow not more than 12 USPS officers or employees in critical senior executive or equivalent positions to receive total annual compensation in an amount not to exceed 135% of: (1) level I of the Executive Schedule for the Postmaster General, (2) level II of the Executive Schedule for the Deputy Postmaster General, and (3) level III of the Executive Schedule for any other officer or employee.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2012-04-26 00:00:00

Autism Spectrum Disorders Semipostal Stamp Act of 2012 - Requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue a semipostal for a five-year period, the proceeds of which shall be transferred to: (1) the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research into autism spectrum disorders, and (2) the Administration on Developmental Disabilities for new demonstration projects that are projects of national significance described in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 and that are designed to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorders have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-01-15 00:00:00

Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act - Amends the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 to require such stamp to be: (1) made available to the public for an additional four years; and (2) offered in a a choice of five versions depicting an African or Asian elephant, a rhinoceros, a tiger, a marine turtle, or a great ape.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-02-13 00:00:00

Postal Service Protection Act of 2013 - Sets forth rules for the recalculation of annuities for employees of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and for the redetermination of surplus or supplemental liabilities under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Prescribes the "average pay" to be used in calculating annuities and surplus amounts.

Authorizes the transfer of surplus postal retirement contributions in FY2010 to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, the Postal Service Fund, and the Employees' Compensation Fund under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and to USPS for payment of its debt obligations.

Eliminates the requirement for pre-funding of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.

Sets forth criteria for the closing or consolidation of postal facilities.

Allows USPS to provide any nonpostal service or product in a manner consistent with the public interest.

Provides for the mailing of wine and beer sent by a licensed winery or brewery in accordance with the laws of the state, territory, or district where the addressee or agent takes delivery.

Establishes in USPS the position of the Chief Innovation Officer who shall have proven expertise and success in the postal and shipping industry and in innovation, marketing, technology, and management. Establishes a Postal Innovation Advisory Commission. Requires the Postmaster General to report to specified congressional committees and the Postal Regulatory Commmission on a comprehensive strategy for maximizing USPS revenue through innovative postal and nonpostal products and services.

Prohibits USPS from reducing the frequency of mail delivery to fewer than six days each week or from increasing the expected delivery time for market-dominant products.

Repeals the annual limitation on the percentage changes on postal rates for market-dominant products.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00

Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (a postage stamp sold at a premium in order to help provide funding for certain causes) to benefit the Peace Corps.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-03-05 00:00:00

United States Postal Service Stabilization Act of 2013 - Amends provisions concerning the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), with respect to employees of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), to: (1) provide a new formula for calculating employee pension contributions using the normal-cost percentage method multiplied by the aggregate amount of basic pay payable to employees of USPS and the Postal Regulatory Commission, and (2) provide for the use of excess FERS contributions to pay USPS debt obligations and make pension contributions.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-03-06 00:00:00

Postal Executive Accountability Act - Limits to six the number of United States Postal Service (USPS) officers and employees in very senior executive positions who may be paid at level I of the Executive Schedule and otherwise prohibits the rate of basic pay and bonuses for USPS officers and employees from exceeding the rate of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule (currently, level I). Prohibits USPS officers and employees in very senior executive positions from receiving fringe benefits that are greater than the benefits received by other USPS supervisory and managerial personnel who are not subject to collective bargaining agreements.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-03-06 00:00:00

Community Post Office Relocation Act - Authorizes the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to sell, at fair market value, to certain tax-exempt private organizations fee simple title to USPS-owned post office buildings containing an office subject to relocation.

Requires such tax-exempt private organizations, in order to be considered an eligible buyer, to have operated primarily within the geographic area served by the relevant post office building for at least five years prior to a USPS announcement that the building will be available for sale.

Sets forth a procedure for the USPS to enter negotiations with eligible buyers in the order in which buyers submit their offers. Directs the USPS to sell such a building to the first organization submitting an offer for fair market value if all other relevant conditions are met within specified time periods.

Permits the USPS, after the sale of a building under this Act, to lease the building from the buyer at fair market value for purposes of operating a post office.

Requires the USPS, if a buyer under this Act makes the building available for sale, to maintain a right of first refusal to purchase the building back from the buyer at the lesser of fair market value or the purchase price plus any improvements.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-04-24 00:00:00

United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act - Authorizes the mailing of wine or malt beverages by licensed wineries or breweries in accordance with the law of the state, territory, or district of the United States where the addressee or duly authorized agent takes delivery.

Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to prescribe regulations: (1) requiring such mailing to be through a means established by the USPS to ensure direct delivery to the addressee or a duly authorized agent at a postal facility; (2) requiring the addressee and any agent to be at least 21 years of age and to present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery; (3) prohibiting such wine or malt beverages from being for resale or any other commercial purpose; and (4) requiring such wineries or breweries to certify that the mailing is not in violation of applicable laws or USPS regulations and to provide other information as directed by the USPS, including with respect to the prepayment of state alcohol beverage taxes.

