1.This Act may be cited as the
21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012
.
2.The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I—Postal workforce matters
Sec. 101. Treatment of postal funding surplus for Federal
Employees Retirement System.
Sec. 102. Incentives for voluntary separation.
Sec. 103. Restructuring of payments for retiree health
benefits.
Sec. 104. Postal Service Health
Benefits Program.
Sec. 105. Medicare Educational Program for Postal Service
Employees and Retirees.
Sec. 106. Arbitration; labor disputes.
Sec. 107. Retirement reporting.
Sec. 108. Executive compensation.
TITLE II—Postal services and operations
Sec. 201. Maintenance of delivery service
standards.
Sec. 202. Preserving mail processing capacity.
Sec. 203. Establishment of retail service
standards.
Sec. 204. Expanded retail access.
Sec. 205. Preserving community post offices.
Sec. 206. Area and district office structure.
Sec. 207. Limitations on changes to mail delivery
schedule.
Sec. 208. Time limits for consideration of service
changes.
Sec. 209. Public procedures for significant changes to mailing
specifications.
Sec. 210. Nonpostal products and services.
Sec. 211. Chief Innovation Officer; innovation
strategy.
Sec. 212. Strategic Advisory Commission on Postal Service
Solvency and Innovation.
Sec. 213. Citizen's service protection advocates.
Sec. 214. Capitol Complex post offices.
TITLE III—Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
Sec. 301. Short title; references.
Sec. 302. Federal workers compensation reforms for
retirement-age employees.
Sec. 303. Augmented compensation for dependents.
Sec. 304. Schedule compensation payments.
Sec. 305. Vocational rehabilitation.
Sec. 306. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 307. Disability management review; independent medical
examinations.
Sec. 308. Waiting period.
Sec. 309. Election of benefits.
Sec. 310. Sanction for noncooperation with field
nurses.
Sec. 311. Subrogation of continuation of pay.
Sec. 312. Integrity and compliance.
Sec. 313. Amount of compensation.
Sec. 314. Terrorism injuries; zones of armed
conflict.
Sec. 315. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 316. Regulations.
Sec. 317. Effective date.
TITLE IV—Other matters
Sec. 401. Solvency plan.
Sec. 402. Postal rates.
Sec. 403. Co-location with Federal agencies.
Sec. 404. Cooperation with State and local governments;
intra-Service agreements.
Sec. 405. Shipping of wine, beer, and distilled
spirits.
Sec. 406. Annual report on United States mailing
industry.
Sec. 407. Use of negotiated service agreements.
Sec. 408. Contract disputes.
Sec. 409. Contracting provisions.
Sec. 410. Executive compensation.
Sec. 411. Sense of the Senate.
TITLE V—Miscellaneous
Sec. 501. Government sponsored conferences.
3.In this Act, the following definitions shall
apply:
(1)The term Commission means the
Postal Regulatory Commission.
(2)The term Postal
Service means the United States Postal Service.
<enum>I</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal workforce matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc7fffe1a-7a70-4950-8eae-dbd1d69d397a" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Treatment of postal funding surplus for
Federal Employees Retirement System</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8423(b) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6cda4b85-e21b-4b89-af0f-2fcfe49ba53a"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(6); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b8ccc9b-ee7d-42d9-92bd-49bfe32fe2a1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after paragraph (4) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id07dd3690-d3c4-4e74-9193-ab4a9d79aba3" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idde84c2c0-f4d8-41e9-8a01-106f1ef593f1" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id61fe19b2-0c26-450a-bc84-7fa0360b99bb"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this paragraph, the term <term>postal
funding surplus</term> means the amount by which the amount computed under
paragraph (1)(B) is less than zero.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id22e1dbed-f074-4295-afa3-de631c748dc7" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2B988F2AD29B40A0BD8595921BB1F127"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Beginning with fiscal year 2011, for each
fiscal year in which the amount computed under paragraph (1)(B) is less than
zero, upon request of the Postmaster General, the Director shall transfer to
the United States Postal Service from the Fund an amount equal to the postal
funding surplus for that fiscal year for use in accordance with this
paragraph.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6C0E76B9F01B48FA98A8737D05C33636" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Office shall calculate the amount under
paragraph (1)(B) for a fiscal year by not later than June 15 after the close of
the fiscal year, and shall transfer any postal funding surplus to the United
States Postal Service within 10 days after a request by the Postmaster
General.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id076cce28-87f5-41bc-88c1-51a266315064" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For each of fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013,
and 2014 if the amount computed under paragraph (1)(B) is less than zero, a
portion of the postal funding surplus for the fiscal year shall be used by the
United States Postal Service for the cost of providing incentives for voluntary
separation, in accordance with section 102 of the 21st Century Postal Service
Act of 2012 and sections 8332(p) and 8411(m) of this title, to employees of the
United States Postal Service who voluntarily separate from service before
October 1, 2015.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idec52d929-dcea-424d-bb60-b3a145eaf1ef" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any postal funding surplus for a fiscal
year not expended under subparagraph (C) may be used by the United States
Postal Service for the purposes of—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf05dd76a-df04-4892-b7a2-eb05f1c499a3"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">repaying any obligation issued under
section 2005 of title 39; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2ac3854c-9331-4f5e-a22f-a5ef48ca5e5b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">making required payments to—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfe649b58-c4ca-467e-9a5f-52dbb2e2f403"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Employees’ Compensation Fund
established under section 8147;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0e3342c7-0862-40cf-a7c0-81f6667173a6"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits
Fund established under section 8909a;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide8f846cd-e170-4172-8c3b-c50dfc6af041"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Employees Health Benefits Fund
established under section 8909; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idceb28859-b866-4e79-8956-1c8d6c15316b"><enum>(IV)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Civil Service Retirement and Disability
Fund.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1ec908e4-0c72-495c-8bac-36f0d18a7bc2" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Incentives for voluntary
separation</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id14a18a21bb064aedadc8642edc16da86"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Voluntary separation incentive
payments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service
may provide voluntary separation incentive payments to employees of the Postal
Service who voluntarily separate from service before October 1, 2015 (including
payments to employees who retire under section 8336(d)(2) or 8414(b)(1)(B) of
title 5, United States Code, before October 1, 2015), which may not exceed the
maximum amount provided under section 3523(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United States
Code, for any employee.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id930bb994709442f0b083be7f4a0d18cc"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional service credit</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8e74bd204c7c47f2b255f0d2c60efd55"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Civil service retirement
system</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8332 of title
5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6494e020-b7bc-41ae-9de1-865bd9af3206" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id425b0d6f-db44-43c3-b597-e792cf842eca"><enum>(p)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idd60375aa-ea48-4c0a-aaa5-f835c4916747"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idd8e0b137-f653-422e-932d-70b64abab18a"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For an employee of the United States Postal
Service who is covered under this subchapter and voluntarily separates from
service before October 1, 2015, the Office, if so directed by the United States
Postal Service, shall add not more than 1 year to the total creditable service
of the employee for purposes of determining entitlement to and computing the
amount of an annuity under this subchapter (except for a disability annuity
under section 8337).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4d358606-d2c8-4b6d-bbef-de76e50f4ac3" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employee who receives additional
creditable service under this paragraph may not receive a voluntary separation
incentive payment from the United States Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id006e49660fa8462c9d4afde4bb36cac7" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The United States Postal Service shall
ensure that the average actuarial present value of the additional liability of
the United States Postal Service to the Fund resulting from additional
creditable service provided under paragraph (1) or section 8411(m)(1) is not
more than $25,000 per employee provided additional creditable service under
paragraph (1) or section 8411(m)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id666fd643-bd1c-476e-bdfc-3e6419951cee" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id715c3bdf-b124-4b28-b152-6904e9dc9525"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to subparagraph (B), and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, no deduction, deposit, or
contribution shall be required for service credited under this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5a31ca11-6cb7-4e67-8652-5926afdf8f71" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The actuarial present value of the
additional liability of the United States Postal Service to the Fund resulting
from this subsection shall be included in the amount calculated under section
8348(h)(1)(A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idee5fab64-6838-446f-8936-453e1bf9e70a"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Federal Employees Retirement
System</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8411 of title
5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id53a1fc97-136e-4458-ab3b-6173f934a4fe" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida994b060-3923-42a2-bdde-e800aecba85b"><enum>(m)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id0f08e7b3-d22a-4240-9953-e2a27c099f9b"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id80034ec4-ab1d-4092-bf91-93b9ba861ace"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For an employee of the United States Postal
Service who is covered under this chapter and voluntarily separates from
service before October 1, 2015, the Office, if so directed by the United States
Postal Service, shall add not more than 2 years to the total creditable service
of the employee for purposes of determining entitlement to and computing the
amount of an annuity under this chapter (except for a disability annuity under
subchapter V of that chapter).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id85f007db-491c-409d-856b-b9f4d2b2a0c6" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employee who receives additional
creditable service under this paragraph may not receive a voluntary separation
incentive payment from the United States Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id33d0e48ec2ce40a1bcd082494061ef47" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The United States Postal Service shall
ensure that the average actuarial present value of the additional liability of
the United States Postal Service to the Fund resulting from additional
creditable service provided under paragraph (1) or section 8332(p)(1) is not
more than $25,000 per employee provided additional creditable service under
paragraph (1) or section 8332(p)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71c6b508-0c09-45e2-9ad4-59732f45e99c" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3a573b28-80cb-4fab-a7dd-09e9f0c5ebc9"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to subparagraph (B), and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, no deduction, deposit, or
contribution shall be required for service credited under this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6436cde2-271a-477d-a43f-24b88f2c50a2" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The actuarial present value of the
additional liability of the United States Postal Service to the Fund resulting
from this subsection shall be included in the amount calculated under section
8423(b)(1)(B).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id96fe843d277142a3ade73b959300424e"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Goals</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0e99c943f733472695c75a4956cab7e1"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall offer incentives
for voluntary separation under this section and the amendments made by this
section as a means of ensuring that the size and cost of the workforce of the
Postal Service is appropriate to the work required of the Postal Service,
including consideration of—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideb4440c7c1f74448ab244fdd060154e2"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the closure and consolidation of postal
facilities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7317bed68beb44c7ae41852015df0e36"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the ability to operate existing postal
facilities more efficiently, including by reducing the size or scope of
operations of postal facilities in lieu of closing postal facilities;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id78cf5304e4ad40e7a0cd404a7d6bcbbc"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of employees eligible, or
projected in the near-term to be eligible, for retirement, including early
retirement.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5042de6173a04422b5ae74b3bd6ea2d4"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Percentage goal</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall offer incentives
for voluntary separation under this section to a sufficient number of employees
as would reasonably be expected to lead to an 18 percent reduction in the total
number of career employees of the Postal Service by the end of fiscal year
2015.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9547EB6D12714A958AC597BCD8E6798E"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, the term <term>career
employee of the Postal Service</term> means an employee of the Postal
Service—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC3A2BC729DF941CC8724C6AB6F524905"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whose appointment is not for a limited
period; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD43B0D93960B4AA682A95295F6BF76E4"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">who is eligible for benefits, including
retirement coverage under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5, United States
Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36a41e99-0a1c-47ac-b3a7-478df8f0b03d"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funding</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall carry out
subsection (a) and sections 8332(p) and 8411(m) of title 5, United States Code,
as added by subsection (b) of this section, using funds made available under
section 8423(b)(5)(C) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by section 101
of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaa36bf71-6da3-423f-b3d8-06859e2930ca" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Restructuring of payments for retiree
health benefits</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id11fc3707-5b3f-47ef-bb40-0e32cde310d0"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contributions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8906(g)(2)(A) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking <quote>through September 30, 2016, be paid
by the United States Postal Service, and thereafter shall</quote> and inserting
<quote>after the date of enactment of the <short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title></quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id03f7709b-e98d-4576-843e-9f9008139153"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits
Fund</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8909a of title
5, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3f6445a7-b4ee-48cd-97a7-b03f132388fe"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (d)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf6782b11-6cd1-411e-87b7-570e629a958e"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6df82441ca9e49ff951b154b366f2013" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idca78b03fcc674967a3b808d6ddc564c1" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idCC3659B6E4FE4EE99531FA7549FC4036"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of the <short-title>21st Century Postal Service
Act of 2012</short-title>, or March 31, 2013, whichever is later, the Office
shall compute, and by June 30 of each succeeding year, the Office shall
recompute, a schedule including a series of annual installments which provide
for the liquidation of the amount described under subparagraph (B) (regardless
of whether the amount is a liability or surplus) by September 30, 2052, or
within 15 years, whichever is later, including interest at the rate used in the
computations under this subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9B7EB51EA5C24C75B6AB6D5440998ACC" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amount described in this subparagraph
is the amount, as of the date on which the applicable computation or
recomputation under subparagraph (A) is made, that is equal to the difference
between—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFAF3C77AB1434983B43E22B1F20BC300"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">80
percent of the Postal Service actuarial liability as of September 30 of the
