113 HR 630 IH: Postal Service Protection Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Postal Service Protection Act of 2013
.
(b)The table of contents is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Title I—Retirement annuity obligation recalculation and restoration
Sec. 101. Modified methodology.
Sec. 102. Relating to a postal surplus.
Sec. 103. Treatment of certain surplus retirement contributions.
Sec. 104. Elimination of requirement to pre-fund the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.
Sec. 105. Effective date; rule of construction.
Title II—Restrictions on postal facility closures
Sec. 201. Modified procedures.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Title III—Incentives for innovation
Sec. 301. Authority to offer nonpostal services and products.
Sec. 302. Wine and beer shipping.
Sec. 303. Innovation and accountability.
Title IV—Maintaining levels of service
Sec. 401. Six-day delivery.
Sec. 402. Service standards for market-dominant products.
Title V—Elimination of annual limitation on increases in rates for market-dominant products
Sec. 501. Elimination of annual limitation.
<enum>I</enum><header>Retirement annuity obligation recalculation and restoration</header>
<section id="H108E8126D04C48B2BBE74C69F811A886"><enum>101.</enum><header>Modified methodology</header>
<subsection id="H25EA814538CB41D2854172F0C270BF08"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8348">Section 8348(h)</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6D532E7F647F4E488810F6DC1A518359" style="USC">
<paragraph id="H93E3A463CDFF45FE83BB4157A65818B7" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H49A85E4037F7416EB8C066552CC6AE46"><enum>(A)</enum><text>To the extent that a determination under paragraph (1), relating to benefits attributable to civilian employment with the United States Postal Service, is based on a provision of law described in subparagraph (C), the determination shall be made in accordance with that provision and any otherwise applicable provisions of law, subject to the following:</text>
<clause id="H3F66547B3AD941F79ABB31B45756D50A" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The <term>average pay</term> used in the case of any individual shall be a single amount, determined in accordance with section 8331(4), taking into account the rates of basic pay in effect for the individual during the periods of creditable service performed by the individual. Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to permit or require—</text>
<subclause id="H2F3948090C38468BBFAADA89453A565C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>1 determination of average pay with respect to service performed with the United States Postal Service; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H5B683557D35143C580AD750F6FAB4DE2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a separate determination of average pay with respect to service performed with its predecessor entity in function.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HBB3743C2F77D4B5881E721B9AE96585E" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>In determining the portion of an annuity attributable to civilian employment with the United States Postal Service, with respect to any period of employment with the United States Postal Service that follows any other period of employment creditable under section 8332 (without regard to whether the employment was with an entity referred to in clause (i)(II)), the total service of an employee for purposes of any provision of law described in subparagraph (C) shall be the sum of—</text>
<subclause id="HD8AB1892926C4C26A6341CAE907F22FD"><enum>(I)</enum><text>any period of employment with the United States Postal Service; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H8DC7E389FE3F4861A8610A214460F9CA"><enum>(II)</enum><text>any period of employment creditable under section 8332 that precedes the period described in subclause (I).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H71710ABBC0684DCE87B0BB004D6B497A" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HA87B677242704259932ECCEBA1246528"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Office shall determine (or, if applicable, redetermine) the amount of the Postal surplus or supplemental liability as of the close of the fiscal year most recently ending before that date of enactment, in conformance with the methodology required under subparagraph (A).</text></clause>
<clause id="HB049CA9FCC36480D8C7F549567B2F104" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H0D79D7112375498193671E2D1F76DE04"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the result of the determination or redetermination under clause (i) is a surplus, the Office may transfer the amount of the surplus, or any portion of the amount of the surplus, at the request of the United States Postal Service, to—</text>
<item id="HE2C5223BBB5743699C28DAF8DD61C043" indent="up1"><enum>(aa)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under section 8909a; and</text></item>
<item id="H520BEF464BEF42D1BEDC2C74B3454B70" indent="up1"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the Postal Service Fund established under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/2003">section 2003</external-xref> of title 39.</text></item></subclause>
<subclause id="H532345218E2E4A00912DDB83A18C0D60" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a determination or redetermination under clause (i) for a fiscal year is made before a determination under paragraph (2)(B) is made with respect to the fiscal year, the Office may not make a determination under paragraph (2)(B) with respect to the fiscal year.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5928D8A59D29426EB70C186642A9B0CC" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The provisions of law described in this subparagraph are—</text>
<clause id="H1C13F7F7C26E44B49CA5E81EC8A3EBED"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the first sentence of section 8339(a); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H05F1D2B86853453E91273E8B7C9D2B3D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>section 8339(d)(1).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HE2FF1E9FAA1642678E2B880F8DE8B638"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordination provisions</header>
<paragraph id="HFB79A65C94C546E9970A6BAE97F20E39"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Determination of amount payable</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8909a">Section 8909a</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6386B7C0B0FD493B95B385BCE0FF1C42" style="USC">
<subsection id="H5072FEEB75D7471DA2F8D30E9D82E9BB"><enum>(e)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Office shall determine the amount payable by the Postal Service under subsection (d) in any fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 2013, without regard to the requirements under section 8348(h)(4).</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAA7D94D6C8D94CBFB1F3AE762716AD32"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this Act shall affect the amount of any benefits otherwise payable from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to any individual.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC7302C6D0A9747ABBBDB6A5511ED09DC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The heading for <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8909a">section 8909a</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Benefit</header-in-text></quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Benefits</header-in-text></quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A2CF7AF7C5A45809111C76AF7F4E151" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header>Relating to a postal surplus</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8348">Section 8348(h)(2)(C)</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H1F060580789A47EEB8FE051B716839DF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>2021,</quote> after <quote>2015,</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H88CB7405195148AD89173DD8031BF3D0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>if the result is</quote> and all that follows through <quote>terminated.</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H75BDCD98E8BD43A5BBC1647262B012F0" style="OLC"><text>if the result is a surplus—</text>
