Postal Reorganization Act Amendments
PL 94-421 (H.R.8603), enacted 09/24/1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
90 STAT. 1303 
Public Law 94-421 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 39, United States Code, with respect to ttie organizational and 
financial 
matters of the United States Postal Service and the Postal Rate 
Commission, and for oher purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of RepreseTitativcs of the 
United States of Am,erica in Congress assembled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1976". 
SEC. 2. (a) Section 2401(b) of title 39, United States Code, is 
amended by striking out paragraph (3). 
(b) Section 2401 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following new subsections: 
"(d) (1) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Serv-
ice for fiscal year 1976 and for the period beginning July 1, 1976, and 
ending September 30, 1976, the amount of $500,000,000 to be applied 
against the accumulated operating indebtedness of the Postal Service 
as of September 30,1976. 
"(2) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service 
for fiscal year 1977 the amount of $500,000,000 to be applied against 
the accumulated operating indebtedness of the Postal Service as of 
September 30,1977. 
"(e) During the period beginning on the date of the appropriation 
of the funds under subsection (d)(1) and ending on the date on which 
the Commission on Postal Service is required to transmit the final 
report required under section 7(f)(1) of the Postal Reorganization 
Act Amendments of 1976 to the President and each House of Congress, 
the Postal Service shall not— 
" (1) have in effect any permanent or temporary rate of postage 
or fee for postal services exceeding the rates and fees in effect on 
the date of enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act A^mend-
ments of 1976; 
"(2) provide levels and types of postal services which are less 
than the levels and types of services provided on July 1, 1976; 
"(3) close any post office where 35 or more families regularly 
receive their mail and which was providing service on July 1, 
1976; or 
" (4) close any post office where fewer than 35 families receive 
their mail and which was providing service on July 1,1976, unless 
the Postal Service receives the written consent of at least 60 per-
cent of the regular patrons of such office who are at least 18 years 
of age. 
"(f) During the period beginning on the date of the appropriation 
of the funds under subsection (d) (1) and ending on the date on 
which the Commission on Postal Service is required to transmit the 
final report required under section 7(f) (1) of the Postal Reorganiza-
tion Act Amendments of 1976 to the President and each House of 
Congress, the Postal Service shall provide door delivery or curbline 
delivery to all permanent residential addresses (other than apartment 
building addresses) to w^hich service is begun on or after the date of 
enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1976. 
"(g) The Postal Service shall present to the Committees on Post 
Office and Civil Service and the Committees on Appropriations of the 
Sept. 24. 1976 
[H.R. 8603] 
Postal 
Reorganization 
Act Amendments 
of 1976. 
39 u s e 101 note. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Budget, 
presentation to 
congressional 
committees. 
90 STAT. 1304 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
39 use 2009. 
39 use 101. 
Testimony before 
congressional 
committees. 
39 use 3601 
et seq. 
Ante, p. 1303. 
Postal Rate 
Commission. 
Membership. 
Senate and the House of Representatives, at the same time it submits 
its annual budget under section 2009 of this title, sufficient copies of the 
budget of the Postal Service for the fiscal year for which funds are 
requested to be appropriated, and a comprehensive statement relating 
to the following matters: 
"(1) the plans, policies, and procedures of the Postal Service 
designed to comply with all of the provisions of section 101 of 
this title; 
"(2) postal operations generally, including data on the speed 
and reliability of service provided for the various classes of mail 
and types of mail service, mail volume, productivity, trends in 
postal operations, and analyses of the impact of internal and 
external factors upon the Postal Service; 
" (3) a listing of the total expenditures and obligations incurred 
by the Postal Service for the most recent fiscal year for which 
information is available, an estimate of the total expenditures 
and obligations to be incurred by the Postal Service during the 
fiscal year for which funds are requested to be appropriated, and 
the means by which these estimated expenses will be financed; 
and 
" (4) such other matters as the committees may determine neces-
sary to ensure that the Congress is fully and currently consulted 
and informed on postal operations, plans, and policies. 
Not later than March 15 of each year, the Postal Service shall appear 
before the Committees on Post Office and Civil Service of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives to submit information which any 
such committee considers necessary to determine the amount of funds 
to be appropriated for the operation of the Postal Service, and to 
present testimony and respond to questions with respect to such budget 
and statement. Each such committee shall take such action as it con-
siders appropriate and shall advise the Postal Service of such action. 
