zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Veterans Stamp to Honor American Veterans Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide for the issuance and sale of a veterans health care stamp to help fund veterans health care, including new shelters, improved medical facilities, and medical and prescription assistance.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Allows the United States Postal Service (USPS) to accept monetary donations for the funding of plaques in connection with the commemorative designation of postal facilities. Requires the USPS to provide for a plaque after a law has been enacted for such designation and sufficient amounts have been received. Allows, with the donor's consent, use of amounts received in excess of those needed for funding a plaque for any other such designated facility. Prohibits construing this Act to: (1) affect the authority of the USPS regarding requirements concerning the design, placement, and limitation on costs relating to commemorative plaques, so long as the requirements are applied uniformly; or (2) limit, supersede, or render inapplicable any other authority or duty of the USPS regarding the commemorative designation of a facility or the funding, commissioning, or installation of a plaque in connection with such a designation.

Date: 2009-07-09
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Makes the results of an AMP study (an area mail processing study relating to consolidating the operations of two or more postal facilities) noncognizable for any purpose unless specified time limit and notice requirements are met. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to ensure that no reduction in the workforce of, and no removal of equipment from, any postal facility occurs while an AMP study regarding that facility is pending. Applies this Act to AMP studies started on or after enactment and to studies pending at enactment of this Act.

Date: 2009-07-09
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Grants to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Commerce similar authority to allow members of the Public Health Service and of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps, respectively, to transfer unused benefits under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program to family members. (Currently, this benefits transfer option applies only to the Secretary of Defense [DOD] and members of the Armed Forces.) Requires such personnel, at the time their benefits transfer request is approved, to have completed: (1) six years of service in the Public Health Service or NOAA Corps and agreed to serve at least four more; or (2) the years of service determined by the appropriate Secretary. Authorizes the transfer to family members of up to 36 months of unused post-9/11 educational assistance, although the appropriate Secretary may limit such transfer to as little as 18 months of assistance.

Date: 2009-09-25
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Education
Electronic Duck Stamp Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005 to extend the electronic duck stamp pilot program for two years.

Date: 2009-10-13
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Animals
Makes procedures governing the closure or consolidation of postal branches, stations, or other facilities the same as those applicable to post offices.

Date: 2010-02-04
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Service Electric Motor Vehicle Act - Directs the Postmaster General to: (1) replace at least 10% of the gasoline-powered motor vehicles in the Postal fleet with electric motor vehicles manufactured in the United States during each year in the five-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act; (2) ensure that at least 75% of the Postal fleet is comprised of such electric motor vehicles by the end of such five-year period; (3) ensure that manufacturers of such electric motor vehicles solicit competitive bids for electric drive components and storage devices from domestic manufacturers that participate in the Department of Energy's Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative (or successor program); and (4) report on expenditures made, savings realized, and revenues received by the Postal Service by implementing this Act.

Date: 2010-02-26
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to designate a single, unique zip code applicable to the area encompassing only Flanders, New York.

Date: 2010-03-02
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Declares that any federal employees furloughed as a result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund after 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2010, through March 2, 2010, shall be compensated for the period of that lapse at their standard rates of compensation. Ratifies and approves all actions taken by federal employees, contractors, and grantees during that period of lapse to: (1) maintain the essential level of government operations, services, and activities to protect life and property; and (2) bring about orderly termination of government functions. Requires that funds used by the Secretary of Transportation to compensate such employees be derived from funds previously authorized out of the Highway Trust Fund and made available or limited to the Department of Transportation by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010. Deems this Act to be a section of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the last amendment to such Resolution.

Date: 2010-03-09
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 - Requires the United States Postal Service to issue and sell, at a premium, a Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp. Requires proceeds from the sale of such stamp to be transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the operations of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Prohibits such proceeds from being taken into account in any decision relating to the level of appropriations or other federal funding to be furnished to the EPA or such Initiative. Requires the stamp to: (1) be made available to the public for at least five years; and (2) depict images of the five Great Lakes.

Date: 2010-03-18
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Honesty in Postal Manager Contracts Act - Makes it the policy of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to ensure reasonable and sustainable workloads and schedules for supervisory and management employees. States that any changes in, or termination of, pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for members of the recognized supervisors' organization shall be done in accordance with a specified consultation process.

Date: 2010-03-20
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require the participation of the President, Vice President, each Member of Congress, each political appointee, and each Congressional employee in state Exchanges established for the purchase of health care coverage under such Act.