<clause id="H0D07C5C5A0074059900B0E5DA9C2AF59" indent="up2"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">that amount, or any portion of that amount, may be transferred at the request of the United States Postal Service to—</text>
<subclause id="H5997E8430EF44A5EBA32D156EC436468"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H838D8206B18F46D3A6A5B339FE756D02"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the Postal Service Fund established under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/2003">section 2003</external-xref> of title 39; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H4233B4B3F0874CDAA78A79AE1008A5C7" indent="up2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any prior amortization schedule for payments shall be terminated.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HC4959C15D9864EE2807CB87D8A9754B2" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header>Treatment of certain surplus retirement contributions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8423">Section 8423(b)</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H0CF0954A736A432DB13E54B1956C5085"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H93419D45DDF24D1A85772E3E066DDAE3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD58DCE298E8D46E180DAF9AEE3EECD04" style="USC">
<paragraph id="H8CB6A7BCEA954DB4AC1BB772E5BA3BEC" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>If, for fiscal year 2010, the amount computed under paragraph (1)(B) is less than zero (in this section referred to as <term>surplus postal contributions</term>), the amount of the surplus postal contributions, or any portion of the amount, may be transferred at the request of the United States Postal Service to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HAD220A02042749249C0F0374A4625A6B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under section 8909a;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4E44B550B40446CC9FB0625B57896E14"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Postal Service Fund established under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/2003">section 2003</external-xref> of title 39;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H88D32551B72544E6BDEAC70FB46915F6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Employees’ Compensation Fund established under section 8147; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3C8451F6788F49F89FD44809625ECFF4"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the United States Postal Service for the repayment of any obligation issued under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/2005">section 2005</external-xref> of title 39.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HCBF23DF2AC9D4B1E8F22077A2877FE72"><enum>104.</enum><header>Elimination of requirement to pre-fund the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund</header>
<subsection id="H363061C443C94884A34A92186472E496"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8909a">Section 8909a</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H1C646D730FDA4CEBA299DDF72AAAE1D3"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (d)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB23AFE96CF1E46B78D9FFBEFD0E76931"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraph (3); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC8AE8A13175A4BFFA2930BE879B5C455"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H025971E1CF5344E0BAB1CAE86C1B52C9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at after subsection (e) (as added by section 101(b)(1)) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFBDD3AA8598746A885800241A76B7BA5" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H7829CB29644F41B59E1F6E48499840D8"><enum>(f)</enum><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Postal Service to pay any amount into the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under section 8909a.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H66F73ACB6541402AA8080961B6F3BE27"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendment</header><text>Section 803(b)(1)(A) of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8909a">5 U.S.C. 8909a</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>8909a(d)(5)</quote> and inserting <quote>8909a(d)(4)</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H290012C4690B4E2B80E87063D4213C3D"><enum>105.</enum><header>Effective date; rule of construction</header>
<subsection id="H0174295C0BFC4C1ABC92687ADFB928B4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HFCCE69D5342348F18AE8C89FE00FE20B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Intent of Congress</header><text>It is the intent of Congress that this title apply with respect to the allocation of past, present, and future benefit liabilities between the United States Postal Service and the Treasury of the United States.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H6EA372CCDBF54AFB8A53587F88179D72"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to prohibit the Postal Service from paying any amount of surplus contributions to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Federal Employees’ Retirement System into—</text>
<paragraph id="H53614A224297485BA11D10BBE45EDF18"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/8909a">section 8909a</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7CE151D9775A4B389A7B711DBD320F01"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Postal Service Fund established under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/2003">section 2003</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Restrictions on postal facility closures</header>
<section id="H832B3D580EB94344BB0A436BA30B3608"><enum>201.</enum><header>Modified procedures</header>
<subsection id="HB834DCA2130946F594C3ACC9845472C6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/404">Section 404(d)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>(d)(1)</quote> and all that follows through paragraph (4) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8F69818CB9104B52BDB4CA2C9AAE8CE9" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H5FEF126A26BA46C5AC50BC1FA7C6C402"><enum>(d)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HD6C349D32C96403794DADA67CB6011FF"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Before making a determination under subsection (a)(3) to close or consolidate a postal facility, the Postal Service shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H33AC0718900E466698E9E772C0B8E9D5" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">conduct an investigation to assess the need for the proposed closure or consolidation; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0FBA25DF88D94B7F9BBB6D711F31A65E" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure that each person served by the postal facility has an opportunity to present views by providing appropriate notice—</text>
<clause id="H37E5D6CEECEE4818AE85D112FF64E828"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to each person by mail; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HED24961C20D143B2930A574D6466D91E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which each person resides.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC222EF4F3AA8474288F7106713B97353" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In conducting an investigation under paragraph (1)(A) and determining whether to close or consolidate a postal facility under subsection (a)(3), the Postal Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE151C8C4A4C642F9821791E26BD26AA9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall consider—</text>