"(h) The faihire of the President to request the appropriation of 
any part of the funds authorized by this section mav not be deemed a 
failure of appropriations. The failure of the President to request the 
appropriation of any part of the funds authorized by this section shall 
not relieve the Postal Service from the responsibility to comply with 
the provisions of subsections (e) and (f) of this section. 
"(i) The rates established under chapter 36 of this title for zone-
rated parcels formerly entered under former chapter 67 of this title 
shall not be more than 10 percent less than the rates for such mail 
would be if the funds authorized under subsection (b) and (d) of this 
section were not appropriated.". 
(c) Section 2003 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any 
amounts appropriated to the Postal Service under subsection (d) of 
section 2401 of this title and deposited into the Fund shall be expended 
by the Postal Service only for the purposes provided in such 
subsection.". 
SEO. 3. (a) Section 3601 of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
"§3601. Establishment 
"(a) The Postal Rate Commission is an independent establishment 
of the executive branch of the Government of the United States. The 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
90 STAT. 1305 
Commission is composed of 5 Commissioners, appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and concent of the Senate. The Commis-
sioners shall be chosen on the basis of their professional qualifications 
and may be removed by the President only for cause. Not more than 3 
of the Commissioners may be adherents of the same political party. 
"(b) A Commissioner may continue to serve after the expiration of Term, 
his term until his successor has qualified, except that a Commissioner 
may not so continue to serve for more than 1 year after the date upon 
which his term otherwise would expire under section 3602 of this title. 39 USC 3602. 
"(c) One of the Commissioners shall be designated as Chairman by, 
and shall serve in the position of Chairman at the pleasure of, the 
President. 
"(d) The Commissioners shall by majority vote designate a Vice 
Chairman of the Commission. The Vice Chairman shall act as Chair-
man of the Commission in the absence of the Chairman.". 
(b) The provisions of section 3601(a) of title 39, United States 39 USC 3601 
Code, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, shall not apply "ote. 
with respect to any Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission 
holding office on the date of the enactment of this Act, except that such 
provisions shall apply to any appointment of such a Commissioner 
occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 4. Section 3604 of title 39, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
"§3604. Administration 
"(a) The Chairman of the Postal Eate Commission shall be the 
principal executive officer of the Commission. The Chairman shall 
exercise or direct the exercise of all the executive and administrative 
functions of the Commission, including functions of the Commission 
with respect to (1) the appointment of personnel employed under the 
Commission, except that the appointment of heads of major adminis-
trative units under the Commission shall require the approval of 
a majority of the members of the Commission, (2) the supervision 
of the personnel employed under the Commission and the distribution 
of business among them and among the Commissioners, and (3) the 
use and expenditure of funds. 
• *
•
' 
"(b) In carrying out any of his functions under this section, the 
Chairman shall be governed by the general policies of the Commission. 
"(c) The Chairman may obtain such facilities and supplies as may 
'1 
be necessary to permit the Commission to carry out its functions. Any 
officer or employee appointed under this section shall be paid at rates 
of compensation and shall be entitled to programs offering employee 
benefits established under chapter 10 or chapter 12 of this title, as 39 USC 1001 et 
appropriate. 
•se^, 1201 et seq. 
"(d)(1) The Commission shall periodically prepare and submit Budget, submittal 
to the Postal Service a budget of the Commission's expenses, includ- ^^ Commission, 
ing, but not limited to, expenses for facilities, supplies, compensation, 
and employee benefits. The budget shall be considered approved— 
"(A) as submitted if the Governors fail to act in accordance 
with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; or 
"(B) as adjusted if the Governors holding office, by unani-
mous written decision, adjust the total amount of money requested 
in the budget. 
Subparagraph (B) shall not be construed to authorize the Governors 
to adjust any item included within the budget. 
90 STAT. 1306 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
39 use 2003. 
39 use 410, 
1001 et seq. 
Recommended 
decisions. 
39 use 3622. 
Extension. 
39 use 3624 
note. 
Supra. 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
"(2) Expenses incurred under any budget approved under para-
graph (1) of this subsection shall be paid out of the Postal Service 
fund established under section 2003 of this title. 
"(e) The provisions of section 410 and chapter 10 of this title shall 
apply to the Commission, as appropriate.". 