most recently ended fiscal year; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE323AA26C4D144F797CD4B945BF10026"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the value of the assets of the Postal
Retiree Health Benefits Fund as of September 30 of the most recently ended
fiscal
year.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida1c7f69c-9ec3-48f7-a675-42c43c52756a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (3)—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb388db2a-07f5-4b54-be32-6ae97a3d08e4"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A)—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idafa7f55b-632a-41db-afc2-e82815a480f7"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (iii), by adding
<quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0bdc6cfb-5af9-4294-9c87-3a7d951013ef"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (iv), by striking the semicolon
at the end and inserting a period; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4e15c61f-c249-4b98-8fd8-31058fa8a690"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking clauses (v) through (x);
and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb9ff4ac5-da7a-487f-83fe-7394223cd8ea"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (B), by striking
<quote>2017</quote> and inserting <quote>2013</quote>;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id22ab576d594d435d8fe266ba8c094413"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by amending paragraph (4) to read as
follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id078C8CC37AFC46E19E777541D540AF6C" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbea8455ea32542c58d3cdec7f8e084e3" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Computations under this subsection shall be
based on—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id35A7BFA31AEC4CE2AE5C729E819C5552"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">economic and actuarial methods and
assumptions consistent with the methods and assumptions used in determining the
Postal surplus or supplemental liability under section 8348(h); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6f0d5ca4d8ff467592e4b4ab00b1c3f6"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other methods and assumptions,
including a health care cost trend rate, that the Director of the Office
determines to be appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd8582a3a-54d4-4fcd-9770-ef57ac96473e"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id44bf67d35ef645dab4239489aecc062d" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24aca5c2ade447f9b70f170cd1eeb2ce" indent="up1"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, the term <term>Postal
Service actuarial liability</term> means the difference between—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd4f5226a54cb49ce89932ecd6dc182b6"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the net present value of future payments
required under section 8906(g)(2)(A) for current and future United States
Postal Service annuitants; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd7b676d6b6bf43329feb1c06ebf91bfa"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the net present value as computed under
paragraph (1) attributable to the future service of United States Postal
Service employees.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAB2296F7B18D4D9590388B04FD1B738E"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5a9b12a0-7588-4fb9-8645-5ada1df0f570" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id49F7DCE6BF154DA792F2E37449D894EF"><enum>(e)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsections (a) through (d) of this section
shall be subject to section 104 of the <short-title>21st
Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id9BD4DB3615FB49C4BAC9D8113132B042"><enum>104.</enum><header>Postal Service
Health Benefits Program</header>
<subsection id="idAB9F88559AC1437D842C63E260E47585"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section—</text>
<paragraph id="idCF7F5293FB8F4EFA8FD0CC630B9772F7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term
<term>covered employee</term> means an officer or employee of the Postal
Service who is—</text>
<subparagraph id="idbf87f0dabab1473b9e034d0622bd99bc"><enum>(A)</enum><text>represented by a
bargaining representative recognized under section 1203 of title 39, United
States Code; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id07c1915fc4534fb88728a5205e4b70e9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a member of the
Postal Career Executive Service;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idB6A600C1F151463B8F778F552FB83490"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term
<term>Federal Employee Health Benefits Program</term> means the health benefits
program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC7C69347A5484685B01192B619B4CA27"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the term
<term>participants</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="id15C1D846C2A949D6BEE57AF884C2E76F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>covered
employees; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEA106F31506A41AC8577D02FB753C26A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>officers and
employees of the Postal Service who are not covered employees and who elect to
participate in the Postal Service Health Benefits Program; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9380492D1C384CB5B8AB441C24024B27"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the term
<term>Postal Service Health Benefits Program</term> means the health benefits
program that may be agreed to under subsection (b)(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idEE9E0FECE97044A89E4F6EA6680E74C9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Collective
bargaining</header>
<paragraph id="id237814A7D02E4156B2619CAEEFEF16B9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Consistent with section 1005(f) of title 39, United
States Code, the Postal Service may negotiate jointly with all bargaining
representatives recognized under section 1203 of title 39, United States Code,
and enter into a joint collective bargaining agreement with those bargaining
representatives to establish the Postal Service Health Benefits Program that
satisfies the conditions under subsection (c). The Postal Service and the
bargaining representatives shall negotiate in consultation with the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5A17187712404CA58435C997AEB3C1AD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultation
with supervisory and managerial personnel</header><text>In the course of
negotiations under paragraph (1), the Postal Service shall consult with each of
the organizations of supervisory and other managerial personnel that are
recognized under section 1004 of title 39, United States Code, concerning the
views of the personnel represented by each of those organizations.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA80B56E4ADD74A6897F82E79A8A6C1F4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Arbitration
limitation</header><text>Notwithstanding chapter 12 of title 39, United States
Code, there shall not be arbitration of any dispute in the negotiations under
this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id52B5E78266A44F95B7449179C75D4AA2"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Time
limitation</header><text>The authority under this subsection shall extend until
September 30, 2012.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBE1538B1A1914034BCFB71A594CE18F0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Postal Service
Health Benefits Program</header><text>The Postal Service Health Benefits
Program—</text>
<paragraph id="idA9647B55A41B490A8EE053B1B3BACE0D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id0D22A1392BFC42A5856853A8D664842D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be available for
participation by all covered employees;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id728E4BE97F0D47D78E6E56E79E66FFC4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be available for
participation by any officer or employee of the Postal Service who is not a
covered employee, at the option solely of that officer or employee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idad467541c3ae4b418921f5dfb0dbdcd1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide coverage
that is actuarially equivalent to the types of plans available under the
Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, as determined by the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id491379B802E44B159CBD5B970EC20D6B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>be administered
in a manner determined in a joint agreement reached under subsection (b);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1DCD7A5133934232969A589389C1DC06"><enum>(E)</enum><text>provide for
transition of coverage under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program of
all participants to coverage under the Postal Service Health Benefits Program
on January 1, 2013;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id17733A1210174EBAA56024D8A8C54D7D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may provide
dental benefits; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id16E5F7893B1241C8B32ED245C0A40262"><enum>(3)</enum><text>may provide
vision benefits.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC31ACE12917C4841A97CB366F1C54B4E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Agreement and
implementation</header><text>If a joint agreement is reached under subsection
(b)—</text>
<paragraph id="idA4A66E42B7064933887FAB1472290320"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Postal
Service shall implement the Postal Service Health Benefits Program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0DDD392CAB094E87897B3B84569196A7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Postal
Service Health Benefits Program shall constitute an agreement between the
collective bargaining representatives and the Postal Service for purposes of
section 1005(f) of title 39, United States Code; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6A01348AC0A046B4A733246CE3EC68FB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>participants may
not participate as employees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits
Program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2C97E5DC6A654F74A41C851BA60B4013"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Government
plan</header><text>The Postal Service Health Benefits Program shall be a
government plan as that term is defined under section 3(32) of Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002(32)).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id6E99F74C3CED4EFAA2F3DA0E78D8904C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than June 30, 2013, the Postal Service shall submit a report to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives
that—</text>
<paragraph id="idE3AFAACF60BE40BB9A8672C4EA4D4F59"><enum>(1)</enum><text>reports on the
implementation of this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id955037B82AA84A2292F2F95E589F5422"><enum>(2)</enum><text>requests any
additional statutory authority that the Postal Service determines is necessary
to carry out the purposes of this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5500F2E61BF444B686D234B4C7DC4D30"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed as an
endorsement by Congress for withdrawing officers and employees of the Postal
Service from the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id3DA058A6A05046D78FA29D8B0D113CFC"><enum>105.</enum><header>Medicare
Educational Program for Postal Service Employees and Retirees</header>
<subsection id="idDC92586317224529A26355869263B262"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Educational
program</header><text>The Postmaster General, in consultation with the Director
of the Office of Personnel Management and the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall develop an educational program for
Postal Service employees and annuitants who may be eligible to enroll in the
Medicare program for hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.) (commonly known as
<quote>Medicare Part A</quote>) and the Medicare program for supplementary
medical insurance benefits under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.) (commonly known as <quote>Medicare Part
B</quote>), the objective of which shall be to educate employees and annuitants
on how Medicare benefits interact with and can supplement the benefits of the
employee or annuitant under the Federal Employees Health Benefit
Program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id54A9426954DF4D4FA302E0BFBBC40D8F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to
authorize the Postal Service to require a Postal Service employee or annuitant
(as defined in subsection (c)) to enroll in Medicare.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idE4B2F2FDCB294E919C107A9B1EAACF92"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definition of
Postal service employee or annuitant</header><text>In this section, the term
<term>Postal Service employee or annuitant</term> means an individual who
is—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id2EA226BF6E1A4C2B9884B04AB71BF0A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an employee of
the Postal Service; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id2D8AE66934674E4890B88F9AF07DEC27"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an annuitant
covered under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, whose Government
contribution is paid by the Postal Service under section 8906(g)(2) of such
title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idafd58ca9-27b5-4f00-8c3d-0e5ff1e0c855" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>106.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Arbitration; labor disputes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1207(c) of title 39, United States
Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7215F0C5E88E4DFD812C879852590285"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (2)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ided53fa85-c73d-46cf-8cc6-d237f02d9032"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(A)</quote> after
<quote>(2)</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddac0eb1e-ec1c-4d6d-bfe8-3ead81333030"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking the last sentence and inserting
<quote>The arbitration board shall render a decision not later than 45 days
after the date of its appointment.</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id733d8fc8-db44-4604-9ea5-cad7fd9dd2a8"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3420BD7E3B5C41C1B80DDB82F345AE42" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida9950817-dd31-4d24-aefb-7081d19ea39b" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In rendering a decision under this
paragraph, the arbitration board shall consider such relevant factors as the
financial condition of the Postal
Service.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61c4db9ab45747d0ade4b0f3c3beea26"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc76b06e08eed45e7a95f844c2d1edcb4" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide1dc0f0c8dfd4acba47b1c09c5c28d39" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section may be construed to
limit the relevant factors that the arbitration board may take into
consideration in rendering a decision under paragraph
(2).</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="idB2D15CF1459F48BDB7BD01C4504561E5"><enum>107.</enum><header>Retirement
reporting</header>
<subsection id="id98F86466509941E19DE8B5AF29AAFBE6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Timeliness and
pending applications</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not
later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every month
thereafter, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to
Congress, the Comptroller General of the United States, and issue publicly
(including on the website of the Office of Personnel Management) a report
that—</text>
<paragraph id="idc94a3725cd6e4958bd40d7f7f282a01b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>evaluates the
timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of information submitted by the Postal
Service relating to employees of the Postal Service who are retiring, as
compared with such information submitted by agencies (as defined under section
551 of title 5, United States Code); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6645d96802684c1a90f884419695f763"><enum>(2)</enum><text>includes—</text>
<subparagraph id="idB481E9BE861B4B0BB4348D907529DA34"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the total number
of applications for retirement benefits for employees of the Postal Service
that are pending action by the Office of Personnel Management; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id08C29AC9E9794A1ABFA80187CCED4149"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the number of
months each such application has been pending.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc2dfe9f4a4124a52bb20fbedf2919586"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Electronic data
timetable</header>
<paragraph id="idB03EE385979C42C9B2FAF8F511BD6B2C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to Congress and the
Comptroller General of the United States a timetable for completion of each
component of a retirement systems modernization project of the Office of
Personnel Management, including all data elements required for accurate
completion of adjudication and the date by which electronic transmission of all
personnel data to the Office of Personnel Management by the Postal Service
shall commence.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7949C2D1F06743AC986784630D604453"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Timetable
considerations</header><text>In providing a timetable for the commencing of the
electronic transmission of all personnel data by the Postal Service under
paragraph (1), the Office of Personnel Management shall consider the milestones
established by other payroll processors participating in the retirement systems
modernization project of the Office of Personnel Management.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id09C83F7388384A8299CE90E85FD58B59"><enum>108.</enum><header>Executive
compensation</header>
<subsection id="id4865673ECBAB45B38BE0825839AC590D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limitations on
compensation</header><text>Section 1003 of title 39, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idE467CC89F9BC4386B605756B05AD1A5D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by striking the last sentence; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBF7D753B0B914D55AB9B895110ECCAAE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id501DE28D16114A0B98D426F62E728790" style="USC">