<clause id="H5B7412E758F948B78D60E1E60E043DEC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the effect the closing or consolidation would have on the community served by the postal facility;</text></clause>
<clause id="H5AB812908AE546F586AACB764A59E12A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the effect the closing or consolidation would have on employees of the Postal Service employed at the postal facility; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H1919AED5115D44CDBCB5417B42A818D2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>whether the closing or consolidation would be consistent with the policy of the Government under section 101(b), that the Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where postal facilities are not self-sustaining; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H49F3144F5AF7452893934B1D8081D738"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may not consider compliance with any provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/651">29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD96D8AE151C84756AECBA41219422166" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HF768F51019384A01B84BB09573637402"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (1), the Postal Service shall make a decision, in writing, whether to proceed with the proposal to close or consolidate a postal facility, which shall include the findings of the Postal Service with respect to each factor specified in paragraph (2)(A).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H72695E0484264EE2B937F1D20D47A9CB" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Not later than 90 days before the Postal Service makes a final determination under this subsection, the Postal Service shall—</text>
<clause id="H9FADA12B43974FD3AD7A7B5B283F76DC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>post notice of the decision and findings under subparagraph (A) in a prominent place in each postal facility that would be affected by the closing or consolidation; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H276624E5931741C49D156F69CF9C28EB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>send notice of each posting under clause (i) by mail to each person served by the postal facility in which the notice is posted.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA73A7FF1749746EB88FB73565A643A30" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Notice under subparagraph (B) shall include—</text>
<clause id="HD0832E96EFB449E399F29DB962CBA11C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a statement as follows: <quote>This is notice of a proposal to _____ this postal facility. A final determination will not be made before the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date on which this notice is first posted.</quote>, with the blank space being filled in with <quote>close</quote> or <quote>consolidate</quote> (whichever is appropriate), and with instructions for how any interested person may submit comments;</text></clause>
<clause id="H2F6365C209DF4625A64EAF62637B61FA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a brief summary of the findings of the Postal Service with respect to the factors specified in paragraph (2)(A); and</text></clause>
<clause id="HD5686B2B4BE24BDDA7A1AC25687D3200"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the amount of cost savings the Postal Service estimates the Postal Service will realize from the closing or consolidation, in the first year following the date of the closing or consolidation, together with an explanation of the assumptions and methodologies used in making the estimate.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H06B1D275A35343BDAF15B6F7B28D8DB7" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall make a final determination to close or consolidate a postal facility in writing after taking into consideration any comments received during the 90-day period described under paragraph (3). The Postal Service shall take no action to close or consolidate a postal facility before the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Postal Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0DFDF76C9CC642CBA150C14EC5D4E631"><enum>(A)</enum><text>posts a copy of the final determination in a prominent location in each affected postal facility; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB238B5DA8BE64C58856855BBBDACDDF8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>sends to each person served by the postal facility—</text>
<clause id="H023214DDC32941898FF782AE3140E821"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a notice of the determination; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H551073D846624230B3CDEC830B180911"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>notice of any appeal rights available with respect to the determination.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H110A58ADA1A54E7A9569704F2559C851"><enum>(b)</enum><header>De novo review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/404">Section 404(d)(5)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HD32390EFF7834CB1AE985B78A5A26C58"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>post office</quote> and inserting <quote>postal facility</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8A39CBE3E2AC4DB18EA09BC1F2E04699"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>The Commission shall set aside</quote> and all that follows through <quote>final disposition of the appeal.</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>The Commission shall review de novo the determination of the Postal Service. In conducting a review de novo, the Commission shall consider the factors described in paragraph (2)(A). If the Commission finds fault with a determination of the Postal Service, the Commission shall suspend the effectiveness of the determination of the Postal Service.</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HBB18FA96CFF74894A588144F56266516"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exception; calculation of actual cost savings</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/404">Section 404(d)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAB4C24ED99B44B6797A27B2851803268" style="USC">
<paragraph id="HD55582FCECFB4FE4AD0EBD53208244CB" indent="up1"><enum>(7)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HEA9865745FB1493AB30D1338DE0C140A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Paragraphs (1) through (6) shall not apply in the case of a closing or consolidation which occurs by reason of an emergency suspension, as described in <external-xref legal-doc="regulation" parsable-cite="cfr/39/241.3">section 241.3</external-xref> of title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAF8FE972D57A47DE873F82C35528E454" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For purposes of this paragraph, the term <term>emergency suspension</term> does not, in the case of a leased facility, include the termination or cancellation of the lease by a party other than the Postal Service.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA194A2C10B0241C0B39E26375DE27082" indent="up1"><enum>(8)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H6FA5964DDF324766AD879327941CA308"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of the closing or consolidation of any postal facility occurring after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Inspector General shall determine the amount of the cost savings realized by the Postal Service from the closing or consolidation for the first year following the closing or consolidation.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H96DC066DC09F4E418248AE7235D78720" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Inspector General shall submit to the Postmaster General and to Congress—</text>