SEC. 5. (a) Section 3624 of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d) and by inserting 
immediately after subsection (b) the following new subsection: 
"(c) (1) Except as provided by paragraph (2) of this subsection, 
in any case in which the Postal Service makes a request under section 
3622 of this title for a recommended decision by the Commission on 
changes in a rate or rates of postage or in a fee or fees for postal serv-
ices the Commission shall transmit its recommended decision to the 
Grovernors under subsection (d) of this section no later than 10 months 
after receiving any such request from the Postal Service. 
"(2) In any case in which the Commission determines that the 
Postal Service has unreasonably delayed consideration of a request 
made by the Postal Service under section 3622 by failing to respond 
within a reasonable time to any lawful order of the Commission, the 
Commission may extend the lO-month period described in paragraph 
(1) of this subsection by one day for each day of such delay.". 
(b) The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section shall 
not apply to any action or proceeding with respect to the recom-
mended decision of the Postal Rate Commission relating to proposed 
changes in rates of postage, and in fees for postal services, requested 
on September 18,1975, by the United States Postal Service in a request 
which bears, or which at any time has been included under. Postal 
Rate Commission Docket Number R76-1. 
SEC. 6. (a) Section 3641 of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
"§ 3641. Temporary changes in rates and classes 
"(a) In any case in which the Postal Rate Commission fails to 
transmit a recommended decision on a change in rates of postage or in 
fees for postal services to the Governors in accordance with section 
3624(c) of this title, the Postal Service may establish temporary 
changes in rates of postage and in fees for postal services in accordance 
with the proposed changes under consideration by the Commission. 
Such temporary changes may take effect upon such date as the Postal 
Service may determine, except that such temporary changes may take 
effect only after 10 days' notice in the Federal Register. 
"(b) Any temporary rate or fee established by the Postal Service 
under subsection (a) of this section shall be in accordance with the 
policies of this title and shall not exceed such amount as may be 
necessary for sufficient revenues to assure that the total estimated 
income, including appropriations, of the Postal Service shall, to the 
extent practicable, be equal to the total estimated costs of the Postal 
Service. 
"(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this sec-
tion, the Postal Service may not establish any temporary rate for a 
class of mail or any temporary fee for a postal service which is more 
than the permanent rate or fee requested for such class or postal 
service by the Postal Service under section 3622 of this title. 
"(d) Any temporary change in rates of postage or in fees for postal 
services made by the Postal Service under this section shall remain 
in effect no longer than 150 days after the date on which the Commis-
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
90 STAT. 1307 
si on transmits its recommended decision to the Governors under 
section 3624(d) of this title, unless such temporary change is termi-
nated by the Governors before the expiration of such period. 
"(e) If the Postal Rate Commission does not transmit to the 
Governors within 90 days after the Postal Service has submitted, or 
within 30 days after the Postal Service has resubmitted, to the Com-
mission a request for a recommended decision on a change in the mail 
classification schedule (after such schedule is established under section 
3623 of this title), the Postal Service, upon 10 days' notice in the 
Federal Register, may place into effect temporary changes in the mail 
classification schedule in accordance with proposed changes under 
consideration by the Commission. Any temporary change shall be 
effective for a period ending not later than 30 days after the Com-
mission has transmitted its recommended decision to the Governors. 
"(f) If, under section 3628 of this title, a court orders a matter 
returned to the Commission for further consideration, the Postal 
Service, with the consent of the Commission, may place into effect 
temporary changes in rates of postage, and fees for postal services, or 
in the mail classification schedule.". 
(b) (1) The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section shall 
not apply to any action or proceeding with respect to the recommended 
decision of the Postal Rate Connnission relating to proposed 
changes in rates of postage and in fees for postal services requested on 
September 18, 1975, by the United States Postal Service in a request 
which bears, or which at any time has been included under. Postal 
Rate Commission Docket Number R76-1. 
(2) The provisions of section 3641 of title 39, United States Code, 
as such provisions were in effect on the day before the date of the 
enactment of this Act, shall apply to any temporary rate or fee 
established by the Postal Service pursuant to its request to the Postal 
Rate Commission, dated September 18, 1975, for a recommended 
decision, bearing Docket Number R76-1. 
SEC. 7. (a) (1) There is hereby established the Commission on Postal 
Service (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Commission"). 