<subsection id="idACABFD5CFB144950B8588A8CD6028CD3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Limitations on
compensation</header>
<paragraph id="id24087A4BD3EA4743A3E6DBA7A45B167E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Rates of basic
pay</header>
<subparagraph id="id8CE32ABAA2304618A1C68FDDE61864D2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), an officer or employee of
the Postal Service may not be paid at a rate of basic pay that exceeds the rate
of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title
5.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id37DA92D80F8C4741A45F5578E6F26463"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Very senior
executives</header><text>Not more than 6 officers or employees of the Postal
Service that are in very senior executive positions, as determined by the Board
of Governors, may be paid at a rate of basic pay that does not exceed the rate
of basic pay for level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title
5.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7DF4D8A8323249EB8C4B0BB0C67E3D91"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Benefits</header><text>For
any fiscal year, an officer or employee of the Postal Service who is in a
critical senior executive or equivalent position, as designated under section
3686(c), may not receive fringe benefits (within the meaning given that term
under section 1005(f)) that are greater than the fringe benefits received by
supervisory and other managerial personnel who are not subject to
collective-bargaining agreements under chapter
12.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC477BC09755940C4B078F4E2C8399E28"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation on
bonus authority</header><text>Section 3686 of title 39, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idEC1FB9FC4F184C4490806304A4A1D189"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by striking <quote>The Postal Service</quote> and inserting <quote>Subject
to subsection (f), the Postal Service</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id39A89523EF924E8CBB23EBD348F7043D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9AA6A73B6C7F4A1795BAEB18E2757DA6" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id45C36A073EBD437D9E416C1E061D3D51"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Limitation on
bonus authority</header>
<paragraph id="id4EA025811B414416B9C2BB6CF8EE5B5A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>In
this subsection, the term <term>covered year</term> means the fiscal year
following a fiscal year relating to which the Office of Management and Budget
determines the Postal Service has not implemented the measures needed to
achieve long-term solvency, as defined in section 208(e) of the
<short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0BF25982378240168DEBA7EC1BE1CA7A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
Postal Service may not provide a bonus or other reward under this section to an
officer or employee of the Postal service in a critical senior executive or
equivalent position, as designated under subsection (c), during a covered
year.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id97D1B13360D14AC5814205DA10EFB136"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date;
applicability</header><text>The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b)
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id6E1FFF43B83C4325B5E04F2AFBFD263C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>take effect on
the date of enactment of this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id148A919BFA7B4472BBA078B68B34759A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>apply to any
contract entered or modified by the Postal Service on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id6B01055FD7074D6792455DDA5A919671"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Sunset</header><text>Effective
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act—</text>
<paragraph id="idE5A915584AE34BA7ABABF40D7200607B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>section 1003 of
title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="idD6FD44B76927443BA213CC9D9A1723BD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by adding at the end the following: <quote>No officer or employee shall be
paid compensation at a rate in excess of the rate for level I of the Executive
Schedule under section 5312 of title 5.</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC18570DB4C394E2ABA49D1E554FFA2F7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking
subsection (e); and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id82FCF40F31B942DCBDEEAA8B522E9767"><enum>(2)</enum><text>section 3686 of
title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="idDA232560E39B40FDAAAE612D73AA150D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by striking <quote>Subject to subsection (f), the Postal Service</quote>
and inserting <quote>The Postal Service</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8F8B8080B76D44E8B8312FC0557FBC3B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking
subsection (f).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal services and operations</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc6ade1008fc04fe68ae29259ee4e6733" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>201.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Maintenance of delivery service
standards</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id13be08762e3b41138ecdf4bf3f6f5396"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this section—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61f567e18b6846748744bf4043840e2c"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>plant service area</term>
means the geographic area served by a single sectional center facility, or a
corresponding successor facility, as designated by the Postal Service;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24ccc4874b444420a86ec1f40ccba46c"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>continental United
States</term> means the 48 contiguous States and the District of
Columbia.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8b4c959b2be64b329214ce6a21fec1fd"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Interim maintenance of
standards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">During the 3-year
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Postal
Service—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA2BCB4138FF843948A37169293D0C32F"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall maintain the service standards
described in subsection (c);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4C5FBCFE7A1C451AADB2BE49D502791C"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not establish a new or revised service
standard for market-dominant products under section 3691 of title 39, United
States Code, that is inconsistent with the requirements under subsection (c);
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id953ebfbc4df34ceaad5389ab4320be30"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall include in any new or revised
overnight service standard established for market-dominant products under
section 3691 of title 39, United States Code, a policy on changes to critical
entry times at post offices and business mail entry units that ensures that any
such changes maintain meaningful access to the services provided under the
service standard required to be maintained under subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAB28E89915544B0E9FBE967A2F7A66C5"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Service standards</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36c5359b65cc48fc8d75a7e7d17e469a"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Overnight standard for first-class mail and
periodicals</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id955d45e2459e4c49a6f4b4a7ec375c92"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the
Postal Service shall maintain an overnight service standard that provides
overnight service for first-class mail and periodicals that—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4e556707c3d2435eb09d82de4eaad413"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">originate and destinate in the same plant
service area; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id67b7ada157254092bdacd2d20b6b448c"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">enter the mails before the critical entry
time established and published by the Postal Service.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3aae00273c294a91ade6d7a3a6c97b8c"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Areas outside the continental United
States</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirements of
subparagraph (A) shall not apply to areas outside the continental United
States—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81F3125E36D54EF593070CA89B29E0C3"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of mail that originates or
destinates in a territory or possession of the United States that is part of a
plant service area having a sectional center facility that—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9E97130624DD49488D58ADFDB542ED36"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is not located in the territory or
possession; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA88C1621CEAA4F228301B2C39C5B92EF"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">was not located in the territory or
possession on January 1, 2012; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3CD429D9A8F14967A6467AAA25CCB41E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of mail not described in clause
(i), except to the extent that the requirements are consistent with the service
standards under part 121 of title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect
on January 1, 2012.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id236A27EFACD14846A5E965E5997691A6"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Two-day delivery for first-class
mail</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall
maintain a service standard that provides that first-class mail not delivered
overnight will be delivered within 2 delivery days, to the maximum extent
feasible using the network of postal facilities maintained to meet the
requirements under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3713907b90d6438683c10c41c1432411"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Maximum delivery time for first-class
mail</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id18DAB8FDF90B4E1EB6D746FE07E1BEA7"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall maintain a service
standard that provides that first-class mail will be delivered—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5cde1d73e0774085ab1d561b26106284"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">within a maximum of 3 delivery days, for
mail that originates and destinates within the continental United States;
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idedd34d68081c42699505e4130be88b00"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">within a maximum period of time consistent
with service standards under part 121 of title 39, Code of Federal Regulations,
as in effect on January 1, 2012, for mail originating or destinating outside
the continental United States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEAFC04E7B2A64E29A41F9412D6FA61BF"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Revisions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(ii), the
Postal Service may revise the service standards under part 121 of title 39,
Code of Federal Regulations for mail described in subparagraph (A)(ii) to take
into account transportation conditions (including the availability of
transportation) or other circumstances outside the control of the Postal
Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4b964bfc-f0c0-4b5c-bdd8-705594aeaf11" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>202.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Preserving mail processing
capacity</header>
<subsection id="id500767CAD08D46C7BFE87C5FF446019C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Closing or
consolidating certain postal facilities</header><text>Section 404 of title 39,
United States Code, is amended by adding after subsection (e) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCF8C357C1F8848AE9FBC966CAAAE6179" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddaaf20d0-cd86-47e6-9fa1-0f470e6ee18c"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Closing or consolidation of certain postal
facilities</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idac61367e-7fdd-4ad9-b902-fd340b0cfb01"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal facility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, the term <term>postal
facility</term>—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE179D915ABB04B4A940675F0D51E9D4B"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">means any Postal Service facility that is
primarily involved in the preparation, dispatch, or other physical processing
of mail; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idACC88308B35A48BD9240166286B17190"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not include—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf321295d-33ee-46d8-8105-b8f517220a46"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any post office, station, or branch;
or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id271b42c3-9a73-42ce-8268-5609ceb2c9d2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any facility used only for administrative
functions.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7492da5e-b8d3-4cf2-8124-caa10b703c17"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Area mail processing study</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida9d82c7b-8888-4fa6-b36c-eff52c907fbe"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">New area mail processing
studies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">After the date of
enactment of this subsection, before making a determination under subsection
(a)(3) as to the necessity for the closing or consolidation of any postal
facility, the Postal Service shall—</text>
<clause id="id5737E0A8A4EE435FB5BFAB234FFA0227"><enum>(i)</enum><text>conduct an area
mail processing study relating to that postal facility that includes—</text>
<subclause id="id56ABAC3B39BD48939B4AA7D939BDB010"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a plan to reduce
the capacity of the postal facility, but not close the postal facility;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idE92470BA4ECE461DBAF16D9DD7507341"><enum>(II)</enum><text>consideration of
the effect of the closure or consolidation of the postal facility on the
ability of individuals served by the postal facility to vote by mail and the
ability of the Postal Service to timely deliver ballots by mail in accordance
with the deadline to return ballots established under applicable State
law;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id830907da-0ceb-4cb2-b687-f9824fd7db47"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publish the study on the Postal Service
website; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfa285cbe-30f3-41a1-97b2-d7a0b91002c0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publish a notice that the study is complete
and available to the public, including on the Postal Service website.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf16f61bd-edfa-417e-978e-7c1d81c88f1d"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Completed or ongoing area mail processing
studies</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd1328f92-c95f-4be7-8b5c-032e42daba50"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a postal facility described
in clause (ii), the Postal Service shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id13640b94-98e9-4386-8f3f-0de0894095e9"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consider a plan to reduce the capacity of
the postal facility without closing the postal facility;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idB80AAB3383F2473B8F781F77D741297F"><enum>(II)</enum><text>consider the
effect of the closure or consolidation of the postal facility on the ability of
individuals served by the postal facility to vote by mail and the ability of
the Postal Service to timely deliver ballots by mail in accordance with the
deadline to return ballots established under applicable State law; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idEF393C7CCF194C1692C11F2959EF5650"><enum>(III)</enum><text>publish the
results of the consideration under subclause (I) with or as an amendment to the
area mail processing study relating to the postal facility.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id58b81d6f-cf60-4a6a-a13d-8a676a4af2a5"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal facilities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A postal facility described in this clause
is a postal facility for which, on or before the date of enactment of this
subsection—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id367901a8-31ec-4319-aefa-56c0de50bd5b"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an area mail processing study that does not
include a plan to reduce the capacity of the postal facility without closing
the postal facility or consideration of the effect of the closure or
consolidation of the postal facility on the ability of individuals served by
the postal facility to vote by mail and the ability of the Postal Service to
timely deliver ballots by mail in accordance with the deadline to return
ballots established under applicable State law has been completed;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8149F821A8D24CB6AB8C00B42E7EC77E"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an area mail processing study is in
progress; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id17cbeaa4-79f9-4718-84eb-2a9c936f3a02"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a determination as to the necessity for the
closing or consolidation of the postal facility has not been made.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida6c47148-5611-46c4-b444-8bc41d60f96c"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notice, public comment, and public
hearing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Postal Service
makes a determination under subsection (a)(3) to close or consolidate a postal
facility, the Postal Service shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id928957da-1d89-4a24-bd91-e9a673746f33"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide notice of the determination
to—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcd8418f3-dc0a-4972-800f-4e425d24575a"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Congress;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf69f4142-7afd-4463-a74f-cafdc87cfe54"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Regulatory Commission;