<clause id="H5AB6BC08F934428382EFE4D755452074"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a report for each postal facility for which the Inspector made a determination of cost savings under subparagraph (A) during the preceding year that includes—</text>
<subclause id="H5F95452FC0874B4C9AD97E186A990F37"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the amount of the cost savings determined to be realized with respect to each closing or consolidation of a postal facility, together with an explanation of the assumptions and methodologies used in making the determination;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H4D46B0C649D14890AF42AC6A7FA5E223"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a comparison of—</text>
<item id="H9C74EEDFE0CA47758F0CDC3A276DA4F1"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>the cost savings determined by the Inspector General; and</text></item>
<item id="HC09DEB492BE04E7D88E5EFD9320638B8"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the estimates provided by the Postal Service under paragraph (3)(C)(iii); and</text></item></subclause>
<subclause id="H96FEAA574966485A847F935601750C98"><enum>(III)</enum><text>an explanation of the reasons for any differences between the determination of the Inspector General and the estimates of the Postal Service, together with recommendations for any legislation or administrative action that the Inspector General considers appropriate to provide for more accurate estimates; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H7243F324060544A9BDACF420C943D8CF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an annual report with respect to all the postal facilities for which the Inspector made a determination of cost savings under subparagraph (A) that includes the information required under clause (i).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="HFCC077DB604145AA86EB9BE93C9A2E20"><enum>202.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/404">Section 404(d)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, as amended by section 201(c), is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA448221ED7D4441AA41167C022A1F640" style="USC">
<paragraph id="H234CAEFD7DA94FAE8F394E6FFA499218" indent="up1"><enum>(9)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB3C55BB3882E4E12851FED8EF24A4FDD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the term <term>postal facility</term> includes an office, branch, station, or other facility which—</text>
<clause id="H730F0BA0C6AF4C56AF48329E2DA46E81"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is operated by the Postal Service; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H0FC06C14C5CB407CBB6A742B188FB7AF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provides services to persons described in subparagraph (B); and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDF9900426F5C49FDBC103206018828A0"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any reference to the persons served by a postal facility shall include a postal customer receiving mail delivery service from the postal facility, a resident of a ZIP code served by the postal facility, a postal customer having a post office box at the postal facility, and any relevant local government official as defined by the Postal Service by rule.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<enum>III</enum><header>Incentives for innovation</header>
<section id="H8C50E894C1174B6B85B1CDF7B71B33C7"><enum>301.</enum><header>Authority to offer nonpostal services and products</header>
<subsection id="HA8A56A1C0DD6422EBC247F81734C8F29"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Specific power</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/404">Section 404(a)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H9665237E80B84B3DBE9FACB26B1C4B0D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (7), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5E48D31884874E70BAD4C043202FF742"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD8C8C6167C194D5884F15E41C7179D87"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5706E8020ED045809C16581A3BFBBB68" style="USC">
<paragraph id="H220216BAED7B44DD9413ED870608210C"><enum>(9)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to provide nonpostal services and products in accordance with subsection (e).</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2EFAE61B6B584907B7CAD777A2568F72"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Nonpostal services and products</header><text>Section 404(e) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H35FB95ABABF348F691E7825117684122" style="USC">
<subsection id="H5B1CD8F89AA54BFDBD2D40C7F7FA0753"><enum>(e)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HC0609FF7252B460FB8C9BD9D39C1CC2C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Postal Service may provide any nonpostal service or product in a manner consistent with the public interest.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H74800F94A9454FFFB3FDA393A4A2FBEC" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Not later than 90 days before providing a nonpostal service or product that the Postal Service did not provide before the date of enactment of this subsection, the Postal Service shall request an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission that evaluates the extent to which the provision of that nonpostal service or product—</text>
<subparagraph id="H139C3106CE994033AB3C87CE0DCED815"><enum>(A)</enum><text>would use the processing, transportation, delivery, retail network, technology, or other resources of the Postal Service; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB4DF01B1C6484D6EB9685FEDDD689669"><enum>(B)</enum><text>would be consistent with the public interest.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2FC2865149954AF5951BCA4A242D3060" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Not later than 45 days after the date on which the Postal Regulatory Commission receives a request under paragraph (2), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4E30CC61A42A4E4DB4905B7E9EDF6C68"><enum>(A)</enum><text>issue an advisory opinion to the Postal Service concerning the request; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7053DA8DD470457F8CD7660A29217B70"><enum>(B)</enum><text>transmit a copy of the advisory opinion, together with the original request, to—</text>
<clause id="HC74EA04644814923A4816ED3FD61D7DE"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H0BFEFB35D7A64BD98369368928681E51"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H3CCFA3BDA6EA47AC900BD75EA8367BA1" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>In this title, the term <term>nonpostal service or product</term> means any service or product other than a postal service, including—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HB2833EDF5F1347C1BD860E1E306BA2EB"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">check-cashing services;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HE68EE22AEE01454BBF8E805F3A92C2D7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>technology and media services;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HEB8923F1BBD148CA8C3CEB3ECF6D7D2D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>warehousing and logistics;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H3ED967DCD00C473899859FD140C99D5E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>facility leasing;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H921CD6263B2C440CA16E8F7CBC6813F6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>public Internet access services;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H463568412B0B4641906D259E130BDB82"><enum>(F)</enum><text>driver licensing;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H3C9BFA7029B74F60881A65929CFEACD9"><enum>(G)</enum><text>vehicle registration;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HFDFC50A5441D4A48AEC3707BF0877101"><enum>(H)</enum><text>hunting and fishing licensing;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H201E1674DD16407FB8CFAB7D35F1E08E"><enum>(I)</enum><text>notary services; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H77B43506E53D455B8D57DB13351192EA"><enum>(J)</enum><text>voter registration.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H89BEEBB29B084E8E9CADD3DB1621A52A" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Postal Service may enter into a contract with a State or local agency to provide a nonpostal service or product authorized under this subsection.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H59E858DD9662415EAA08DDB48860781C"><enum>302.</enum><header>Wine and beer shipping</header>