The Commission shall be composed of 7 members, to be selected as 
follows: 
(A) 3 appointed by the President of the United States, of whom 
one shall be appointed as chairman; 
(B) 2 appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, of 
whom one shall be an individual who is a member of the work 
force of the United States Postal Service; and 
(C) 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, of w^hom one shall be an individual who is a member of the 
work force of the United States Postal Service. 
The Postmaster General of the United States and the Chairman of the 
Postal Rate Commission shall serve as ex officio members of the Com-
mission, without the right to vote. 
(2) The members of the Commission shall be appointed within 15 
days following the date of the enactment of this Act. In the event that 
all of the members of the Commission have not been appointed at the 
close of such 15-day period, a majority of the members appointed to 
the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business 
by the Commission. 
(3) Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but 
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. 
39 use 3624. 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
39 use 3623. 
39 use 3628. 
39 use 3641 
note. 
eommission on 
Postal Service. 
Establishment. 
39 use 3661 
note. 
Membership. 
Vacancies. 
90 STAT. 1308 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
Study, 
recommendation. 
Public service, 
costs and 
39 use 101 
et seq. 
Ratemaking. 
Service levels, 
(b) The Commission shall identify and study the problems facing 
the United States Postal Service and recommend actions to be taken 
to resolve those problems. The Commission shall not be limited to any 
particular subject areas for consideration but the Commission— 
(1) shall identify and study the public service aspects of the 
United States Postal Service, shall recommend to what extent and 
by what means such aspects may be defined and costs thereof rea-
sonably estimated, and shall, insofar as practicable, identify any 
difference between— 
(A) the costs that the Postal Service should reasonably be 
expected to incur in providing postal services in accordance 
with the policies of title 39, United States Code, and 
(B) the revenues that the Postal Service may reasonably be 
expected to receive from rates and fees for postal services, 
with due consideration to the fact that demands for postal 
services may be reflected by changes in the levels of such rates 
and fees; 
(2) shall determine the extent to which the public service 
aspects of the Postal Service shall be supported by appropriations 
and shall recommend a plan for such appropriations with due con-
sideration being given to— 
(A) the economic and social benefits of the postal system 
to the user and recipient of the mail, 
(B) the relative economic ability of the users of various 
classes of mail to absorb the costs of the postal system, 
(C) the extent to which the costs of maintaining a system 
which would provide a reasonable degree of regular postal 
services to the entire public without regard to individual 
usage, and the degree to which such costs should be borne by 
the public generally rather than by mail users in particular, 
(D) the relative economic and social benefits of other uses 
of private and public funds, and 
(E) the need of the Postal Service for adequate and 
dependable funding and for systematic planning and rate-
making to provide efficient and economical postal services in 
accordance with the policies of title 39, United States Code; 
(3) shall study the desirability and feasibility of— 
{A.) the ratemaking procedures established under title 39, 
United States Code, particularly the functions and responsi-
bilities of the Postal Eate Commission, and shall develop 
recommendations for more expeditious and economical pro-
cedures that are responsive to the needs of the Postal Service 
and the public, including, if the Commission recommends the 
abolition of the Postal Rate Commission, a method of assur-
ing that changes in postal rates shall be reviewed independ-
ently outside the Postal Service, 
(B) a system in which changes in postal rates shall not 
exceed changes in consumer prices unless greater changes in 
such rates are approved by a body independent of the Postal 
Service, 
(C) the ratemaking criteria established by section 3622(b) 
of title 39, United States Code, and 
(D) a statutory requirement for cost attributions to par-
' 
ticular classes of mail or types of mail service; 
(4) shall review the appropriateness of current and future serv-
ice levels and the extent to which, if any, such levels should be 
supported by appropriations; and 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
90 STAT. 1309 
(5) shall review the long range impact of new electronic fund 
transfers and communication techniques, the effect of such trans-
fers and techniques on mail volumes and revenues of the Postal 
Service, and the feasibility of the Postal Service operating such 
systems, 
(c) (1) For purposes of carrying out its functions under this sec-
tion, the Commission may sit and act at such times and places and 
receive such evidence and testimony as it considers advisable. 
(2) The Commission may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States information and assistance necessary to 
carry out its duties under this section. Each department or agency is 
authorized and directed, to the extent permitted by law and within 
the limits of available funds, to furnish information and assistance to 
the Commission. 