Revises the federal criminal code to allow for the mailing of wine and malt beverages pursuant to this Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-05-09 00:00:00

Affordable Care Accountability Act of 2013 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require any employer contribution made on behalf of  the President, Vice President,  or any political appointee to be paid only to the issuer of a plan through an American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange created under PPACA), and not through the federal employees health benefit program. (Currently, this requirement applies to Members of Congress and congressional staff.)
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act of 2013 - Requires the United States Postal Service, for a period of at least four years, to provide for the issuance and sale of a semipostal in order to increase funding for effective programs targeted at improving permanency outcomes for youth in foster care.

Divides the amount received from such sales equally between: (1) programs and activities under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 that specifically target improvement in permanency outcomes for youth in foster care through adoption, guardianship, or kinship care; and (2) the program for state courts to assess and improve handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-06-20 00:00:00

Protect Overnight Delivery Act - Repeals the service standards for market-dominant products implemented by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on July 1, 2012, and directs USPS to reinstate the service standards that were in effect on December 31, 2011.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-07-08 00:00:00

Securing Access to Rural Postal Services Act of 2013 - Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), in any calendar year, from closing, consolidating, or suspending the operations of more than 5% of the postal facilities operating as of the first day of such calendar year and that were within specified cost ascertainment groupings as of June 23, 2011, except as specifically authorized by law.

Defines "postal facility" as a post office, post office branch, post office classified station, or other facility operated by the USPS, the primary function of which is to provide retail postal services.

Requires the USPS to conduct nonbinding surveys on proposed post office closings or consolidations to allow customers an opportunity to indicate their preference between or among such a closing or consolidation and one or more alternative options. Directs the USPS, if such a closure or consolidation is necessary, to provide access to postal services through the alternative preferred by survey participants and, if the preferred alternative is unable to be provided or is cost prohibitive, permits the USPS to provide alternative access through different means and requires the USPS to notify customers with a written explanation.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-07-23 00:00:00

Perpetual POW/MIA Stamp Act - Directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp that honors the sacrifices of the members of the Armed Forces who have been prisoners, missing, or unaccounted for and that depicts the National League of Families POW/MIA flag.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-01-16 00:00:00

Postmark Payment Act of 2014 - Deems any payment required to be made on or before a prescribed date that is delivered by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) after such date to be received by the payee on the date of the U.S. postmark stamped on the envelope or other cover in which such payment is mailed. Exempts from this Act any payment: (1) other than a payment on a bill, invoice, or statement of account due; (2) which is required by law, regulation, or contract to be delivered by any method other than by mail; or (3) which is subject to any other provision of federal law specifying how a postmark date shall be used in determining the date on which such payment shall be deemed to have been delivered or made. Applies the provisions of this Act only if: (1) the postmark date falls on or before the prescribed date for making the payment; and (2) the payment was, on or before such date, deposited in the mail in the United States in an envelope or under other appropriate cover, postage prepaid, and properly addressed to the payee.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-01-16 00:00:00

Expand Nonpostal Services to Americans Act - Expands the enumerated powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the authority to provide nonpostal services.

Removes existing conditions that limit nonpostal services to certain services offered as of January 1, 2006.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-01-29 00:00:00

Federal Leadership in Energy Efficient Transportation Act of 2014 or the FLEET Act - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to expand the definition of "energy or water conservation measure" under such Act to include, in the case of a contract in which the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is a party: (1) the purchase or lease of low emission and fuel efficient vehicles; (2) the upgrade of USPS vehicles to increase average fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions; or (3) the construction of infrastructure to support such vehicles, including electric vehicle charging stations.

Directs the Postmaster General to develop guidelines for USPS vehicles that provide for specified carbon dioxide emissions and fuel economy standards.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-02-06 00:00:00

Alaska Bypass Fair Competition Act of 2014 - Revises the eligibility requirements for air carriers to be selected by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to transport nonpriority bypass mail in the state of Alaska.