<subsection id="HC3CD950DC3E94F3BBF4512AC6AFBEEEF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Mailability</header>
<paragraph id="H532773016EF6499B9B30755FCACA4195"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Nonmailable articles</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/18/1716">Section 1716(f)</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>mails</quote> and inserting <quote>mails, except to the extent that the mailing is allowable under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/3001">section 3001(p)</external-xref> of title 39</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8C8A4143F9584AC895EA36D4D9F080F8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Intoxicants</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/18/1154">Section 1154(a)</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code, is amended, by inserting <quote>or, with respect to the mailing of wine or malt beverages, to the extent allowed under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/3001">section 3001(p)</external-xref> of title 39</quote> after <quote>mechanical purposes</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC81AECC5857248F590BE7A1462626973"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/3001">Section 3001</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB7EA0F7234E644CE8F7BA793593D9006" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H1F9A37D6249E47FB8B960FD710C26DE8"><enum>(p)</enum>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HB84391074D404773B6A9F4807BA010E1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Wine or malt beverages shall be considered mailable if mailed—</text>
<subparagraph id="H842C3199FF6B464D8E8B132EB5F3A249" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by a licensed winery or brewery, in accordance with applicable regulations under paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1D2C0872AEAC45AC9861E11006BEEB97" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in accordance with the law of the State, territory, or district of the United States where the addressee or duly authorized agent takes delivery.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H80BDFB7AA98440BBBCFC9ED39B41B33D" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Postal Service shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection, including regulations providing that—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC645EF5CBC334F08B48D762464EC4D51"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the mailing shall be by a means established by the Postal Service to ensure direct delivery to the addressee or a duly authorized agent at a postal facility;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE59B49880CF8415A8E1920CB73144E1A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the addressee (and any duly authorized agent) shall be an individual at least 21 years of age, and shall present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEF99D2F1B8534A8BABF0BD45190A2E8B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the wine or malt beverages may not be for resale or other commercial purpose; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8A7A53BD71F74BC494D2280DD5F918FA"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the winery or brewery involved shall—</text>
<clause id="H19A94AEA2B864147B54B125ACC6943DD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>certify in writing to the satisfaction of the Postal Service, through a registration process administered by the Postal Service, that the mailing is not in violation of any provision of this subsection or regulation prescribed under this subsection; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H19B45D0DB3064976BC7F356FF49AC6C4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provide any other information or affirmation that the Postal Service may require, including with respect to the prepayment of State alcohol beverage taxes.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA4B65849ACFD4EA1AFD558450A9AEAB1" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>For purposes of this subsection—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBBFC793BAB2A4A889F59144A5B0BF123"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a winery shall be considered to be licensed if that winery holds an appropriate basic permit issued—</text>
<clause id="H1174538F0CFF46E6A34A2ED1E2563EE8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/27/201">27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.</external-xref>); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H237DFB7D44374E53ADB2078A3B0D6FDB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>under the law of the State in which the winery is located; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD9821D3CBF55472DAEDA3C9D60C38270"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a brewery shall be considered to be licensed if that brewery—</text>
<clause id="HD9959ED0E6704CF0A2D05E04C33371C0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>possesses a notice of registration and bond approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the Department of the Treasury; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HC76F865061B34D53B5D2E84352B370D0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is licensed to manufacture and sell beer in the State in which the brewery is located.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H049E11E262C84ACF99A01E06A7488655"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the earlier of—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8EA877FA75B44E28A49328E9F4B06EAF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the date on which the Postal Service issues regulations under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/3001">section 3001(p)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, as amended by this section; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5283896D40D04012A973C137E5DEAB84"><enum>(2)</enum><text>120 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H45AB56005DC047CFBB025F67DC3737B1"><enum>303.</enum><header>Innovation and accountability</header>
<subsection id="HCAFE8F5A5A5F4E10B324158F6DF04722"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/39/2">Chapter 2</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD191A05B25DA4E0C886F351342DE5AE5" style="USC">
<section id="H59751772C6504E3E8FC2DD523AEDA663"><enum>209.</enum><header>Innovation and accountability</header>
<subsection id="HC2CF42080FE54A56A2EED67A7F95066D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Chief innovation officer</header><text>There shall be in the Postal Service a Chief Innovation Officer appointed by the Postmaster General who shall have proven expertise and a record of success in—</text>