(3) When so authorized by the Commission, any member or agent 
of the Commission may take any action which the Commission is 
authorized to take by this section. 
(4) All meetings, hearings, conferences, or other proceedings of 
the Commission shall be open to the chairmen of the appropriate com-
mittees of the Congress or their designees and reasonable notice of 
such meetings or hearings shall be given to such chairmen or their 
designees. 
(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), members of the Com-
mission each shall receive as compensation the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay in effect for Grade GS-18 for each day 
(including traveltime) during which they are engaged in the actual 
performance of duties vested in the Commission. 
(2) Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or 
employees of the United States shall receive no additional pay on 
account of their service on the Conunission. 
(8) While away from their homes or regular places of business in 
the performance of service for the Commission, members of the Com-
mission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently 
in the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(e) The Commission may appoint and fix the compensation of such 
personnel as it considers advisable without regard to the provisions 
of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the com-
petitive service, and such personnel may be paid without regard to 
the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such 
title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, but at 
a rate not to exceed the maximum rate authorized by the General 
Schedule. The Commission may procure the services of experts and 
consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States 
Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equiva-
lent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for the maximum rate 
authorized by the General Schedule. 
(f) (1) The Commission shall transmit to tlie President and to each 
House of the Congress a final report containing a detailed statement of 
its findings and recommendations, together with any individual views, 
on or before March 15,1977. 
(2) The Commission shall not be required to obtain the clearance 
of any Federal agency before the transmittal of its report. 
^ (g) The Commission shall cease to exist 60 days after the transmis-
sion of its final report under subsection (f) of this section and all 
offices and employment under it shall then expire. 
Electronic fund 
transfers and 
communication 
techniques, 
impact review. 
Proceedings, 
notice to 
congressional 
committee 
chairmen. 
Compensation. 
5 u s e 5332 note. 
Travel 
expenses. 
Compensation. 
5 u s e 5101 et 
seq., 5332 et seq. 
Experts and 
consultants. 
Report, 
transmittal to 
President and 
Congress. 
Expiration date. 
90 STAT. 1310 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Post offices, 
closing or 
consolidation. 
Notice. 
Appeal. 
Review. 
(h) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Postal Service 
Fund established under section 2003 of title 39, United States Code, 
without fiscal year limitation, such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out the provisions of this section. Expenses incurred by the Commis-
sion shall be paid out of the Postal Service Fund. 
SEC. 8. Section 3623(b) of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
by striking out "Postal Service" the second place it appears therein 
and inserting in lieu thereof "Governors". 
SEC. 9. (a) Section 404 of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting "(a)" immediately before "Without" and by adding at 
the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(b) (1) The Postal Service, prior to making a determination under 
subsection (a) (3) of this section as to the necessity for the closing or 
consolidation of any post office, shall provide adequate notice of its 
intention to close or consolidate such post office at least 60 days prior 
to the proposed date of such closing or consolidation to persons served 
by such post office to ensure that such persons will have an opportunity 
to present their views. 
"(2) The Popta] Service, in making a determination whether or not 
to close or consolidate a post office, shall consider— 
"(A) the effect of such closing or consolidation on the com-
munity served by such post office; 
"(B) the effect of such closing or consolidation on employees of 
the Postal Service employed at such office; 
"(C) whether such closing or consolidation is consistent with 
the policy of the Government, as stated in section 101(b) of this 
title, that the Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of 
effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, 
and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining; 
"(D) the economic savings to the Postal Service resulting from 
such closing or consolidation; and 
"(E) such other factors as the Postal Service determines are 
necessary. 
"(3) Any determination of the Postal Service to close or consolidate 
a post office shall be in writing and shall include the findings of the 
Postal Service with respect to the considerations required to be made 
under paragraph (2) of this subsection. Such determination and find-
ing shall be made available to persons served by such post office. 
" (4) The Postal Service shall take no action to close or consolidate 
a po?t office until 60 days after its written determination is made avail-
able to persons served by such post office. 
"(5) A determination of the Postal Service to close or consolidate 
any post office may be appealed by any person served by such office 
to the Postal Rate Commission within 30 days after such determina-
tion is made available to such person under paragraph (3). The Com-
mission shall review such determination on the basis of the record 
before the Postal Service in the making of such determination. The 
Commission shall make a determination based upon such review no 
later than 120 days after receiving any appeal under this paragraph. 