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5CD011AA71D4408D90E7E237180F0A7B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the chief executive of each State whose
residents are served by the postal facility, to allow the chief executive to
appoint a citizen’s service protection advocate under section 417;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4d59c4c4-4cb1-4441-a918-cde2ae928cd9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide adequate public notice of the
intention of the Postal Service to close or consolidate the postal
facility;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida174437f-8af5-415f-bc0e-40cb30de8f2e"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure that interested persons have an
opportunity to submit public comments during a 45-day period after the notice
of intention is provided under subparagraph (B);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5165178d-4f4b-401b-8a6c-f4964bd9c2d1"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">before the 45-day period described in
subparagraph (C), provide for public notice of that opportunity by—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id20893312-d812-4c29-873a-ab846ae9698f"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publication on the Postal Service
website;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3652174c-0696-4e25-a376-857539ae0526"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">posting at the affected postal facility;
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc9044931-61a9-44e2-bb06-f137572bcee4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">advertising the date and location of the
public community meeting under subparagraph (E); and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf5762007-3f11-45aa-9de8-9abef9bad881"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">during the 45-day period described in
subparagraph (C), conduct a public community meeting that provides an
opportunity for public comments to be submitted verbally or in writing.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4ab92e57-8eb2-4a80-b81c-a9a4ee9ab6e6"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Further considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not earlier than 30 days after the end of
the 45-day period for public comment under paragraph (3), the Postal Service,
in making a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility, shall
consider—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34b55301-fafb-402f-b315-d4a823f17362"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the views presented by interested persons
under paragraph (3);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3bd9e15e-e2f4-43a2-9eeb-9401e6940e83"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the effect of the closing or consolidation
on the affected community, including any disproportionate impact the closing or
consolidation may have on a State, region, or locality;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide6960217-d795-4374-989c-6cb3b82e1f29"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the effect of the closing or consolidation
on the travel times and distances for affected customers to access services
under the proposed closing or consolidation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57bdd467-8f66-4591-ab4d-2e10e3e8b596"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the effect of the closing or consolidation
on delivery times for all classes of mail;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7c6b13b2-f377-46e8-a1b8-dc2454d826ab"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any characteristics of certain geographical
areas, such as remoteness, broadband internet availability, and weather-related
obstacles to using alternative facilities, that may result in the closing or
consolidation having a unique effect;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id233D78298CAB405491B257F2B6C7ADB6"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the effect of the closing or consolidation
on small businesses in the area, including shipping and communications with
customers and suppliers and the corresponding impact on revenues, operations,
and growth; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5f03af72-2eaf-40bc-83fe-b83302f9fd0a"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other factor the Postal Service
determines is necessary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5148ddee-036f-46ad-8c87-3a9bdc3874a9"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Justification statement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Before the date on which the Postal Service
closes or consolidates a postal facility, the Postal Service shall post on the
Postal Service website a closing or consolidation justification statement that
includes—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbd28c584-67d0-4064-b423-fe048782b6bc"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a response to all public comments received
with respect to the considerations described under paragraph (4);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc859d05d-9dc5-4b2a-ba57-507eb0296bb1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the considerations made by
the Postal Service under paragraph (4); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide483a67d-0f1c-41ec-8885-bd3c3cf9ad48"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the actions that will be taken by the
Postal Service to mitigate any negative effects identified under paragraph
(4).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6271c243-439b-48d8-90e6-afa28437c00e"><enum>(6)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Closing or consolidation of postal
facilities</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbe31dbb5-5a7d-4aab-9baa-d8664dfd0fa2"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not earlier than the 15 days after posting
the final determination and the justification statement under paragraph (5)
with respect to a postal facility, the Postal Service may close or consolidate
the postal facility.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide365bd74-16ae-46bc-8b27-97c011f04064"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Alternative intake of mail</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Postal Service closes or
consolidates a postal facility under subparagraph (A), the Postal Service shall
make reasonable efforts to ensure continued mail receipt from customers of the
closed or consolidated postal facility at the same location or at another
appropriate location in close geographic proximity to the closed or
consolidated postal facility.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id002E41EDFB6E49EF8BC57664277CCD4F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Limitations</header>
<clause id="idE68DCEAF9D334F4CB8C5A2CBA8E827AF"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in clause (ii), during the 3-year
period beginning on the date of enactment of the
<short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>, the Postal Service may not close or consolidate a postal
facility if—</text>
<subclause id="id7DACA5B6168C4D8FBE6A28FBB6212244"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the closing or
consolidation prevents the Postal Service from maintaining service standards as
required under section 201 of the <short-title>21st
Century Postal Service Act of 2012</short-title>; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idCA2EAED6076D4437B1B17E6FF69AE38B"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the Postal
Service—</text>
<item id="id08EA3D0B730B4CD8A54797436B72166C"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>did not close or
consolidate the postal facility before May 15, 2012; and</text>
</item><item id="idEB9F708DE04A4E96AFE8A140C1670786"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>conducted an
area mail processing study with respect to the postal facility after January 1,
2006 that—</text>
<subitem id="idC5E9FA0E8D2A4C73824A928FF6824998"><enum>(AA)</enum><text>was terminated;
or</text>
</subitem><subitem id="idAE4862220C334DFD97DAFD247B8D0889"><enum>(BB)</enum><text>concluded that
no significant cost savings or efficiencies would result from closing or
consolidating the postal facility.</text>
</subitem></item></subclause></clause><clause id="id1EF367539DCF468496776D30704283F3"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Clause
(i) shall not apply with respect to a postal facility described in clause
(i)(II) for which—</text>
<subclause id="id5A33B90250B340F0968CE60DC45BC11B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>an audit under
clause (iii) concludes that the mail volume and operations of the facility have
changed since the date of termination or completion of an area mail processing
study described in clause (i)(II)(bb) to such an extent that the study is no
longer valid; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id9212324A86064C2390621ACE9430E9D5"><enum>(II)</enum><text>an area mail
processing study completed under this subsection concludes that the closing or
consolidation or the postal facility is justified, taking into consideration
the savings to the Postal Service and the impact of the closing or
consolidation on postal customers.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idBB635C8D74BF465394842A9C34314806"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Audit by
Inspector General</header>
<subclause id="idC204E4AD69F842BC922A1949D67488BA"><enum>(I)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Upon the written request of the Postmaster General, the
Inspector General shall conduct an audit of the mail volume and operations of a
postal facility.</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id69B62E62546447749643C0EB1C4ECAD5"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Completion</header><text>Not
later than 90 days after the date on which the Inspector General receives a
request under subclause (I), the Inspector General shall submit to the
Postmaster General and the Postal Regulatory Commission a report containing the
conclusions of the audit under subclause (I).</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id133CEA7D98B542BBA074C5A943929703"><enum>(7)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Review by Postal Regulatory
Commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In accordance with
section 3662—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id74E7A5537122419FB805D67E2B50FFB9"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an interested person may lodge a complaint
with the Postal Regulatory Commission if the person believes that the closure
or consolidation of a postal facility is not in conformance with applicable
service standards, including the service standards established under section
201 of the <short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>, or with the requirements of section 417 of this
title;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFB5AA7DCC06241399DD8FAF70AD7851E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if a complaint
described in subparagraph (A) is lodged relating to the closure or
consolidation of a postal facility, upon request by the person lodging the
complaint, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall determine whether—</text>
<clause id="id9AD83AE4657B463792D1199B4CAD4FE1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the area mail
processing study relating to the postal facility used an appropriate
methodology; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idEA87FD38F24A483182D25DF47612629A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the cost savings
identified in the area mail processing study relating to the postal facility
are accurate;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id65C2DC10D76E433C91EE8064A716FFB6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Postal
Regulatory Commission may direct the Postal Service to conduct another area
mail processing study or direct the Postal Service to take action as described
under subparagraph (D) if the Postal Regulatory Commission determines
that—</text>
<clause id="id6CCE2B2A7FA644D49C76A921B2C361BD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the area mail
processing study relating to the postal facility used an inappropriate
methodology; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idAD12A04D4F6D4C43823007C123CADC54"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the cost savings
identified in the area mail processing study relating to the postal facility
are inaccurate; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id780D1D5377E14E9193A8C0825A084FB6"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">if the Postal Regulatory Commission finds a
complaint lodged by an interested person to be justified, the Commission shall
order the Postal Service to take appropriate action to achieve compliance with
applicable service standards, including the service standards established under
section 201 of the <short-title>21st Century Postal
Service Act of 2012</short-title>, or with the requirements of section 417 of
this title, or to remedy the effects of any noncompliance.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9b250a27-ddb8-4388-8f7c-91de4c46aebf"><enum>(8)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal Service website</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of any notice required to be
published on the Postal Service website under this subsection, the Postal
Service shall ensure that the Postal Service website—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01a2c0ed-c5e7-4e14-b60f-f26600c4b4b9"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is updated routinely; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida26d8871-d3bc-4403-bc3e-5a0b015a0225"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provides any person, at the option of the
person, the opportunity to receive relevant updates by electronic mail.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8d5b49f894d94b3d88355169071a4cd0"><enum>(9)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Protection of certain
information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this
subsection may be construed to require the Postal Service to disclose—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8852A28D8B4D42EBB2AF28CE38334D96"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any proprietary data, including any
reference or citation to proprietary data; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3C3ED193EEAC4809AF976CB080A47D11"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any information relating to the security of
a postal
facility.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id07434AF53DDF428D967939503E782DA6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Complaints
relating to closing or consolidation of postal facilities</header><text>Section
3662 of title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id71B1652902B34CE6BC729E8285724E53"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(b), by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01A418B64B224F11A5ED1DB2F9A1A5D9" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="idFE198D28A02B411380738B8335E60B67"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Suspension of
effectiveness of determination to close or consolidate postal
facilities</header><text>The Postal Regulatory Commission shall suspend the
effectiveness of a determination by the Postal Service to close or consolidate
a postal facility until the disposition of any complaint challenging the
closing or consolidation on the basis that the closing or consolidation
is—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBED92DB82CAC4C50911C1B1337ADA68A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not in
conformance with service standards issued under section 3691, including the
service standards required to be maintained under section 201 of the 21st
Century Postal Service Act of 2012; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id32B2026C27FF4DF684155E3E667C524D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>unsupported by
evidence on the record that substantial economic savings are likely to be
achieved as a result of the closing or
consolidation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC7FFC8FE51324592AB77E1F213F7297C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection
(c), by inserting <quote>ordering the Postal Service to keep a postal facility
open,</quote> after <quote>loss-making products,</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd6691b069cbb4c6993092dc89376bf19" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>203.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment of retail service
standards</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbb01bf5d52b54583840c67c14f499171"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>retail
postal service</term> means service that allows a postal customer to—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id070c757932c54ab18071f0a909192a67"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">purchase postage;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id288ee54f3a16442d9544a35e19343f9d"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">enter packages into the mail; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7ab6b8d112e04e7ab292c6827101ac8b"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">procure other services offered by the
Postal Service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3959618e708f41c6a8545c01ba12a01f"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment of retail service
standards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 6
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall
exercise its authority under section 3691 of title 39, United States Code, to
establish service standards for market-dominant products in order to guarantee
customers of the Postal Service regular and effective access to retail postal
services nationwide (including in territories and possessions of the United
States) on a reasonable basis.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1852f37f1eaf44d7926c1686c9269b5c"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The service standards established under
subsection (b) shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8a6a459e403e425ab52ca836930b2361"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be consistent with—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida79b5ab9aee44dfba4560b98b8d1d42e"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the obligations of the Postal Service under
section 101(b) of title 39, United States Code; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id51b351ac744e46878e40fd3b22b96a20"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the contents of the plan developed under
section 302 of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (39 U.S.C.