<paragraph id="HFD93B040BF8845249C441B6A56857DBB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the postal and shipping industry;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H138F407905FE4AEEBB6BBB96AE6AFD2C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>innovative product research and development;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H93FE955AA9594779B2242A73AE26BAAF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>marketing brand strategy;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCAC741D18206423F8328A8BEE0025CC4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>emerging communications technology; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB8777F0F46F04B8F9497B17B70155891"><enum>(5)</enum><text>business process management.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5A60AA03D7FC407BAFE4313D3FD7AFC3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The Chief Innovation Officer shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H4E2266EE0FFA4DBEB890C713D0DA29AD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>lead the development of innovative nonpostal products and services that maximize the revenue of the Postal Service;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFC0392AFCABA45FB9A1F12D9895A30F5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop innovative postal products and services, particularly products and services that use emerging information technologies, to maximize the revenue of the Postal Service;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H26F8FF4DF7DC45939B401049124529E6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>supervise the implementation of products and services described in paragraphs (1) and (2); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H193AB5A55FA74984BF12FE82852710E9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>monitor the performance of products and services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) and modify the products and services as needed to address changing market trends.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2C8FB1E8A2964768AED12B52485B5D4E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>The Chief Innovation Office shall take into consideration comments or advisory opinions, if applicable, issued by the Postal Regulatory Committee before the initial sale of innovative postal or nonpostal products and services.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4AEACD965CD946CA9C779E646D85FF41"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Designation</header>
<paragraph id="HB41FD2CB96134F76938B29E19D0561C5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this section, and not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Postmaster General shall appoint a Chief Innovation Officer.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE2885C8675C44A3EBAA9A4EA37B2E70B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Condition</header><text>The Chief Innovation Officer may not, while serving as Chief Innovation Officer, hold any other office or position in the Postal Service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7DEA5A0A389742B296C82FB7A103BF14"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an individual who holds another office or position in the Postal Service at the time the individual is appointed Chief Innovation Officer from serving as the Chief Innovation Officer under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H586BE51F53304BFB8C4A3CC6A90F8832"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Advisory commission</header>
<paragraph id="H5FB2F3AF23B0496FBF7139B45935B205"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established the Postal Innovation Advisory Commission (hereinafter the <term>Commission</term>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H748BBC98A4104502B6D58A3BA65B42A7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<subparagraph id="H9FD40E7A49684F63A5C6042D26B0D7B1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Commission shall be composed of—</text>
<clause id="H0DC4FAD1657D4E2996F5050E9A4327EE"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Chief Innovation Officer established under subsection (a), who shall serve as Chairperson of the Commission; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H8B3AD3B8EA0E42218718BB521A59F77D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>5 other members as the Postal Regulatory Commission shall appoint, of whom—</text>
<subclause id="H2008F02E0F49405BAB4075F56572F673"><enum>(I)</enum><text>1 member shall have expertise in labor;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H4F6C3EAFF39B4852AE5198E750AA06F1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>1 member shall have expertise in small business issues;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H0652E1A11C61407E9A0C4FE0C6A33797"><enum>(III)</enum><text>1 member shall have expertise in consumer protection;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HFCAA27903FC74C65A4810E81275F3945"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>1 member shall have expertise in small periodicals and newspapers; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HFA8B23FE555440DB91AECC2DAF0986B7"><enum>(V)</enum><text>1 member shall have expertise in the postal industry.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4D8409A79571453ABAE6DE0E2A80E29F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Period of appointment</header><text>Members shall be appointed for 5-year terms.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0D7B288166544D4B8F7AEA6F695FD939"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H965C3CCEDBD94FB3B837F553E5ED2855"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBB3FBED81D234EEAB6B71341D11E1E1A"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFB619B197CA141C483D483BC4CB8AA1F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duties of the commission</header>
<subparagraph id="H205D22B6BC6B412CBD8CE4AA029FDE20"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The Commission shall study—</text>
<clause id="H04385D4483A6495EA5080E83F2EA47B7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>additional postal and nonpostal services that the Postal Service may offer to raise revenue; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HA775A7C7894F47208F58AA56488B7205"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>services that postal services in foreign countries have offered to respond to the increasing demand for high-tech services, including—</text>
<subclause id="H9A6A072903834A9FB23DC1F9264E7BF2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>banking and insurance services;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H22FEB6FC80BF4579AF0CA88EF711C4DB"><enum>(II)</enum><text>communication services;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H5A891131B24E42D093975BF8481870EF"><enum>(III)</enum><text>physical delivery of e-mail correspondence to individuals who do not have Internet access;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H65F876756D6F446F968EF1014ECF8CBC"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>scanning physical mail and delivering that mail through e-mail; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H8359D51D92994DF196C8D38FCB241BA8"><enum>(V)</enum><text>communication through secure servers.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8AFC63F222C04EF897885F62186A7749"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>The Commission shall generate recommendations for additional services that the Postal Service should provide based on the study conducted under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB49AEE4BA6EB4017AF26D1ECADB32DEC"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Postmaster General a report that contains each recommendation described under subparagraph (B) that the Commission approves by a majority vote.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9079270A485145DDBD2CA078CC11BC2E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Powers of the commission</header>
