jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-07-23 00:00:00

Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2014 or the POSTAL Act of 2014 - Expands the specific powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the provision of basic financial services, including: (1) small-dollar loans; (2) checking accounts, interest-bearing savings accounts, and services relating to international money transfers, each of which may be provided by the USPS alone or in partnership with depository institutions and credit unions; (3) other basic financial services as appropriate in the public interest; and (4) the creation of a Postal Card that allows users to engage in such financial services.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-09-10 00:00:00

Postal Jobs Protection Act of 2014 - Prohibits mail processing facilities operating as of September 1, 2014, from being closed or consolidated prior to December 31, 2015.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-11-13 00:00:00

Ambassador Ebenezer D. Bassett Commemorative Stamp Act - Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Ebenezer D. Bassett.
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 FY2013 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.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-04-09 00:00:00

Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendments Act of 2013 - Extends federal employee protections against adverse personnel actions, including the right to appeal such actions to the Merit Systems Protection Board, to any career or noncareer U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee who is not represented by a bargaining representative and is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-12-04 00:00:00

Perpetual POW/MIA Stamp Act of 2014 - Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue a forever stamp that: (1) honors the sacrifices of the members of the Armed Forces who have been prisoners of war, missing in action, or unaccounted for; and (2) depicts the National League of Families POW/MIA flag.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-09 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: 2015-02-02 00:00:00

Directs the U.S. Postal Service, 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: 2015-02-05 00:00:00

Protect Overnight Delivery Act

Repeals the service standards for market-dominant products implemented by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on January 5, 2015, and directs USPS to reinstate the service standards that were in effect on December 31, 2011.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Health
Date: 2015-02-09 00:00:00

Fairness in Ambulance Reimbursement Act of 2015

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to suspend through December 31, 2015, implementation of the reclassification of rural to urban zip codes for payments under the fee schedule for ambulance services, as contained in the final rule published in the Federal Register by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 13, 2014.

The Secretary is required to ensure that claims for ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2015, are paid according to the classification of zip codes applied the day before the effective date of that final rule.

The Secretary must reclassify rural to urban zip codes for payment for ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2016, taking into account specified revised geographic delineations of the Office of Management and Budget.

Payments for ambulance services (other than air ambulance services) furnished during 2016 must be adjusted according to a certain formula to achieve budget-neutral results.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-03-19 00:00:00

Moratorium on United States Postal Facilities Act

Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from closing, consolidating, selling, or otherwise disposing of any historic postal facility without prior written approval from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

Defines "historic postal facility" as any postal facility listed, or eligible to be listed, in the National Register of Historic Places.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-04-16 00:00:00

Secure Delivery for America Act of 2015

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, 2016; 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, 2015, to centralized, curbside, or sidewalk delivery during each of FY2017-FY2026, 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, 2016, 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: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-04-16 00:00:00

Securing Access to Rural Postal Services Act of 2015

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: 2015-04-22 00:00:00

Federal Leadership in Energy Efficient Transportation Act of 2015 or the FLEET Act of 2015 

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 or maintenance of infrastructure to support such vehicles, including electric vehicle charging stations. Expands the program of agency incentives for conserving energy to include in utility incentive programs measures to support the use of low emission and fuel efficient USPS vehicles.

Prohibits USPS from awarding a contract for a vehicle, or purchasing or leasing a vehicle for use by USPS, including a passenger car, light truck, or medium or heavy-duty vehicle, unless the vehicle meets certain minimum carbon dioxide emissions standards and average fuel economy standards.

Prohibits USPS from meeting the requirements of this Act by: (1) reducing the frequency of mail delivery, (2) closing post offices or postal distribution facilities, (3) taking any action to restrict or diminish a collective bargaining agreement or eliminate or reduce employee benefits, or (4) entering into a contact with a private company to perform duties that are currently performed by postal employees who are bargaining unit employees.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-04-29 00:00:00

Directs the U.S. Postal Service, not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to designate a single, unique ZIP code applicable to the area encompassing only North Plainfield, New Jersey.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-07-16 00:00:00

This bill directs the United States Postal Service to issue and sell an Alzheimer's Disease Research Semipostal Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp must be transferred to the National Institutes of Health.

The stamp must be made available to the public for six years.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-07-29 00:00:00

United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act

 Authorizes the mailing of alcoholic beverages by a covered entity in accordance with the delivery requirements otherwise applicable to a privately carried shipment. Defines a "covered entity" as an entity (including a winery, brewery, or beverage distilled spirits plant, or other wholesale, distributer, or retailer of alcoholic beverages) that has registered with, obtained a permit from, or obtained approval of an application from the Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act or the Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding alcohol, tobacco, and certain other excise taxes.

Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to prescribe regulations: (1) requiring such mailing to be through a means that ensures direct delivery to a duly authorized agent at a postal facility or to the addressee, who must be at least 21 years of age and present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery; (2) prohibiting such alcoholic beverages from being for resale or any other commercial purpose; and (3) requiring such covered entity to certify that the mailing is not in violation of applicable laws or regulations and to provide other information as directed by the USPS, including with respect to the prepayment of state alcohol beverage taxes.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-09-09 00:00:00

Defending Quality Postal Delivery for the Future Act

Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing or consolidating any post office or other postal facility that is located in a ZIP code that has a high rate of population growth.

Directs the USPS to determine annually whether a ZIP code has a high rate of population growth using population data available from the Bureau of the Census.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-09-18 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 U.S. 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: 2015-09-29 00:00:00

Mental Health Awareness Semipostal Stamp Act

This bill directs the United States Postal Service to issue and sell, at a premium, a Mental Health Awareness Semipostal Stamp. Use of this stamp must be voluntary for postal patrons.

Proceeds from the sale of this stamp must be transferred to the National Institute of Mental Health to help fund mental illness research and suicide prevention programs.

The stamp must be available to the public for at least six years.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-11-05 00:00:00

Veterans Health Care Stamp Act

This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Veterans Health Care Stamp to help fund the medical care and treatment of veterans.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-02-01 00:00:00

Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2015 [sic] or the POSTAL Act of 2015 [sic]

This bill expands the specific powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the provision of basic financial services, including: (1) small-dollar loans; (2) checking accounts, interest-bearing savings accounts, and services relating to international money transfers, each of which may be provided by the USPS alone or in partnership with depository institutions and credit unions; (3) other basic financial services as appropriate in the public interest; and (4) the creation of a Postal Card that allows users to engage in such financial services.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-02-10 00:00:00

Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to increase from 5 to 10 years the maximum prison term for a defendant who commits mail theft.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-02-26 00:00:00

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code applicable to the area encompassing only Eastvale, California.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-03-01 00:00:00

Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from: (1) closing or consolidating any postal facility without the approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission, or (2) closing or consolidating any postal facility or carrying out any network rationalization activity until the Commission has certified that the USPS has met the national service standards that were in effect on July 1, 2012, and that are reinstated by this Act.

For purposes of such prohibitions, "postal facility" means a USPS facility that is primarily involved in the preparation, dispatch, or other physical processing of mail but does not include: (1) any post office, station, or branch; or (2) any facility used only for administrative functions.

 Before making a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility, the USPS must conduct an area mail processing study, which includes: (1) a plan to reduce the capacity of the facility without closing it; and (2) an analysis of the effects of the closure or consolidation on the community, on small businesses, and on specified postal services to individuals.

 If the USPS makes a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility after completing such study, it shall: (1) provide specified notice to Congress, the Commission, the public, and each person in the zip code served by such facility; (2) conduct at least three meetings to receive public comments; and (3) publish a justification of such determination. The Commission shall have 90 days to approve or disapprove the closure or consolidation.

 The Commission shall determine annually if the USPS is meeting the national service standards for market-dominant products. If the Commission finds that the USPS is not meeting such standards, it may recommend corrective actions and reasonable performance targets. The Postmaster General shall respond within 60 days after receiving such recommendations on how the USPS will change operations to achieve them.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-03-03 00:00:00

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which, for payment of a fee recouping costs, a person to whom a document is sent under such initiative may require the U.S. Postal Service to obtain a signature from that person in order to deliver the document.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-05-25 00:00:00

Stamp Out Invasive Species Act

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp must be transferred in equal proportion to the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for combating invasive species. (Invasive species are nonnative species whose introduction poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and causes detrimental economic damage to local communities.)

The stamp must be made available to the public for two years.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-07-11 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Postal Service Financial Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to: (1) invest a specified percentage of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, using one or more qualified professional asset managers, in index funds modeled after those established for Thrift Savings Fund investments; and (2) ensure that the investment replicates the performance of the longest-term target date asset allocation investment fund established by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The bill establishes the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund Investment Committee, which Treasury shall consult regarding such investments.

The "specified percentage" to be invested is defined as 25% of the currently available portions of the fund as are not immediately required for payments from the fund, except that the committee may specify a higher percentage, not to exceed 30%, not earlier than five years after this bill's enactment and as appropriate thereafter.

Treasury shall annually engage an independent qualified public accountant to audit the financial statements of such investments and shall submit an annual management report that includes:

 statements of financial position, operations, and cash flows; a statement on internal accounting and administrative control systems; the report resulting from the audit; and any other comments and information necessary to inform Congress about the operations and financial condition of the investments.
Topic: Government Operations — Postal Service
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-07-13 00:00:00

Common Sense Postal Delivery Restoration Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from requiring centralized delivery (whereby mail receptacles of a number of delivery points are grouped or clustered at a single location) for certain residential housing units that: (1) were approved, before April 5, 2012, for construction; (2) would have been eligible for curbside delivery had they been constructed before such date; and (3) were not approved to receive such curbside delivery as of such date.

The USPS must establish curbside delivery (whereby a mail receptacle is situated at the edge of a sidewalk abutting a road or curb, or at a road or curb, and can be served by a letter carrier from a motorized vehicle) for such units.