The Commission shall set aside any determination, findings, and con-
clusions found to be— 
"(A) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise 
not in accordance with the law; 
"(B) without observance of procedure required by law; or 
"(C) unsupported by substantial evidence on the record. 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
90 STAT. 1311 
Effective date. 
39 u s e 404 note. 
Rates and fees. 
Reduced rates. 
Definitions. 
The Commission may affirm the determination of the Postal Service 
or order that the entire matter be returned for further consideration, 
but the Commission may not modify the determination of the Postal 
Service. The Commission may suspend the effectiveness of the deter-
mination of the Postal Service until the final disposition of the appeal. 
The provisions of section 556, section 557, and chapter 7 of title 5 5 USC 556, 557, 
shall not apply to any review carried out by the Commission under ^^l et seq. 
this paragraph.". 
(b) The amendments made by subsection (a) of this section shall 
take effect on the day after the date on which the Commission on 
Postal Service transmits its final report under section 7(f) (1) of this 
Act. 
SJEC. 10. Section 3622(b) of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (7), by redesignating 
paragraph (8) as paragraph (9), and by inserting immediately after 
paragraph (7) the following new paragraph: 
"(8) the educational, cultural, scientific, and informational 
value to the recipient of mail matter; and". 
SEC. 11. Section 3626 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting " (a)" immediately before "If the rates" and by adding at the 
end thereof the following new subsections: 
"(b) (1) For the purposes of this title, the term 'periodical publica-
tions', as used in former section 4351 of this title, includes (A) any 
catalog or other course listing, including mail announcements of legal 
texts which are part of post-bar admission education issued by any 
institution of higher education or by a nonprofit organization engaged 
in continuing legal education; and (B) any looseleaf page or report 
(including any index, instruction for filing, table, or sectional identi-
fier which is an integral part of such report) which is designed as part 
of a looseleaf reporting service concerning developments in the law or 
public policy. 
"(2) Any material described in paragraph (1) of this subsection 
shall qualify to be entered and mailed as second class mail in accord-
ance with the applicable provisions of former section 4352 through 
former section 4357 of this title. 
"(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'institution of 
hiafher education' has the meaning civen it by section 1201(a) of the 
Hiirher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141 (a)). 
"(c) In the administration of this section, one conservation publica-
tion published by an agency of a State which is responsible for manage-
ment and conservation of the fish or wildlife resources of such State 
shall be considered a publication of a qualified nonprofit organization 
which qualifies for rates of postage under former section 4358(d) of 
this title. 
" (d) (1) For purposes of this title, the term 'agricultural', as used in 
former sections 4358(j) (2), 4452(d), and 4554(b) (1) (B) of this title, 
includes the art or science of cultivating land, harvesting crops or 
marine resources, or raising of livestock. 
"(2) In the administration of this section, and for purposes of 
former sections 4358(j) (2), 4452(d), and 4554(b) (1) (B) of this title, 
agricultural organizations or associations shall include any organiza-
tion or association which collects and disseminates information or 
materials relating to agricultural pursuits.". 
RQ 1Q/1 n
7a
r.»
1
BR
90 STAT. 1312 
PUBLIC LAW 94-421—SEPT. 24, 1976 
Books and films. Sjio. 12. Section 3683 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting "(a)" immediately before "Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision" and by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(b) The rates for mail matter specified in former section 4554(a) 
39 use 4554. 
(1) or 4554(b) (2) (A) of this title, when mailed from a publisher or a 
distributor to a school, college, university, or library, shall be the rate 
currently in effect for such mail matter under the provisions of former 
section 4554 (b) (1) of this title.". 
Approved September 24, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 94-391 (Comm. on Post Office and Civil Service) and No. 
94-1444 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORT No. 94-966 (Comm. on Post Office and Civil Service). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 121 (1975): Sept. 29, Oct. 30. considered and passed House. 
Vol. 122 (1976): Aug. 10, 23, 24, considered and passed Senate, amended. , 
Aug. 31, Senate agreed to conference report. 
Sept. 10, House agreed to conference report. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS: 
Vol. 12, No. 39 (1976): Sept. 24, Presidential statement.