<subparagraph id="H9DBEFFAAD2AF4ACF802A706A58EF7614"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Hearings</header><text>The Commission may hold such hearings, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as is necessary to carry out this subsection.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H21B0367233E14C89BAB453AEDC2019E3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Information from federal agencies</header><text>The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out this subsection. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8B6C018E0DBF459AA97EB622D79E83A2"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Postal services</header><text>The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1FB6C19CC4AC46F3996EBAF8A827AE78"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Gifts</header><text>The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9EBF1CB5941044C5970BEA8535D2709A"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Commission personnel matters</header>
<subparagraph id="H4339C2C394CD450E9971F8E505CC99D5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Compensation of members</header><text>Each member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government (including the Postal Service) shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5315">section 5315</external-xref> of title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States, including the Postal Service, shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF35894556A8D4011B2720D494F77815D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Travel expenses</header><text>The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0084AF4095B44698BF05EECF8C427DF8"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Staff</header>
<clause id="HDD40091207794F72B6A52AF9F9802483"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Chairperson of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission.</text></clause>
<clause id="H872C57C32A4F495EB335B905E27E7615"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/53">chapter 53</external-xref> of title 5 relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5316">section 5316</external-xref> of title 5.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H098B35946895458AB08B8FB25E88E012"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Detail of government employees</header><text>Any Federal Government employee, including an employee of the Postal Service, may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEDBE99DF64FA4FACB193FCAC8E7E9D87"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Procurement of temporary and intermittent services</header><text>The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3109">section 3109(b)</external-xref> of title 5 at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5316">section 5316</external-xref> of title 5.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBDC09571441946ABB1875372B129B2C4"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Permanent advisory commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE7E502A74DF7462ABE3BFB8CD266505B"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<subparagraph id="H7928F0A1E55F4AA68DC54248F84D024C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to the Commission to carry out this Act.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H757D4D60CDD34ECCB883D2E1CDE29F60"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Any sums appropriated under the authorization contained in this section shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2ED40369173142C499749966352423B9"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Innovation strategy</header>
<paragraph id="HF7FD251EEB5043E28C7A317774F99253"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Postmaster General shall submit, at the same time the President submits the annual budget request under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/1105">section 1105</external-xref> of title 31 for that year, and together with the report on performance under subsection (g), a comprehensive strategy for maximizing the revenue of the Postal Service through innovative postal and nonpostal products and services to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H08634C3B89A34A2EB1072DC0B203E37C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDEFD0637EC4546B096708FDE1115ADB6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3A5386EB5C3C4BC58D95123D18BF07FD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Postal Regulatory Commission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H63DC01F5E1B14B6A89356F3EBC024DE1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Matters to be addressed</header><text>At a minimum, the strategy required by this subsection shall address—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1C41A1DA3F8F47C89BC014CE0A6CDC6C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the specific innovative postal and nonpostal products and services to be developed and offered by the Postal Service, including the nature of the market demand to be satisfied by each product and service and the estimated date by which each product and service will be introduced;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H13F7216A1A634516BC96414E45D42A63"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the cost of developing and offering each product or service;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H55A8F29A735A46638842DB1F8DCB223A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the anticipated sales volume for each product and service;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF56C9C1C16C343E38E4F9161750F261D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the anticipated revenues and profits expected to be generated by each product and service;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2475CC79966649E2B3E48C81FFCA5ABC"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the likelihood of success of each product and service and the risks associated with the development and sale of each product and service;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0687006445A243BF87B73987AF91BF14"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the trends anticipated in market conditions that may affect the success of each product and service during the 5-year period following the submission of the report; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE6D2F6ECC7714D698254E0EDBA4CDBF1"><enum>(G)</enum><text>the metrics that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the innovation strategy.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H622B4084022048109D525018A3FF2172"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Strategy updates</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postmaster General shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDA8041CE9E06468BADFAC620AA06F789"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">update the strategy required under this subsection every 2 years; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H602C4BFBF3094F5A8E641EF88A3F2784"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit the updated strategy, at the same time the President submits the annual budget request under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/1105">section 1105</external-xref> of title 31 for that year, and together with the report on performance under subsection (g), to—</text>
<clause id="H5675AA6F0BAF4FC0A55BC5B2AADBB760"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;</text></clause>
<clause id="H453195E04DB04E4F826C2E3408BB28A5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H46CC2CCD9ACD4AF890BF1EFF874D4521"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Regulatory Commission.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9B26CB954C6F4E659F707CCEB7D9D928"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report on performance</header>