Date: 2010-03-25
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Makes it the policy of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to ensure reasonable and sustainable workloads and schedules for supervisory and management employees. States that any changes in, or termination of, pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for members of the recognized supervisors' organization shall be done in accordance with a specified consultation process.

Date: 2010-04-13
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
TWIC Delivery Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to deliver biometric transportation security cards by U.S. mail to individuals who reside in a location where the nearest transportation security card enrollment center is not accessible by a state or federal road or is more than 100 miles away.

Date: 2010-05-05
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Authorizes the Postmaster General to declare up to 12 non-mail delivery days for the Postal Service in each fiscal year. Requires the Postmaster General to submit to the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service a report that lists when each non-mail delivery day will occur. Bars such a declaration from being effective unless the non-mail delivery day occurs on a day that is: (1) other than a Sunday; and (2) not a legal public holiday or any other day declared to be a holiday by federal statute or executive order.

Date: 2010-07-29
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Accountability and Transparency in Ethics Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise post-employment restrictions on former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches. Increases from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by the following individuals with a Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which they served before his or her tenure terminated: (1) former senior and very senior personnel of the executive branch and independent agencies (except for special government employees who serve less that 60 days in the two-year period before termination); (2) former Members of the House of Representatives or elected officers; (3) former elected officers and employees of the Senate; (4) former personal staff of House Members; (5) former employees of House committees or congressional joint committees; (6) House leadership staff; and (7) employees of other legislative offices. Increases from one to two years the lobbying ban on former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches for foreign entities. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit payment of campaign funds, except reimbursements under $500, to immediate family members of candidates. Requires the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to provide an ethics training course to registered lobbyists. Expresses the sense of Congress that any changes to the duties and responsibilities of the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) should strengthen, not undermine, its powers to further improve accountability and transparency in Congress. Grants subpoena power to the OCE board to carry out its duties.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Makes it the policy of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to ensure reasonable and sustainable workloads and schedules for supervisory and management employees. States that any changes in, or termination of, pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for members of the recognized supervisors' organization shall be done in accordance with a specified consultation process.

Date: 2010-03-19
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Health Reform Accountability Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require the participation of the President, Vice President, each Member of Congress, each political appointee, and each Congressional employee in state Exchanges established for the purchase of health care coverage under such Act.

Date: 2010-03-25
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the "First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building."

Date: 2010-07-15
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
U.S. Postal Service Improvements Act of 2010 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to make a determination or redetermination of postal surplus or supplemental liability consistent with the report submitted by the Postal Regulatory Commission to the United States Postal Service (USPS) and Congress on June 29, 2010. Requires OPM to redetermine the postal surplus or supplemental liability as of the close of FY2010 and for each year thereafter through FY2043. Provides that if the result for a fiscal year is a surplus, that amount shall remain in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund until distribution is authorized as follows:(1) if there is a surplus as of the close of FY2010-FY2016, such amount or any part of it may be transferred to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund; (2) if there is a surplus as of the close of FY2017 and each year thereafter, such amount or any part of it may be transferred to such Fund to pay any liability of such Fund; and (3) if all liability to such Fund is paid, amounts may be transferred to the Employees' Compensation Fund or to USPS for repayment of any obligation issued by it. Provides procedures for the transfer of such amounts. Authorizes arbitration boards to consider the financial condition of USPS in rendering decisions. Directs: (1) USPS and the Commission to coordinate actions to identify ways to increase the use of negotiated service agreements for market dominant products by USPS; (2) the Postmaster General to submit a comprehensive strategic plan for guiding area and district field office structure decisions and a plan on the co-location of post offices at retail facilities; and (3) the Commission to submit annual reports on the fiscal stability of the U.S. mailing industry. Establishes in USPS and the Commission an advocate for competition, who shall be responsible for promoting full and open competition, promoting the acquisition of commercial items, and challenging barriers to such acquisition. Directs USPS and the Commission: (1) to issue a policy on contracting officer delegations of authority; (2) to make any delegation of authority outside the functional contracting unit for the procurement of goods or services which exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold available on its website; and (3) within a specified after the award of any noncompetitive contract which exceeds such threshold, to make publicly available the documents containing its justification and approval. Sets forth provisions regarding the review of ethical issues, a ban on certain contracts, and contract voidance and recovery of funds in specified circumstances. Provides for the conversion of retirement eligible postal and federal employees on workers compensation to retirement when they reach retirement age, subject to specified requirements.