3691 note), and any updated or revised plan developed under section 204 of this
Act; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4d27dc1fe25e479e8f058c3ab6f9c0db"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">take into account factors including—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2cda62448c2848fd89adb21476c127ec"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">geography, including the establishment of
standards for the proximity of retail postal services to postal customers,
including a consideration of the reasonable maximum time a postal customer
should expect to travel to access a postal retail location;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFCB9025FB8F646A19A7EE4EF39996D4F"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the importance of facilitating
communications for communities with limited or no access to Internet,
broadband, or cellular telephone services;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide3a9f814a1a848b0a72eb48b127109fb"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">population, including population density,
demographic factors such as the age, disability status, and degree of poverty
of individuals in the area to be served by a location providing postal retail
services, and other factors that may impact the ability of postal customers,
including businesses, to travel to a postal retail location;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89c206ab49f548c6966f27157d537836"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the feasibility of offering retail access
to postal services in addition to post offices, as described in section 302(d)
of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (39 U.S.C. 3691
note);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idacdfb205540b4b9091e6a755274efd67"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the requirement that the Postal Service
serve remote areas and communities with transportation challenges, including
communities in which the effects of inclement weather or other natural
conditions might obstruct or otherwise impede access to retail postal services;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71de8b638f2d4e6b96b36e792a8bc279"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the ability of postal customers to access
retail postal services in areas that were served by a post office that was
closed or consolidated during the 1 year period ending on the date of enactment
of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4e257b59a8ac4d3289cafe83fbda6f9d" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>204.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expanded retail access</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id40c4a1a3a1fe4342955f939ff777389c"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Updated plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall, in consultation with the
Commission, develop and submit to Congress a revised and updated version of the
plan to expand and market retail access to postal services required under
section 302(d) of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (39
U.S.C. 3691 note).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc80dca2f21fa420f91ab41743519a16f"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The plan required under subsection (a)
shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4ea6c92f90d04731866ea968374f94cd"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">include a consideration of methods to
expand and market retail access to postal services described in paragraphs (1)
through (8) of section 302(d) of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act
of 2006 (39 U.S.C. 3691 note);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7f1a233a5c16421d9b348dccdb833082"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">where possible, provide for an improvement
in customer access to postal services;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id03f875bda3a14ce0af2159dc9f3db32b"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consider the impact of any decisions by the
Postal Service relating to the implementation of the plan on rural areas,
communities, and small towns; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0bc5cdf58b584ae0908fdbf8d50279dd"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id607dd3ef7a694d999384fa7874b81af8"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">rural areas, communities, and small towns
continue to receive regular and effective access to retail postal services
after implementation of the plan; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0d508519b834404489358c1e33717938"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service solicits community input
in accordance with applicable provisions of Federal law.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0A5F83FF573E4AC48B09F3AE8D9D9B00"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Further updates</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service, in consultation with
the Commission, shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAC6F65D06C764EE78C6B5B3C482D1EE9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">update the plan required under subsection
(a) as the Postal Service determines is appropriate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4B8198202DA24E29A05AFC592FEFA7F6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit each update under paragraph (1) to
Congress.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idee79a8f2849b4a898dce0b6e960ca231" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>205.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Preserving community post offices</header>
<subsection id="idd1140310a68d461ea0581237c96480d5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Closing post
offices</header><text>Section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3c6a98107b9a4128b59793e367191121" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id239edb7583114cc9b86bab27d03babd2"><enum>(d)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id1000604191284AF79ECA7C9EB483D78B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Postal Service,
prior to making a determination under subsection (a)(3) of this section as to
the necessity for the closing or consolidation of any post office and, with
respect to a determination to close a post office in a rural area, as defined
by the Census Bureau, prior to making the determinations required by paragraph
(4), shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id341311c8ba1a404a9d4d0d707fff5888" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>consider whether—</text>
<clause id="id473b7a190daf49f5b65cac4543c43d1c"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to close the post office or
consolidate the post office and another post office located within a reasonable
distance;</text>
</clause><clause id="idf94ffcb932d7424f9a349242552f753d"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>instead of closing or
consolidating the post office—</text>
<subclause id="idecc707295a134e0780c8637f590af4f8"><enum>(I)</enum><text>to reduce the number of hours a day that
the post office operates; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idb93b0f8d3c554b5eb88d93eaf510a23e"><enum>(II)</enum><text>to continue operating the post office
for the same number of hours a day;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id9278bf1772554c61b7239ecdbbbb4a3d"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to procure a contract providing
full, or less than full, retail services in the community served by the post
office; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id7643F6599E2C49DA84FABF791D43F7CB"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>to provide postal services to the
community served by the post office—</text>
<subclause id="id2D2495082DA64A2793B314A0D9A8374C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>through a rural carrier; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idDBFA2A9A700748639D43A34F8548D2E4"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by co-locating an employee of the Postal
Service at a commercial or government entity;</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5a0fee8b54f44758b7486fae33e9e2c3" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide postal customers served by the
post office an opportunity to participate in a nonbinding survey conducted by
mail on a preference for an option described in subparagraph (A); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb5da314bd96b4b93bac74bcadb811e43" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if the Postal Service determines to
close or consolidate the post office, provide adequate notice of its intention
to close or consolidate such post office at least 60 days prior to the proposed
date of such closing or consolidation to—</text>
<clause id="id7215C3BEC7CA4BED8D651CF4106AA3EC" indent="down1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>persons served by
such post office to ensure that such persons will have an opportunity to
present their views; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id93BB77B138E04C70A3068E2AA0D86EDB" indent="down1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the chief
executive of each State whose residents are served by such post office to allow
the chief executive to appoint a citizen’s service protection advocate under
section 417.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0ed2ef31208546da9bb2616cb3a95a47" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Postal Service, in making a
determination whether or not to close or consolidate a post office—</text>
<subparagraph id="ide795dea5f27e4431948201f6acc3ef9a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall consider—</text>
<clause id="idde1ff842d012434eaddb6999d1572dc6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the effect of such closing or
consolidation on the community served by such post office;</text>
</clause><clause id="id141F1CA7D14B491F80783F9BA3FD204B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the effect of the closing or
consolidation on small businesses in the area, including shipping and
communications with customers and suppliers and the corresponding impact on
revenues, operations, and growth; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id343af87740e64a0f88a7f76a6d3a40b4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the effect of such closing or
consolidation on employees of the Postal Service employed at such
office;</text>
</clause><clause id="id68e246dd97d94c5d965eadafe41295c9"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>whether such closing or
consolidation is consistent with—</text>
<subclause id="id4860BDF0AA2E4C8DAE71A95F77A32C88"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the policy of the Government, as stated
in section 101(b) of this title, that the Postal Service shall provide a
maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas,
communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id449A34CAC7A5464B8B0D0DEBD59C0A78"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the retail service standards established
under section 203 of the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id9f68d981fd704efebcd8b91796ae2c8c"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the extent to which the community
served by the post office lacks access to Internet, broadband and cellular
phone service;</text>
</clause><clause id="id44a1041da81847a2a643aa2cea69d7be"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>whether substantial economic
savings to the Postal Service would result from such closing or consolidation;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="id99195bf0d5894329ac61b0a26512f252"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>such other factors as the Postal
Service determines are necessary; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf341c658ebc54ae48f35ce371a25874c"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may not consider compliance with any
provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et
seq.).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id53464b4bc1a54490a405c48021206b0c" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Any determination of the Postal
Service to close or consolidate a post office shall be in writing and shall
include the findings of the Postal Service with respect to the considerations
required to be made under paragraph (2) of this subsection and, with respect to
a determination to close a post office located in a rural area, as defined by
the Census Bureau, a summary of the determinations required under paragraph
(4). Such determination and findings shall be made available to persons served
by such post office.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id30EE655E2FBC4E85B2028D1741E34682" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Postal Service may not make a
determination under subsection (a)(3) to close a post office located in a rural
area, as defined by the Census Bureau, unless the Postal Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="id51B016D1C4A44C58A4127E4495124360"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2E6C768F28C64F4D8B35D856FD62982A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>determines that postal
customers served by the post office would continue after the closing to receive
substantially similar access to essential items, such as prescription
medications and time-sensitive communications, that are sent through the mail;
or</text>
</clause><clause id="id332D5A54C6BA4BB0A8A407E33585DEE5" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>takes action to substantially
ameliorate any projected reduction in access to essential items described in
clause (i); and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB73EEF3B3F33421697E63716462E1E82"><enum>(B)</enum><text>determines that—</text>
<clause id="id3F95415772C04437912196A05B9004CF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>businesses located in the community
served by the post office would not suffer substantial financial loss as a
result of the closing;</text>
</clause><clause id="id7B0435FD4AD44D2C89EA21E616B57763"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any economic loss to the community
served by the post office as a result of the closing does not exceed the cost
to the Postal Service of not closing the post office;</text>
</clause><clause id="id4BD9610FC19D4CA4A2B055A236D65C35"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the area served by the post
office has adequate access to wired broadband Internet service, as identified
on the National Broadband Map of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id61E3057ECCBD43E8BE4292D806E524B6"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>there is a road connecting the
community to another post office that is not more than 10 miles from the post
office proposed to be closed (as measured on roads with year-round
access).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6a1abdb37d2a47a9a459f1d017466de6" indent="up1"><enum>(5)(A)</enum><text>The Postal Service shall take no
action to close or consolidate a post office until 60 days after its written
determination is made available to persons served by such post office.</text>
<subparagraph id="idF5091B82301D486880440725493773A3" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Postal Service shall take no
action to close or consolidate a post office until 60 days after the Postal
Service provides written notice of the determination under paragraph (3)
to—</text>
<clause id="id5828EE7AACEA410391CF36E297F72763"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the State board of elections for the
State in which the post office is located; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id82468FEE19AF4F0FB98D47B6F8F33950"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>each local board of elections (or
equivalent local entity) having jurisdiction of an area served by the post
office.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1803f2bb19a14bccb9b6de47a467f19b" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>A determination of the Postal Service
to close or consolidate any post office, station, or branch may be appealed by
any person served by such office, station, or branch to the Postal Regulatory
Commission within 30 days after such determination is made available to such
person. The Commission shall review such determination on the basis of the
record before the Postal Service in the making of such determination. The
Commission shall make a determination based upon such review no later than 120
days after receiving any appeal under this paragraph. The Commission shall set
aside any determination, findings, and conclusions found to be—</text>
<subparagraph id="id01ffb21aba994c05badb25e2b6e788a3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of
discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id70621f417e984db092bd508595204369"><enum>(B)</enum><text>without observance of procedure
required by law;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id00a3d235190b4585baf183fda814b37d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>inconsistent with the delivery service
standards required to be maintained under section 201 of the 21st Century
Postal Service Act of 2012 or not in conformance with the retail service
standards established under section 203 of the
<short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4d04f550cc804227b8d9520c02a09e79"><enum>(D)</enum><text>unsupported by substantial evidence on
the record, including that substantial economic savings are likely to be
achieved as a result of the closing or consolidation.</text>
</subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph" indent="subsection">The Commission may affirm or reverse the
determination of the Postal Service or order that the entire matter be returned
for further consideration, but the Commission may not modify the determination
of the Postal Service. The determination of the Postal Service shall be
suspended until the final disposition of the appeal. The provisions of section
556, section 557, and chapter 7 of title 5 shall not apply to any review
carried out by the Commission under this paragraph.</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph id="idccc43c4812be49dc9aa895b0bc3915b3" indent="up1"><enum>(7)</enum><text>For purposes of paragraph (6), any
appeal received by the Commission shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id80ba8cda4e3243e6b0f37a658f78a86d"><enum>(A)</enum><text>if sent to the Commission through the
mails, be considered to have been received on the date of the Postal Service
postmark on the envelope or other cover in which such appeal is mailed;
or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1e77d6ab92f1482f9fa52244bb2dbf4f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if otherwise lawfully delivered to the
Commission, be considered to have been received on the date determined based on
any appropriate documentation or other indicia (as determined under regulations
of the Commission).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7e1714da9a474721a67125f38d21d708" indent="up1"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to limit the right under section 3662—</text>
<subparagraph id="idD1A2C647EB3E4FBF8547B4718C91C3A5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>of an interested person to lodge a
complaint with the Postal Regulatory Commission under section 3662 concerning
nonconformance with service standards, including the retail service standards
established under section 203 of the <short-title>21st
Century Postal Service Act of 2012</short-title>; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE73A5BD4CDF441F5BE54D426D9506138"><enum>(B)</enum><text>of the Postal Regulatory Commission,
if the Commission finds a complaint lodged by an interested person to be
justified, to order the Postal Service to take appropriate action to achieve
compliance with applicable requirements, including the retail service standards
established under section 203 of the <short-title>21st
Century Postal Service Act of 2012</short-title>, or to remedy the effects of
any
noncompliance.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id902480B56A224BFAB8BAE2119439479C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibition on
closing post offices</header>
<paragraph id="id772D32FF560A406992385C6F91398863"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Moratorium
pending establishment of service standards</header><text>Notwithstanding
section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, as amended by this section,
during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on
the date on which the Postal Service establishes the service standards under
section 203 of this Act, the Postal Service may not close a post office, except
as required for the immediate protection of health and safety.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB46258F03AD34A3EAA88A3694F16162B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Moratorium on
closing rural post offices</header>
<subparagraph id="id72E9074BDF6E41DAB027BD274796D144"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection or
section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, during the 12-month period
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service may not
close a post office located in a rural area, as defined by the Census Bureau,
except as required for the immediate protection of health and safety, or unless
there is no significant community opposition to such closure.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF9DBEAAED5D843BD847E4852E379B4A1"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
limit the authority of the Postal Service to implement, consistent with the
procedures under section 404(d)(1)(B) of title 39, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, cost-saving measures with respect to the post offices
described in subparagraph (A), including, as appropriate, the measures required
to be considered under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of section 404(d)(1)(A) of
title 39, United States Code, as amended by this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id0D1749CA70A04277A95BDC7C720DA9D6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Moratorium To
protect the ability of voters To vote absentee or by
mail</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this subsection or
subsection (d) or (f) of section 404 of title 39, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act and ending on November 13, 2012, the Postal Service may not close or
consolidate a post office or postal facility located in a State that conducts
all elections by mail or permits no-excuse absentee voting, except as required
for the immediate protection of health and safety.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id2F5E447B4E9940BBA95DEE95D516AF17"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Historic post