<paragraph id="HA16198B0D60D48A78ECCBFD66696B6DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postmaster General shall submit an annual report that describes the progress of the Postal Service in implementing the strategy under this section, at the same time the President submits the annual budget request under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/1105">section 1105</external-xref> of title 31, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8DAEC731468B40BC8A30AA668FA46891"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H81F4675B2F484DA1A1B053AF6BA013BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA72D5367636848B7B5784917F225B0C0"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Regulatory Commission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE1BA4A2801574792ABE9AE62D61E7EAE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Matters to be addressed</header><text>At a minimum, a report under this subsection shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD039546AE65940C384B6675E71D27836"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the revenue generated by each product and service developed through the strategy under this section and the costs of developing and offering each product or service for the preceding year;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7D824FC805B0473E80BAD743686AF74C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the total sales volume and revenue generated by each product and service on a monthly basis for the preceding year;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H56EEC59EF77146B5A163D0A09A327563"><enum>(C)</enum><text>trends in each market in which a product or service is intended to satisfy a demand;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDF27A0BC003E4077956508BEA407B739"><enum>(D)</enum><text>products and services identified in the strategy under this section that are to be discontinued, the date on which the discontinuance will occur, and the reasons for the discontinuance;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD6CFC26AD6844B24B27EAB9B51D551CE"><enum>(E)</enum><text>alterations in products and services identified in the strategy under this section that will be made to address changing market conditions, and an explanation of how the alterations will ensure the success of the products and services; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1C23C06C2F334C9EAD24BB973A9AC823"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the performance of the strategy under this section according to the metrics identified under subsection (e)(2)(G).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HDF6B1E0C6ECE44D9BF480F089C87411D"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Study and report by Comptroller General</header>
<paragraph id="HB4650A9BF51A4E768D14AEEE1C209157"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Study</header>
<subparagraph id="HA6EC5D9A5F1F40DFA62500A76FDBCEC1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the implementation of the strategy under this section that assesses the effectiveness of the Postal Service in identifying, developing, and selling innovative postal and nonpostal products and services.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD1E04F18233D4754A4805461A959D917"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The study under subparagraph (A) shall include—</text>
<clause id="H2657592052C04EBB8633BFE8D6000B49"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an audit of the costs of developing each innovative postal and nonpostal product and service developed or offered by the Postal Service;</text></clause>
<clause id="H1EB4587560BD48FEBA5866899476C2F8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the sales volume of each product and service;</text></clause>
<clause id="H14A2EFDE0E3740808EA14BAB7A6F3B5F"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the revenues and profits generated by each product and service; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H1A9905E1C5DD4214A532D44C0508A1F2"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the likelihood of continued success of each product and service.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1F6FBD202DA047BDA7D1DA186CBDD057"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit a report concerning the study under paragraph (1) to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD2B83FF17A2E4ED980A16BDB20C75605"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3A3D1461A31F46A3B0097E110F00AF4C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HAD20BBCCEE9146D18B94A6D11866E63D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections for <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/39/2">chapter 2</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5861FF705A22439085B8F6927C71F27D" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">209. Innovation and accountability.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>Maintaining levels of service</header>
<section id="H4A65B0ABD32843C19C19B26A49972BD5"><enum>401.</enum><header>Six-day delivery</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/404a">Section 404a(a)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H2986AD9F32084C69A38E60082BDE1AE5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5D91AB9CF8D44A7084C42C37DDAD669A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFAD0DBA5BAFE413F978843A84C57ABB7"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1025610DD0284E6E884DCC0194C10281" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HC538883BA3AF495791CE543E313E7C4F"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">reduce the frequency of the delivery of mail to fewer than 6 days each week.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HC850F6FB87A9431DB09A99BA6CC99998"><enum>402.</enum><header>Service standards for market-dominant products</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/3691">Section 3691</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0CF574B7C39E4051858ECFC339E93741" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H8D786401528E4937B51A8FA82D577115"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Restriction on authority</header><text>Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (c), the Postal Service may not increase the expected delivery time for market-dominant products required under part 121 of title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on March 2, 2010.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<enum>V</enum><header>Elimination of annual limitation on increases in rates for market-dominant products</header>
<section id="HF6C0F597188949DC886C85859933A7A5"><enum>501.</enum><header>Elimination of annual limitation</header>
<subsection id="HFF213A84A0E54B49AFD5DEACB98BD67A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/3622">section 3622(d)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is repealed.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HEB0CE711D33E4F698AD24B62B0AD265F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendments</header><text>Such section 3622(d), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H5426B03DF7B9410BB5A17FA90C80EB15"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H37EEE67745B844D3A06D88C1936683BC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF25B31CE463343FEBE8069DF11AC1EB3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated by subparagraph (A))—</text>
<clause id="HD8E6259B6E114E4A83F138CC02DE6DA0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>and</quote> at the end of clause (i); and</text></clause>
<clause id="HACD98D49C99D4939938159544927C4BD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking clauses (iii) and (iv);</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H009F063DBD4B4433904A5A8FE82AB27C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking subparagraph (D) and redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (D); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5A28EAC277814F46927A76E6384361BA"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated by subparagraph (C)), by striking <quote>notwithstanding</quote> and all that follows through <quote>paragraph (2)(C),</quote>; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3104E6265B8B40F984BC62573A181387"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>