Date: 2010-12-02
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Sudan Cessation of Support for the Lord's Resistance Army Certification Act of 2011 - Provides for the continuation of restrictions against the Republic of Sudan as a state sponsor of terror unless the President certifies to Congress that Sudan is no longer engaged in training, harboring, supplying, financing, or supporting the Lord's Resistance Army, its leader Joseph Kony, or his top commanders.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: International affairs
Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act - Urges the Postal Service to consider: (1) a simplified rate structure for election ballots sent by voters; (2) creating a Forever Box for customers to mail parcels of a certain size, analogous to the Forever Stamp; and (3) establishing and marketing packages of postal services and products. Requires the Postal Service to implement a plan to replace or convert, by January 1, 2017, 2,000 gasoline-powered delivery vehicles with electric vehicles manufactured in the United States. Authorizes the Post Service to: (1) borrow money and issue obligations as necessary to carry out such plan or to help finance energy efficiency projects for operations and facilities; and (2) use its capabilities, including its vehicles, to provide services, other than postal services, to generate revenue if providing such service is consistent with the public interest. Requires the Postal Service to submit a plan on the co-location of post offices at retail facilities while ensuring continued service to small communities and rural areas. Allows wine or malt beverages to be mailed by a licensed winery or brewery for direct delivery by the Postal Service to an addressee who is at least 21 years of age. Requires the Postal Service to study and report on: (1) ways to promote the use of transpromotional mailings (from more than one source) and consolidated mailings (from more than one agency), and (2) the costs to executive agencies of sending mail by using the Postal Service compared to other carriers. Authorizes the Postal Service to: (1) enter arrangements whereby the sender may defer payment of postage until the item has been delivered; (2) promote the creation of mailing pools to allow members to take advantage of postage rates applicable to bulk mailings and other discounts; and (3) carry out a pilot program to test an integrated electronic system for the receipt, storage, transport, and delivery of mail directed to physical addresses and post office boxes. Establishes an advocate for competition in the Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission. Requires the Postmaster General and the Commission to issue a policy on contracting officer delegations of authority. Sets forth provisions concerning postal contracts, including requirements for: (1) posting justifications of noncompetitive contracts, and (2) a review of ethical issues relating to proposed contracts. Requires the Postal Service to: (1) publish notice and provide a period for public comment before adding, eliminating, or modifying any mailing rules; and (2) report on implementing special classifications and service agreements in connection with the establishment and operation of a system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products. Requires the Postal Service and the Commission to report on creating a not-for-profit venture capital program to help the Postal Service identify and develop electronic communication products that would increase net revenue.

Date: 2011-03-30
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011 - Prescribes the "average pay" and the appropriate percentage thereof to be used in determining annuities for civilian employment with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for purposes of provisions relating to future benefits attributable to such employment in order to calculate the amount of any USPS surplus or supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement System. Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM): (1) within six months after enactment of this Act, to determine (or, if applicable, redetermine) the amount of such surplus or liability as of the close of the most recently ending fiscal year using the methodology required under this Act; and (2) if the result is a surplus, to transfer the surplus amount to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund within 15 days after the determination of a surplus. Provides for an alternate determination of an USPS surplus or supplemental liability for FY2016-FY2020. Requires transfer of certain surplus postal retirement contributions in FY2011 to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund or the Employees' Compensation Fund under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Expresses the intent of Congress that this Act shall apply to allocations of past, present, and future benefit liabilities between the USPS and the Treasury.

Date: 2011-04-04
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Post Office Transparency Act - Makes procedures governing the closure or consolidation of postal branches, stations, or other facilities the same as those applicable to post offices.

Date: 2011-05-26
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Wildlife Refuge System Conservation Semipostal Stamp Act of 2011- Directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to issue and sell, at a premium, a Wildlife Refuge System Conservation Semipostal Stamp. Requires the use of such stamp to be voluntary on the part of postal patrons. Requires proceeds from the sale of the semipostal stamp to be transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to help fund the maintenance backlog and operational shortfall of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Prohibits such proceeds from being taken into account in any decision relating to the level of appropriations or other federal funding to be furnished to the USFWS or allocated to the System. Requires the stamp to be made available to the public for at least two years.