offices</header><text>Section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, as
amended by this section, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7199C34C3BBC4B72A4FE1FAB8BC68452" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD5ED584285854ED2841677B76FC1BC54" indent="up1"><enum>(9)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id192CBB8CF0F14984A4FE095A15E5D6CA"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this paragraph, the term <term>historic
post office building</term> means a post office building that is a certified
historic structure, as that term is defined in section 47(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7BBAAA211DF248A3A8C55F0FE90CD1B7" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a post office that has been
closed and that is located within a historic post office building, the Postal
Service shall provide Federal agencies and State and local government entities
the opportunity to lease the historic post office building, if—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfb41487ac91f4629a963b7141167981c"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service is unable to sell the
building at an acceptable price within a reasonable period of time after the
post office has been closed; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1686d9940a214587a1a3365423dca568"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Federal agency or State or local
government entity that leases the building agrees to—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id130cf288f2014bf3b2da7730ce31fa71"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">restore the historic post office building
at no cost to the Postal Service;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8fb81b65f4ea410b983d94e6218d0f8f"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">assume responsibility for the maintenance
of the historic post office building; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0723fd9986e847aa935a6133540b8ed4"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make the historic post office building
available for public
use.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd7b26374-985e-4252-9630-451233bdc2e9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>206.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Area and district office structure</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5f0f9428-9a3d-4fd7-bca6-d03914a3d669"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Plan required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Oversight and Governmental Reform of the House of Representatives—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7769ec58-3cb2-47c0-8c53-c7d1dd147708"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a comprehensive strategic plan to govern
decisions relating to area and district office structure that considers
efficiency, costs, redundancies, mail volume, technological advancements,
operational considerations, and other issues that may be relevant to
establishing an effective area and district office structure; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8748f95-9215-4b11-9c2d-ddc8d6d1c6ff"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a 10-year plan, including a timetable, that
provides for consolidation of area and district offices within the continental
United States (as defined in section 201(a)) wherever the Postal Service
determines a consolidation would—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id27569293-84a9-4b08-98c0-5590d0f5ca15"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be cost effective; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id441ff560-b55d-491e-8e07-0848d63a49fb"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not substantially and adversely affect the
operations of the Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id945b2e3c-a913-4870-8214-54a0eb89130f"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Consolidation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Beginning not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall, consistent with the
plans required under and the criteria described in subsection (a)—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida43a630f-50c8-4a2c-aa7b-085b6a02195d"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consolidate district offices that are
located within 50 miles of each other;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4005637d-d9bb-4f4c-a8d5-e23837bd5970"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consolidate area and district offices that
have less than the mean mail volume and number of work hours for all area and
district offices; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc1999aaf-490e-46ee-a155-9a3c78b43c4f"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">relocate area offices to
headquarters.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id22052d40-d259-4cd2-a000-9f52f4f990a6"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Updates</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall update the plans
required under subsection (a) not less frequently than once every 5
years.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE9336BE21EC247BFB40F05F909CF6DCB"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">State liaison</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Postal Service does not maintain a
district office in a State, the Postal Service shall designate at least 1
employee of the district office responsible for Postal Service operations in
the State to represent the needs of Postal Service customers in the State. An
employee designated under this subsection to represent the needs of Postal
Service customers in a State shall be located in that State.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id62d9b168-0e88-4225-96f2-cfe2c9e33c06" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>207.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limitations on changes to mail delivery
schedule</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id263085ac-35e8-4ad9-be90-b6b1e4053759"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limitation on change in
schedule</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any
other provision of law—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddad276d1-695e-4caf-a897-e130a9d7d760"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service may not establish a
general, nationwide delivery schedule of 5 or fewer days per week to street
addresses under the authority of the Postal Service under title 39, United
States Code, earlier than the date that is 24 months after the date of
enactment of this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id395579f3-dfb3-420d-833d-9cc8c351a342"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">on or after the date that is 24 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service may establish a
general, nationwide 5-day-per-week delivery schedule to street addresses under
the authority of the Postal Service under section 3691 of title 39, United
States Code, only in accordance with the requirements and limitations under
this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id250a01da-a688-40f8-b0d1-206be267bfc1"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Preconditions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Postal Service intends to establish
a change in delivery schedule under subsection (a)(2), the Postal Service
shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id868a1c61-c270-4a12-ab34-eb26ae1bf7d3"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identify customers, communities, and small
businesses for whom the change may have a disproportionate, negative impact,
including the customers identified as <quote>particularly affected</quote> in
the Advisory Opinion on Elimination of Saturday Delivery issued by the
Commission on March 24, 2011;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61a32a2b-93f6-42a9-8bd4-a45fe0d04fe9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">develop, to the maximum extent possible,
measures to ameliorate any disproportionate, negative impact the change would
have on customers and communities identified under paragraph (1), including,
where appropriate, providing or expanding access to mailboxes for periodical
mailers on days on which the Postal Service does not provide delivery;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2ef11321-5005-4892-901c-b5f1950d77a1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">implement measures to increase revenue and
reduce costs, including the measures authorized under the amendments made by
sections 101, 102, 103, 207, and 211 of this Act;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idab5f2f54-be94-4374-b819-8a14623eff10"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">evaluate whether any increase in revenue or
reduction in costs resulting from the measures implemented under paragraph (3)
are sufficient to allow the Postal Service, without implementing a change in
delivery schedule under subsection (a), to achieve long-term solvency;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id209ce3e5-91cd-457b-89d7-081aa17ffa2c"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not earlier than 15 months after the date
of enactment of this Act and not later than 9 months before the effective date
proposed by the Postal Service for the change, submit a report on the steps the
Postal Service has taken to carry out this subsection to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id849dff9a-e37e-4f4e-adf4-6a8c08b4de17"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of Representatives;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b025243-f653-49d2-8574-a09fb50a515a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Comptroller General of the United
States; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8e9d527-edd1-4dcb-887e-68def503facc"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Commission.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5f4245ae-3596-4bf5-9c90-3cb304a58d10"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Review</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6cfa9331-4759-42c6-9bcc-2feb07d6bb2b"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Government accountability
office</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 3
months after the date on which the Postal Service submits a report under
subsection (b)(5), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Commission and
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives a report that contains findings relating to each of the
following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id700c1d72-4c3f-43de-bcf6-22b010f7a6b4"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Whether the Postal Service has adequately
complied with subsection (b)(3), taking into consideration the statutory
authority of and limitations on the Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91040644-52de-4819-a08c-7591e7a2dfa7"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The accuracy of any statement by the Postal
Service that the measures implemented under subsection (b)(3) have increased
revenues or reduced costs, and the accuracy of any projection by the Postal
Service relating to increased revenue or reduced costs resulting from the
measures implemented under subsection (b)(3).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideada7e70-0f91-4231-8298-e3d6a78c216f"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The adequacy and methodological soundness
of any evaluation conducted by the Postal Service under subsection (b)(4) that
led the Postal Service to assert the necessity of a change in delivery schedule
under subsection (a)(2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf4203716-e7db-40c7-a79e-df39ac31eb57"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Whether, based on an analysis of the
measures implemented by the Postal Service to increase revenues and reduce
costs, projections of increased revenue and cost savings, and the details of
the profitability plan required under section 401, a change in delivery
schedule is necessary to allow the Postal Service to achieve long-term
solvency.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5d6736cd-81c9-4dbd-a2e9-a2bba441fbfb"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal regulatory commission</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id478a570e-3ccd-4faa-96ec-6e7eddd57533"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Request</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 6 months before the proposed
effective date of a change in delivery schedule under subsection (a), the
Postal Service shall submit to the Commission a request for an advisory opinion
relating to the change.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idae6935d0-859f-4732-938a-746e9ee2ad0e"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Advisory opinion</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc361bafb-442a-4188-8d02-87550acecc19"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide4da8083-dd1b-4cb6-a258-444cd640672b"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">issue an advisory opinion with respect to a
request under subparagraph (A), in accordance with the time limits for the
issuance of advisory opinions under section 3661(b)(2) of title 39, United
States Code, as amended by this Act; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide7f41c7d-1609-47e9-a83d-a7cfb92561e4"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit the advisory opinion to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2594b090-bf6c-463e-8cba-58f2ef6dfce2"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Required determinations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An advisory opinion under clause (i) shall
determine—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id96f7ffef-9582-4550-95e0-b49080c60b25"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whether the measures developed under
subsection (b)(2) ameliorate any disproportionate, negative impact that a
change in schedule may have on customers, communities, and small businesses
identified under subsection (b)(1); and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida532c928-7ea9-43db-8005-128931934b75"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">based on the report submitted by the
Comptroller General under paragraph (1)—</text>
<item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf50c49c5-4f85-469d-99a1-695365bd5035"><enum>(aa)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whether the Postal Service has implemented
measures to increase revenue and reduce costs as required under subsection
(b)(3);</text>
</item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide1986e3b-8e9f-4af8-a0f6-38e83e6db1e5"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whether the implementation of the measures
described in item (aa) has increased revenues or reduced costs, or is projected
to further increase revenues or reduce costs in the future; and</text>
</item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfb30be0f-f8da-4610-b67e-5d1da24a035e"><enum>(cc)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whether a change in schedule under
subsection (a)(2) is necessary to allow the Postal Service to achieve long-term
solvency.</text>
</item></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89cd862c-0c4c-4605-b4ce-8987b1515287"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Prohibition on implementation of change in
schedule</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service
may not implement a change in delivery schedule under subsection (a)(2)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id30c94338-f1d8-4d4e-9740-d43324e1e8c2"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">before the date on which the Comptroller
General submits the report required under paragraph (1); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id76829213-1365-46a1-9176-b8dcf1451acd"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">unless the Commission determines under
paragraph (2)(B)(ii)(II)(cc) that the Comptroller General has concluded that
the change is necessary to allow the Postal Service to become profitable by
fiscal year 2015 and to achieve long-term solvency, without regard to whether
the Commission determines that the change is advisable.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id554046da-fb2d-455f-8f16-66e7194a588f"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional limitations</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id53fcc525-b8bc-48e5-bdde-b305e408a535"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rules of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0a505527-0292-4dab-9747-ea9221b0ec76"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">authorize the reduction, or require an
increase, in delivery frequency for any route for which the Postal Service
provided delivery on fewer than 6 days per week on the date of enactment of
this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6a5fabb4-bca5-482b-b6cb-d1bc845fb062"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">authorize any change in—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id227bf2b1-4400-49bf-99d0-75ad01a8ed76"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the days and times that postal retail
service or any mail acceptance is available at postal retail facilities or
processing facilities; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfde5d744-daa3-46e0-b00e-1798ee85ac65"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the locations at which postal retail
service or mail acceptance occurs at postal retail facilities or processing
facilities;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id13d45583-f0eb-4cc6-b0aa-7d135291fade"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">authorize any change in the frequency of
delivery to a post office box;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4ee715e8-69f8-4158-b2c9-1d8cd78d39de"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">prohibit the collection or delivery of a
competitive mail product on a weekend, a recognized Federal holiday, or any
other specific day of the week; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc7d48c0d-46d2-4c32-96e0-d8240609b136"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">prohibit the Postal Service from exercising
its authority to make changes to processing or retail networks.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf728b0fa-79a1-4f6e-a0f3-1e1c06c5259d"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Prohibition on consecutive days without
mail delivery</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal
Service shall ensure that, under any change in schedule under subsection
(a)(2), at no time shall there be more than 2 consecutive days without mail
delivery to street addresses, including recognized Federal holidays.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id980B0C8BF36B4DA0BE2833F8BC9E508B"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>long-term
solvency</term> means the ability of the Postal Service to pay debts and meet
expenses, including the ability to perform maintenance and repairs, make
investments, and maintain financial reserves, as necessary to fulfill the
requirements and comply with the policies of title 39, United States Code, and
other obligations of the Postal Service over the long term.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4b5497d6-a2f8-4a31-9e55-15db017eb37f" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>208.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Time limits for consideration of service
changes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3661 of title
39, United States Code, is amended by striking subsections (b) and (c) and
inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd6e5482a-62cd-4bdf-816c-57c0a6cad599" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id05048022-63ca-4cf0-9f3b-19121ff94f46"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Proposed changes for market-dominant
products</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7f9b3b55-9baf-49c0-9061-b654d0d6f2fe"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Submission of proposal</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Postal Service determines that there
should be a change in the nature of postal services relating to market-dominant
products that will generally affect service on a nationwide or substantially
nationwide basis, the Postal Service shall submit a proposal to the Postal
Regulatory Commission requesting an advisory opinion on the change.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5642cf67-90bb-4c3f-8638-8df0189a49a8"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Advisory opinion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Upon receipt of a proposal under paragraph
(1), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id69588204-98a7-4fbb-b71d-f742e2dea976"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide an opportunity for public comment
on the proposal; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaf77d604-09d2-4bc6-b0f3-1b025f42bcdf"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">issue an advisory opinion not later
than—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8199cb20-838b-461b-803b-957bb72319b1"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">90 days after the date on which the Postal
Regulatory Commission receives the proposal; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id081410b3-1c85-43ce-831b-e328cfbe3a94"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a date that the Postal Regulatory
Commission and the Postal Service may, not later than 1 week after the date on
which the Postal Regulatory Commission receives the proposal, determine
jointly.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id07FAB95080314FEE836D371F080EE594"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Response to opinion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall submit to the
President and to Congress a response to an advisory opinion issued under
paragraph (2) that includes—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7598386130304668A94A2BF0EC842956"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a statement of whether the Postal Service
plans to modify the proposal to address any concerns or implement any
recommendations made by the Commission; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6BE8177E8E784F2A87A3756821D9CDEE"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for any concern that the Postal Service
determines not to address and any recommendation that the Postal Service
determines not to implement, the reasons for the determination.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id93d69902-84d9-4b7b-accb-b4dac6c13f3b"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Action on proposal</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service may take action