Redefines: (1) "existing mainline carrier" as a mainline carrier that, for each of the preceding 36 months, while having met certain certification and qualification standards, engaged in the carriage, on scheduled service within Alaska, of mainline nonpriority bypass mail tendered to it under its designator code (currently, such conditions must have been met as of January 1, 2001); and (2) "new," when referencing a carrier, as a carrier meeting certain requirements that has been providing nonpriority bypass mail service on a city pair route in Alaska for fewer than 36 consecutive months in the immediately preceding period (currently, a carrier is considered new if it began providing such service after January 1, 2001).
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-03-06 00:00:00

Alaska Bypass Modernization Act of 2014 - Amends provisions of federal law relating to Alaska bypass mail transportation to require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), in selecting a carrier of nonpriority bypass mail to a point in Alaska, to ensure: (1) a minimum of one scheduled flight per week to each nonpriority bypass mail destination with guaranteed capacity for nonpriority bypass mail, subject to the condition that the weather, lack of available service, or other extraordinary circumstances do not interfere with the fulfillment of such minimum requirement; and (2) that any flight that transports nonpriority bypass mail to a nonpriority bypass mail destination and that is in addition to the minimum flight requirement is necessary to the delivery of nonpriority bypass mail and maximizes the cost efficiency to USPS. Revises provisions relating to the tender of nonpriority mainline mail to bush carriers and between qualified passenger and nonmail freight carriers from an acceptance point in Alaska.

Modifies requirements and definitions relating to contracts for foreign and interstate air transportation. Authorizes USPS to contract for the transportation of mail by aircraft between any of the points in foreign air transportation only with certificated air carriers.

Treats Alaska bypass mail service as a separate competitive product for all purposes and prohibits the transfer of such service to the market-dominant category of mail.

Revises the schedule of rates and fees for matter sent by Alaska bypass mail service to cover at least 30% of costs attributable to such service in FY2015, with increasing percentages until FY2020, in which year 50% of such costs will be covered. Limits in FY2014-FY2020 any increase in the rate for any type of Alaska bypass mail service by more than the maximum permitted rate increase for market-dominant products plus an additional 1%.  Requires the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to determine, at least once each fiscal year, if USPS is in compliance with such rate schedule. Prohibits PRC from ordering USPS to discontinue Alaska bypass mail service.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-03-06 00:00:00

Victory for Veterans Stamp Act of 2014 - Directs the Postal Service to issue a special stamp, to be called the Victory for Veterans Stamp, at a cost of $1 each. Makes such Stamp valid for postage for first-class mail.

Requires Stamp sale proceeds to be used as follows: (1) one-third for funding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) veterans' vocational rehabilitation programs, (2) one-third to the general fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction, and (3) one-third for the Postal Service for modernization and fiscal administration.

Requires such Stamp to be made available to the public within six months after the enactment of this Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-05-19 00:00:00

Secure Delivery for America Act of 2014 - Declares that it is the policy of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to: (1) provide access to secure, convenient package delivery receptacles to the greatest number of postal patrons feasible; and (2) use the most cost-effective primary mode of mail delivery feasible.

Directs USPS to: (1) provide a primary mode of mail delivery other than door delivery, with a preference for secure, centralized delivery, for new addresses established after September 30, 2014; and (2) implement a program to convert existing business addresses with door delivery to centralized delivery.

Requires: (1) each USPS district office to identify residential addresses within its service area that are appropriate candidates for conversion to centralized, curbside, or sidewalk delivery; and (2) USPS to seek to voluntarily make such conversion.

Requires the USPS, in making conversion determinations, to consider: (1) the impact of weather conditions, physical barriers, or any other factor on the feasibility of providing a primary mode of mail delivery other than door delivery; (2) whether the address is of historic value; and (3) population density and the concentration of poverty.

Directs USPS to establish and maintain a waiver program for cases in which door delivery is necessary to avoid causing significant physical hardship or physical safety risks to a postal patron.

Requires USPS to: (1) convert at least 1.5 million of the door delivery points extant on December 31, 2013, to centralized, curbside, or sidewalk delivery during each of FY2015-FY2024, with priority to voluntary conversions; (2) convert delivery points to centralized delivery to the greatest extent feasible and include secure package lockers co-located with mail receptacles at the centralized delivery point; (3) establish procedures to place centralized delivery points in locations that maximize delivery efficiency, ease of use for postal patrons, and respect for private property rights; and (4) provide for a voucher program under which USPS may defray costs associated with conversion that would otherwise be borne by postal patrons.

Authorizes USPS to continue to provide door delivery for a fee to an address that received such delivery as of January 1, 2014, but was converted or scheduled to be converted to a different primary mode of mail delivery as a result of this Act's requirements.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2014-06-09 00:00:00

Stamp Out Violence In Our Communities Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue a special postage stamp to provide funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Gang Resistance Education and Training Program.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-06-19 00:00:00

Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to designate a single, unique ZIP code applicable to the area encompassing only Glendale, New York.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-07-11 00:00:00

Support the Families of Fallen Heroes Semipostal Stamp Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue a Families of Fallen Heroes Semipostal Stamp. Requires 50% of the proceeds from the sale of such stamp (after the recovery of costs) to be transferred to: (1) the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and (2) the Families of the Fallen support program of United Service Organizations, Inc.