Date: 2011-06-16
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
USPS Retiree Health Benefits Prepayment Extension Act of 2011 - Extends from September 30, 2011, until December 31, 2011, the deadline for the required $5.5 billion payment into the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

Date: 2011-09-12
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Fair and Equitable Postal Service Access Act - Expands the criteria that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) must consider in determining whether to close or consolidate a post office to include: (1) whether such closing or consolidation will decrease access to postal or nonpostal services by individuals who are elderly, economically disadvantaged, limited in mobility, or without reliable and affordable Internet access; and (2) during the previous five years, the number of, and revenue derived from, money-order transactions, the volume of processed international mail, and the number of customers served at such post office. Prohibits the USPS from closing or consolidating a post office if it would result in a disproportionate, unreasonable, or undue burden on a class of individuals who are elderly, economically disadvantaged, limited in mobility, or without reliable and affordable Internet access. Applies this Act to any post office: (1) determined necessary for closing or consolidation under existing criteria, or (2) included in a proposal to change the nature of postal services on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis and for which the USPS has requested a related advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Date: 2011-09-15
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Innovate to Deliver Act of 2011 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service (USPS) to: (1) provide nonpostal services (e.g., check-cashing services, warehousing, public internet access services) using USPS infrastructure in a manner consistent with the public interest, and (2) invest excess moneys of the Competitive Products Fund. Requires the USPS Board of Governors to ensure that the rates and fees charged by USPS are at least equal to the total costs for providing postal services. Repeals the requirement for uniform postal rates for books, films, and other materials. Establishes in USPS the position of the Chief Innovation Officer who shall have proven expertise and success in the areas of innovation, research and development, and marketing. Requires the Postmaster General to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy for maximizing revenues through innovative postal and nonpostal products and services. Requires the use of surplus contributions to the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) in FY2011-FY 2016 for postal employees to encourage early retirement and provide voluntary separation incentive payments. Revises the prepayment schedule for the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund to allow amortization of payments over a longer period. Requires the Comptroller General to report on workforce reduction or realignment methods to align the USPS workforce with its needs.

Date: 2011-09-20
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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.

Date: 2011-09-23
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protecting Our Rural Post Offices Act of 2011 - Prohibits the United States Postal Service (USPS) from closing any post office that does not have another post office within eight miles as measured by public roads with regular year-round access.

Date: 2011-11-04
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Service Protection Act of 2011 - 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 Congress 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.

Date: 2011-12-07
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protecting Rural Post Offices Act of 2011 - Prohibits the United States Postal Service (USPS) from closing any post office which results in more than 10 miles distance (as measured on roads with year-round access) between any 2 post offices.

Date: 2011-12-07
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the "National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office."

Date: 2011-12-07
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Rural Service Preservation Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to continue rural mail delivery at its current level for the five-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act. Limits the number of buy-outs offered to employees who work in rural post offices and the number of rural post offices closed or consolidated to 10% of the total number of postal employee buy-outs and post office closings or consolidations during the five-year period beginning on the enactment date of this Act. Defines "rural post office" as a post office located in an area that has a population not exceeding 10,000, and that is not contiguous or adjacent to a town, village, or city that has a population greater than 150,000 or an urbanized area of such town, village, or city.

Date: 2011-12-20
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protecting Post Offices Act - Eliminates scheduled payments for pre-funding the Retiree Health Benefit Fund by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Recalculates the amounts which USPS is required to pay to such Fund beginning in 2012. Authorizes USPS to provide nonpostal services. Prohibits USPS from closing or consolidating any post office or other postal facility in an area that has a high rate of poverty or unemployment. Grants the Postmaster General authority to regulate rates for market-dominant mail products, except for rate discounts provided to mailers for the presorting, pre-barcoding, handling, or transportation of mail (workshare discounts).

Date: 2012-02-07
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postmark Payment Act of 2012 - 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.

Date: 2012-02-09
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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 Postmaster General to determine annually whether a ZIP code has a high rate of population growth using population data available from the Bureau of the Census.

Date: 2012-03-07
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Executive Accountability Act - Prohibits bonuses or other rewards to the Postmaster General or any other officer of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in a senior executive position in any year in which any postal retail facility or mail processing facility is closed. Repeals exceptions to the limit on total compensation for USPS officers and employees.

Date: 2012-03-27
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Service Accountability Act of 2012 - Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), in making a determination whether to close or consolidate a post office, to consider the economic effects on the community served by such post office. Increases from 60 to 120 days the waiting period during which the USPS is prohibited from taking action to close or consolidate a post office after its written determination is made available to persons served by such post office. Establishes a waiting period and appeal procedures for USPS determinations to close or consolidate mail processing facilities. (Current law addresses such procedures only with respect to post offices.) Permits facility employees or members of the community in which such a facility is located to appeal to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) any USPS determination to close or consolidate a mail processing facility. Requires the USPS to consider, among other factors, whether a closing or consolidation is consistent with the policy to provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining. Specifies, upon an appeal of a USPS determination to close or consolidate a post office or mail processing facility, that the PRC's authority to set aside the USPS determination includes a determination by the PRC that USPS conclusions with respect to specific factors are unsupported by substantial evidence on the record. Prohibits the USPS, if an appeal is filed, from closing or consolidating a post office or mail processing facility without the written concurrence of at least three PRC Commissioners. Requires the USPS, within one year after a post office or mail processing facility is closed or consolidated, to review and make public its findings in regard to the accuracy of its earlier findings and whether substitute services are meeting community needs.