regarding a proposal submitted under paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80a8601e-2cc1-4a48-bedd-6969e447640a"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">on or after the date that is 30 days after
the date on which the Postal Service submits the response required under
paragraph (3);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0a4cddbc-1a34-4171-ac95-8aeb9320fe01"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">on or after a date that the Postal
Regulatory Commission and the Postal Service may, not later than 1 week after
the date on which the Postal Regulatory Commission receives a proposal under
paragraph (2), determine jointly; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf2463cc4-8f81-4830-82ba-538586754e1c"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">after the date described in paragraph
(2)(B), if—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id422e7bcc-32d5-468f-b3ba-ec9ff4b6f3b2"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Regulatory Commission fails to
issue an advisory opinion on or before the date described in paragraph (2)(B);
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcb5be127-3866-47fb-8fdf-35d1e91d7744"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the action is not otherwise prohibited
under Federal law.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd15a303f-fecd-43c4-a8bd-120c3144411b"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification of timeline</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">At any time, the Postal Service and the
Postal Regulatory Commission may jointly redetermine a date determined under
paragraph (2)(B)(ii) or
(4)(B).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1277a645-b58d-435d-bc45-a0f6da81ce56" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>209.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Public procedures for significant changes
to mailing specifications</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id67762805-42d1-456d-80c4-cc8e8ef83a95"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notice and opportunity for comment
required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective on the
date on which the Postal Service issues a final rule under subsection (c),
before making a change to mailing specifications that could pose a significant
burden to the customers of the Postal Service and that is not reviewed by the
Commission, the Postal Service shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc839d228-fbfc-44e7-9891-e2db0fec6cdd"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publish a notice of the proposed change to
the specification in the Federal Register;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide151a62f-2e27-4f6f-aecc-67eb5a5c262b"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide an opportunity for the submission
of written comments concerning the proposed change for a period of not less
than 30 days;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id22c1afc4-b89a-4432-b267-2f2993d09b5a"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">after considering any comments submitted
under paragraph (2) and making any modifications to the proposed change that
the Postal Service determines are necessary, publish—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd27d45a1-1ccb-4adc-bb5c-a41195570f6c"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the final change to the specification in
the Federal Register;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd701327c-c213-4056-aff2-2481c30a0dca"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">responses to any comments submitted under
paragraph (2); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5f4c8dfa-7441-4ecf-868d-c1d7e28481e6"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an analysis of the financial impact that
the proposed change would have on—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd0c4432c-902b-47d7-8fa6-c0a18b9a3ef6"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4408cb11-79c7-47e7-b36a-e9ed76ccd1d7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the customers of the Postal Service that
would be affected by the proposed change; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd7a1fdd4-b004-43e7-8203-bece37236606"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish an effective date for the change
to mailing specifications that is not earlier than 30 days after the date on
which the Postal Service publishes the final change under paragraph (3).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id00c5390e-3b21-4936-ae55-cfeecbe194ec"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exception for good cause</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Postal Service determines that there
is an urgent and compelling need for a change to a mailing specification
described in subsection (a) in order to avoid demonstrable harm to the
operations of the Postal Service or to the public interest, the Postal Service
may—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idad85bd56-3cc8-4a8e-92b3-36b91587017b"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">change the mailing specifications
by—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01e83dfa-bba0-4c48-9d75-bf73b82835f6"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">issuing an interim final rule that—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida787fe1f-22e0-44c7-bd70-ce26304767ba"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">includes a finding by the Postal Service
that there is good cause for the interim final rule;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3be3752c-8a3f-451d-99a2-c25be990f9cf"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provides an opportunity for the submission
of written comments on the interim final rule for a period of not less than 30
days; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc2a92afa-9986-403f-8aaa-2c9844887df8"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establishes an effective date for the
interim final rule that is not earlier than 30 days after the date on which the
interim final rule is issued; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8e738a33-eb3a-4686-b5ee-02484cbd72e4"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publishing in the Federal Register a
response to any comments submitted under subparagraph (A)(ii); and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id073d79b8-67c9-4bff-b0ef-382b46f5bc5f"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">waive the requirement under paragraph
(1)(A)(iii) or subsection (a)(4).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb5877d47-4bd4-49c5-8108-c21f021ecc39"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rules relating to notice and
comment</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfc581ccb-081c-43a6-9b70-5bb58e5435dd"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall issue rules governing the
provision of notice and opportunity for comment for changes in mailing
specifications under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71720c9a-54f7-4bf3-8f01-e15e64757db4"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rules</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In issuing the rules required under
paragraph (1), the Postal Service shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2b13eb80-14be-46c3-b777-f82379b54c95"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in
the Federal Register that includes proposed definitions of the terms
<quote>mailing specifications</quote> and <quote>significant
burden</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2b41bc11-273d-4f4f-a24d-5b0ebf2ca921"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide an opportunity for the submission
of written comments concerning the proposed change for a period of not less
than 30 days; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide31b90f5-7e7c-4085-9ab1-3f5dd6140443"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publish—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideaa7fbac-28ed-411b-a2ea-ae6040b2e2ca"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the rule in final form in the Federal
Register; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcc664a3f-c12e-4ad3-b62a-2827a07a40ae"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">responses to the comments submitted under
subparagraph (B).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide910970d-0c34-431f-8f8a-7653a36d8984" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>210.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nonpostal products and services</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id941766ac-e494-4b31-beb8-86151d565c8d"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 404 of title 39, United States
Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id138d0156-b376-4043-a78a-8a464ea2054a"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2318f0b7-c5c3-42a5-9fe3-3d01b719b029"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8)
as paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3aedc6e6-9c3f-4e41-bb80-cdc0f576392c"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after paragraph (5) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb3897e91-4cd4-49b5-9f79-6fa127daf540" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6fbae9c9-89c5-4461-bf12-c56ccf9db523"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">after the date of enactment of the
<short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>, and except as provided in subsection (e), to provide other
services that are not postal services, after the Postal Regulatory
Commission—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida190f392-e5db-4ad0-b41f-0283b0ab6841"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">makes a determination that the provision of
such services—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4deb48ee-2d07-4e64-b739-ff42398d76eb"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">uses the processing, transportation,
delivery, retail network, or technology of the Postal Service;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id191a42ff-5aa8-4504-a615-b2a4db1a2fe2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is consistent with the public interest and
a demonstrated or potential public demand for—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id96520582026748B2AD30310426867E26"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service to provide the services
instead of another entity providing the services; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id790A10617131430A902CA1AD07D88F5E"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service to provide the services
in addition to another entity providing the services;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80626585-0fbd-4d85-b5e6-07c937a2caff"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">would not create unfair competition with
the private sector, taking into consideration the extent to which the Postal
Service will not, either by legal obligation or voluntarily, comply with any
State or local requirements that are generally applicable to persons that
provide the services;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5536f43156044777906b71555f76bc8e"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">will be undertaken in accordance with all
Federal laws generally applicable to the provision of such services; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd62bca19-8962-4cd4-b3c3-e6f6187e078d"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has the potential to improve the net
financial position of the Postal Service, based on a market analysis provided
to the Postal Regulatory Commission by the Postal Service; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5028d219-b66f-4159-8904-837c2e9c8b43"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for services that the Postal Regulatory
Commission determines meet the criteria under subparagraph (A), classifies each
such service as a market-dominant product, competitive product, or experimental
product, as required under chapter 36 of title 39, United States
Code;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id64f3e1b3-b227-4eb4-a545-98e8a0f648a6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (e)(2), by striking
<quote>Nothing</quote> and all that follows through <quote>except that
the</quote> and inserting <quote>The</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD622F54BA70F40D8A03A288BCBEE6029"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Complaints</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 3662(a) of title 39, United States
Code, is amended by inserting <quote>404(a)(6)(A),</quote> after
<quote>403(c),</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id204f9c91-ccce-410a-8c60-46de0e28c782"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Market analysis</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">During the 5-year period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall submit a copy of any
market analysis provided to the Commission under section 404(a)(6)(A)(v) of
title 39, United States Code, as amended by this section, to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id112639ab9e364c2f82bb785f7994d7dc" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>211.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chief Innovation Officer; innovation
strategy</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcf5379a0c77940a08cfdba76e97633f7"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chief innovation officer</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id82574FC14B324135967A6B773079F7DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chapter 2 of title 39, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id95DD6177A1BB4330B4D4BADD4348D0FB" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8ba7e56b6e8f4a73b8315a7fe01b5118" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>209.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chief innovation officer</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id78b69d86df934fcdbe477c59632d01b8"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There shall be in the Postal Service a
Chief Innovation Officer appointed by the Postmaster General.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id23956e6e399b4397915c0db4ef84cff3"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Qualifications</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Chief Innovation Officer shall have
proven expertise and a record of accomplishment in areas such as—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2c2c9ffc3ec4444893901eff05578ca5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the postal and shipping industry;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf7be648d63f24aa6b782be964dba92d0"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">innovative product research and
development;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2ad586a7603d46b284329f5bb690e467"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">brand marketing strategy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5bc4245fe6bc434c81345ac8e7ffe5fd"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">new and emerging technology, including
communications technology; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8954561921f34321ad1422c1cb0fa4fe"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">business process management.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfdae261457e84555915084ce86a366e2"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duties</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Chief Innovation Officer shall lead the
development and implementation of—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b95db92cfc24b32b076a7cab0b554da"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">innovative postal products and services,
particularly products and services that use new and emerging technology,
including communications technology, to improve the net financial position of
the Postal Service; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id02009e62e3d142cab19422574d6cf9eb"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">nonpostal products and services authorized
under section 404(a)(6) that have the potential to improve the net financial
position of the Postal Service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id52f622931e0d46b8bc0e4292bce7659d"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadline</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postmaster General shall appoint a
Chief Innovation Officer not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
the <short-title>21st Century Postal Service Act of
2012</short-title>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6c61cc9ac67b49ce8781d9f874779948"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Condition</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id352fa5a8eae44171b1fb1db505ee63b8"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Chief Innovation Officer may not hold
any other office or position in the Postal Service while serving as Chief
Innovation Officer.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id56fef024186447ea8315233c0cbc7ed2"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rule of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id35697c3a0de745d28e6d8da81cf53ca8"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
sections for chapter 2 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id256c86d6-b47b-43d7-81f8-e0047e60df73" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="id8ba7e56b6e8f4a73b8315a7fe01b5118" level="section">209. Chief innovation
officer.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id667277a7f75640b8bb79d9cdf70cd90a"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Innovation strategy</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb4df3df6ca0415eb1b9ce9d6ca7c812"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Initial report on innovation
strategy</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf51970315f204cd1b71c99931d63da74"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General, acting through the Chief
Innovation Officer, shall submit a report that contains a comprehensive
strategy (referred to in this subsection as the <quote>innovation
strategy</quote>) for improving the net financial position of the Postal
Service through innovation, including the offering of new postal and nonpostal
products and services, to—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfcfdd77f7ef24bd88ca8a29b568dc4a4"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81cc5f5dff2b4213bae3663042d40146"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1ee3abaee948435f9bcc83971c569304"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Matters to be addressed</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">At a minimum, the report on innovation
strategy required under subparagraph (A) shall describe—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7de0e17efd0944038525a04718416c3a"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the specific innovative postal and
nonpostal products and services to be developed and offered by the Postal
Service, including—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6D11F276162A4FCFB6CAF0F2CF877B6C"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the nature of the market demand to be
satisfied by each product or service; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id299045B6F0B44742B08106D23FB03346"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the estimated date by which each product or
service will be introduced;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8efbe303da8d49889a554fbcb8efeb6b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the cost of developing and offering each
product or service;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf4675729e93c425eae8c79fa09f60e75"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the anticipated sales volume for each
product or service;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbd4bfb858f58414f9bc1cc58b9aab94d"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the anticipated revenues and profits to be
generated by each product or service;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida0a232bd79694eb78e4d9dba3edf3fc3"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the likelihood of success of each product
or service and the risks associated with the development and sale of each
product or service;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73634128ab0d4f29bad7f86536455dcc"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the trends anticipated in market conditions
that may affect the success of each product or service during the 5-year period
beginning on the date of the submission of the report under subparagraph
(A);</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7e123a05c7b34365a25520608e3a8e5f"><enum>(vii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any innovations designed to improve the net
financial position of the Postal Service, other than the offering of new
products and services; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id07c749d3b1d1495c8e76c6446a183e5d"><enum>(viii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the metrics that will be used to assess the
effectiveness of the innovation strategy.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8987cc1a2a064d8e83a71e007c0d18fa"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual report</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1929dce6129c4834ab90acd3865dceae"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the
submission of the initial report containing the innovation strategy under
paragraph (1), and annually thereafter for 10 years, the Postmaster General,
acting through the Chief Innovation Officer, shall submit a report on the
implementation of the innovation strategy to—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f7ab07bd1b448b18335e06e4abc57d5"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id74af6eb0c13d4916b5b73ce7b8ffc750"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaba25c2f516e4e42891691eaaf1ff729"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Matters to be addressed</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">At a minimum, an annual report submitted
under subparagraph (A) shall include—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id188975f63aa541f2bc084bd3683e29f6"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an update of the initial report on
innovation strategy submitted under paragraph (1);</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idca9be091bbb545d69cdfa72fc4aef9ab"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the progress made by the
Postal Service in implementing the products, services, and other innovations