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Victory for Veterans Stamp Act of 2012 - Directs the Postal Service to issue a special stamp, to be called the Victory for Veterans Stamp, at a cost of 25 cents each. Makes such Stamp invalid for postage. 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.

Date: 2012-07-12
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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.

Date: 2012-07-31
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), as an employer, to maintain a workforce of officers and employees necessary to meet its responsibilities with respect to homeland security, including the rapid residential delivery of medical countermeasures in the event of a biohazard attack against the United States, and natural disaster assistance.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Survey Savings Accountability Act - Prohibits an executive agency from providing to an individual compensation that is (1) included with a survey or mailing to encourage the individual to return the survey or mailing, or (2) in exchange for a response to a survey or mailing.

Date: 2012-10-05
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Post Office Consumer Action Group Act or the POCAG Act - Establishes as a nonprofit corporation the Post Office Consumer Action Group (POCAG) to represent and promote the interests of individual residential postal users. Grants POCAG the authority to: (1) intervene and participate in regulatory proceedings of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC); and (2) bring civil actions for the review or enforcement of decisions by USPS, PRC, or other public bodies pertaining to postal matters. Sets forth provisions relating to rights and powers of POCAG, its funding and membership structure, and the powers and duties of its board of directors.

Date: 2012-12-11
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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. Prohibits the USPS from entering into contracts with any corporation not incorporated in the United States. Directs the Postmaster General to report annually to Congress on the nonpostal services provided by the USPS during each preceding year with an analysis of the costs associated with, and the revenues generated by, each nonpostal service.

Date: 2012-12-12
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
TWIC Delivery Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to deliver biometric transportation security cards by U.S. mail to individuals who reside in a location where the nearest transportation security card enrollment center is not accessible by a state or federal road or is more than 100 miles away.

Date: 3/16/2011
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Extends, for four years, the authority of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue a semipostal to contribute to funding for breast cancer research.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Reform Act of 2011 - Amends provisions of federal law relating to the United States Postal Service (USPS) with respect to its reorganization, financial management, and workforce. Commission on Postal Reorganization Act or CPR Act - Establishes the Commission on Postal Reorganization. Requires USPS to develop and submit to the Commission a plan for the closure or consolidation of postal retail facilities, mail processing facilities, and USPS area and district offices. Requires the Commission to transmit such plan to Congress, publish it in the Federal Register, and hold public hearings. Requires USPS to implement the closure or consolidation of postal facilities and offices recommended by the Commission unless Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the recommendations of the Commission. Authorizes USPS to provide for five-day delivery of mail and make adjustments in the rural delivery of mail. Establishes the Postal Service Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority. Requires the USPS to submit to the Authority a financial plan and budget for each year that USPS is in a control period (a period which begins when the USPS has been in default with respect to any loans, bonds, notes, or other form of borrowing for at least 30 days). Grants certain powers to the Authority to act on behalf of USPS during a control period, including the power to renegotiate contracts and to submit recommendations to ensure compliance with USPS financial plans and budgets. Provides for the termination of a control period, subject to congressional approval. Revises provisions relating to the USPS workforce, including regarding: (1) redetermination of pay comparability, (2) limitations on contributions to life and health insurance plains, and (3) collective bargaining rights. Terminates the postal rate preference for national and state political committees. Reduces rate preferences for advertising by nonprofit organizations. Sets forth provisions for contracting of postal services, including the establishment of an advocate for competition. Requires the Postal Regulatory Commission and USPS to make noncompetitive purchase requests for any noncompetitive award of a postal contract publicly available on the Internet. Sets forth procedures for identifying and resolving ethical issues in the contracting process.

Date: 2011-09-23
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protecting Rural Post Offices Act of 2011 - Prohibits the United States Postal Service (USPS) from closing any post office which results in more than 10 miles distance (as measured on roads with year-round access) between any 2 post offices.

Date: 2011-10-06
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Service Protection Act of 2011 - 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 Congress 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.

Date: 2011-11-10
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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.

Date: 2011-12-16
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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.

Date: 2012-04-26
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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.

Date: 2013-01-15
Topic: Government Operations (Postal Service)
Subject: Government operations and politics