described in the initial report on innovation strategy;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1d700948ddaf477f860c04b6e94a0b25"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an analysis of the performance of each
product, service, or other innovation described in the initial report on
innovation strategy, including—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id62472510cfde4d03b79c7c5588742f64"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the revenue generated by each product or
service developed in accordance with the innovation strategy under this section
and the cost of developing and offering each product or service for the
preceding year;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id474bdc75cd9f47d5a41a7d7ac9c94c8d"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">trends in each market in which a product or
service is intended to satisfy a demand;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id98c4678bf752473cb863cb5a9d8ef761"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each product or service identified in the
innovation strategy that is to be discontinued, the date on which each
discontinuance will occur, and the reasons for each discontinuance;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id90d91de68330442693cf23bfd1d24b16"><enum>(IV)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each alteration that the Postal Service
plans to make to a product or service identified in the innovation strategy to
address changing market conditions and an explanation of how each alteration
will ensure the success of the product or service;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99ba76ebb7b747cd8eddab59248b4387"><enum>(V)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the performance of innovations other than
new products and services that are designed to improve the net financial
position of the Postal Service; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31a18d1ecabd47d2a5f55eef1e1dc5f1"><enum>(VI)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the performance of the innovation strategy
according to the metrics described in paragraph (1)(B)(viii).</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida294dae2e2394d7bb366b7441f470fbd" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>212.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Strategic Advisory Commission on Postal
Service Solvency and Innovation</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id313b747425c44356bb587856737a7497"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF42AB46BBF974967A1F61577580396FB"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established in the Postal Service
a Strategic Advisory Commission on Postal Service Solvency and Innovation (in
this section referred to as the <quote>Advisory Commission</quote>).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC34814EA9D8F4831A63EDEC0A224B736"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Independence</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission shall not be
subject to the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Postal Service (in
this section referred to as the <quote>Board of Governors</quote>), the
Postmaster General, or any other officer or employee of the Postal
Service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2297344d683e4e2285686bbcecbfe145"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Purpose</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The purpose of the Advisory Commission
is—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf6e0e80f4ab74138b127fb8d36a7c084"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to provide strategic guidance to the
President, Congress, the Board of Governors, and the Postmaster General on
enhancing the long-term solvency of the Postal Service; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfcf8d6e57d61432684f4c5140f6c2e48"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to foster innovative thinking to address
the challenges facing the Postal Service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73741fa778bc4fbe9099aba379c1f2a2"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Membership</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaaf969edd0324781b2bc54a40702a242"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Composition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission shall be composed
of 7 members, of whom—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb93dc13092dc49c9bf3336697b9343ff"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">3 members shall be appointed by the
President, who shall designate 1 member appointed under this subparagraph to
serve as Chairperson of the Advisory Commission; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0e3f92c67a394cefbaae093419d32f97"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">1 member shall be appointed by each
of—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID14FA5A08770B4AD2B9ABDA12D0C8F5B1"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the majority leader of the Senate;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID21EE31E7509640DA946786B9C0C6B7C3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the minority leader of the Senate;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5F50A66A14B24722991E80A52036BA44"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDEEE127DCC1C04213A50F54EFA888093D"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the minority leader of the House of
Representatives.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id63ae216159b84248ad563589f9c927fa"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Qualifications</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Advisory Commission shall be
prominent citizens having—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id48F28F7F465D41CD870EA063D329FD79"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">significant depth of experience in such
fields as business and public administration;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA5740C8A565A4FAB85C252C6FD520A8F"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a reputation for innovative
thinking;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA2429CA65AB34227A31D4D22B0583C78"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">familiarity with new and emerging
technologies; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5AF139F6CCE040CA90ADC709674F1B7D"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">experience with revitalizing organizations
that experienced significant financial challenges or other challenges.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfbc2544ff4fd4869836dcc525ac1d744"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Incompatible offices</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual who is appointed to the
Advisory Commission may not serve as an elected official or an officer or
employee of the Federal Government while serving as a member of the Advisory
Commission, except in the capacity of that individual as a member of the
Advisory Commission.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id46410a90cbbc4e38874e530ec9a7847f"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadline for appointment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each member of the Advisory Commission
shall be appointed not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id408c5d598f654792b703cce7628071b9"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Meetings; quorum; vacancies</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id918C7248D06B45E2B9854E5CD82C88B9"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Meetings</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission shall meet at the
call of the Chairperson or a majority of the members of the Advisory
Commission.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD09B2F7FD2A94AB1AD4FF6F8757AB0CE"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Quorum</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">4 members of the Advisory Commission shall
constitute a quorum.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id745BE4DD5BFE4F7A96367D8A3BDE2E66"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Vacancies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any vacancy in the Advisory Commission
shall not affect the powers of the Advisory Commission, but shall be filled as
soon as practicable in the same manner in which the original appointment was
made.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id829613a3ef434cfcb4c1c602a1e28e7e"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duties and powers</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idebd675ed4354423eb02f873356f0e044"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duties</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b88f173848e4d41a67932b374bf267a"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">study matters that the Advisory Commission
determines are necessary and appropriate to develop a strategic blueprint for
the long-term solvency of the Postal Service, including—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id64918cef00844325b76fc7357fc384be"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the financial, operational, and structural
condition of the Postal Service;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idab1f02b6ed9043149e87bde02bff4ad0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">alternative strategies and business models
that the Postal Service could adopt;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id47e675e442f64c0fb31946718bff7d91"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">opportunities for additional postal and
nonpostal products and services that the Postal Service could offer;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1548904f88fb4280a82a62b90aed46de"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">innovative services that postal services in
foreign countries have offered, including services that respond to the
increasing use of electronic means of communication; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id281FBC913E7D4C4F86860448805EA47B"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the governance structure, management
structure, and management of the Postal Service, including—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB96D71264CDC40F49E6E0D3D10748DFC"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the appropriate method of appointment,
qualifications, duties, and compensation for senior officials of the Postal
Service, including the Postmaster General; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfacae90c16214163ba209dfe6e7f6e6e"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number and functions of senior
officials of the Postal Service and the number of levels of management of the
Postal Service; and</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3c7e3e815fff4882b43b75bd3e5992f6"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit the report required under subsection
(f).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1eeba70bfbf0461f8c788424d512623a"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Hearings</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission may hold such
hearings, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as is necessary to
carry out this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9d0736c68ebe4de9bb48fd42545f6ff0"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Access to information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission may secure directly
from the Postal Service, the Board of Governors, the Postal Regulatory
Commission, and any other Federal department or agency such information as the
Advisory Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. Upon request
of the Chairperson of the Advisory Commission, the head of the department or
agency shall furnish the information described in the preceding sentence to the
Advisory Commission.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc11b2d8c314d4e3c8cf5c143f82dfc82"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Personnel matters</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9a027bf2b1e24f03a13635eda29f628c"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Advisory Commission members</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida676a33d2e1b452a9bee098950723812"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Compensation of members</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each member of the Advisory Commission
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 section
5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which the member is
engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Advisory
Commission.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id33666776cdf74a7dbd88d26f7cbca3df"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Travel expenses</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Advisory Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates
authorized for employees serving intermittently in the Government service under
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in the performance of services for the Advisory
Commission.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9eb8aa015e964fe19f47f2b3633b5b07"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Staff</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15ab395bb667411b95ca9ce672c414ed"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appointment and compensation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Chairperson, in accordance with rules
agreed upon by the Advisory Commission, shall appoint and fix the compensation
of an executive director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable
the Advisory Commission to carry out the functions of the Advisory Commission,
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to
classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that a rate
of pay fixed under this subsection may not exceed the rate payable for level V
of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States
Code.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6e42ae2b24a74bbe94c2ea6675d4b871"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Detailees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any Federal employee, including an employee
of the Postal Service, may be detailed to the Advisory Commission without
reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of the
civil service rights, status, or privilege of the employee.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81a8b506bab040119edf99276dc10204"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Consultant services</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory Commission may procure the
services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5,
United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of such title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida2c2dac905c3420ab1df702fee6b0e47"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Strategic blueprint for long-term
solvency</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfb563234052d4c84a9cf4845ee999b15"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Advisory Commission shall submit a report that
contains a strategic blueprint to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id837d6e347042481fb815c525b8e3c73e"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the President;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3053834c109746f6bd6c85f64d0ba135"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idce8f295caca34a67872fa75426ba652e"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform of the House of Representatives;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb6a1b7f007134b6d8dc9265a982b015b"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Board of Governors; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9e52c0cde47d428998c3859d7c7179ba"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postmaster General.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81491bb9233d4cc88460fb7b1bf9cb46"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall contain a strategic blueprint for the long-term solvency of the Postal
Service that includes—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc42547108f24442b9f6ad2fb300ee297"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an assessment of the business model of the
Postal Service as of the date on which the report is submitted;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideb188dbb3f42470f841ec11cda7a5fdd"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an assessment of potential future business
models for the Postal Service, including an evaluation of the appropriate
balance between—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61A3F0EB34B740BFBA94E8969948FCFE"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">necessary reductions in costs and services;
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD02F380687BF4DF0AFCC04E8D13B1168"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">additional opportunities for growth and
revenue;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf755bcec59bd4b50bcb6bd338d074dfb"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a strategy for addressing significant
current and future liabilities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9768fb4d23904e89a609dca289d43a1d"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identification of opportunities for further
reductions in costs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b4e678416ab4575a748bbc1825a4b9b"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identification of opportunities for new and
innovative products and services;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id38ae166b549a455ebc3919fd722cac3a"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a strategy for future growth;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2d5eafbf473244eaa97a5775fb17ff20"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a vision of how the Postal Service will
operate in a sustainable manner 20 years after the date of enactment of this
Act; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0fd9811b993045b1a74eaf554c903fd1"><enum>(H)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recommendations for any legislative changes
necessary to implement the strategic blueprint described in this
paragraph.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id591EEC1E86794AA5A87E5529644F3855"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Study and
strategic plan on inter-agency agreements for post offices</header>
<paragraph id="ID1BEFE42505154C978032F979F250D7A9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Duties of
Advisory Commission</header>
<subparagraph id="ID788980AB1AD147B0BAC1850A124EAF38"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Study</header>
<clause id="IDB5745F6B768E42E6A01E058747CA6065"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Advisory Commission shall conduct a study concerning
the advisability of the Postal Service entering into inter-agency agreements
with Federal, State, and local agencies, with respect to post offices,
that—</text>
<subclause id="id189DF5B0D551407D9CD3CAC7B1460E39"><enum>(I)</enum><text>streamline and
consolidate services provided by Federal, State, and local agencies;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id0403EF2A6DF2447F9C276F18574FCAB8"><enum>(II)</enum><text>decrease the
costs incurred by Federal agencies in providing services to the general public;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id282CED44706140B5B6097D496F5D75F1"><enum>(III)</enum><text>improve the
efficiency and maintain the customer service standards of the Federal, State,
and local agencies.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID48EAF2A94C1C4B5BA6E7CC6EC21ECEB1"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Clarification
of inter-agency agreements</header><text>The study under clause (i) shall
include consideration of the advisability of the Postal Service entering into
an inter-agency agreement with—</text>
<subclause id="IDC2875F76F57140818846723B0BD61537"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Bureau of the
Census for the provision of personnel and resources for the 2020 decennial
census;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id0D28642D42EC43DCBAA177192B4B13D1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the department
of motor vehicles, or an equivalent agency, of each State for the provision of
driver licenses, vehicle registration, and voter registration;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID4CAEA2AF8FCF43B89511A70BC2D3632A"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the division of
wildlife, the department of natural resources, or an equivalent agency, of each
State for the provision of hunting and fishing licenses; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id8AFB707B7C1E4448A77E587EDDFE599F"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>other Federal
agencies responsible for providing services to the general public.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDEB2335974D14EE59294103A034BD1B2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>The
Advisory Commission shall—</text>
<clause id="id146982BBF54E408C8253DC3A5336FB13"><enum>(i)</enum><text>not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to the Postal
Service the findings of the study conducted under subparagraph (A); and</text>
</clause><clause id="id8A64AEBABEA84E88ADC16A898AB9E794"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>incorporate the
findings described in clause (i) into the strategic blueprint required under
subsection (f).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id45025CA4004A483696D014939D20AB63"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Postal Service
strategic plan</header>
<subparagraph id="ID5ACA7C0C1D834A10AC71A79903A1D294"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the date on which the
Advisory Commission submits to the Postal Service the findings under paragraph
(1)(B), the Postal Service shall submit a strategic plan for entering into
inter-agency agreements concerning post offices to—</text>
<clause id="idF573B6F3047B49898B55365683A63573"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="idCD2A4E4D121E448A9411943ADA0E9B6F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0E7772E8745345889F0E1AB0EF6A5701"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>The
strategic plan submitted under subparagraph (A)—</text>
<clause id="id63D8C3AA3E144593BBD5248759DFFA87"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall be
consistent with—</text>
<subclause id="idE5F9D02E435743589913C9D59322EC09"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the retail
service standards established under section 203 of this Act;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id152DECD9709649DAABE64C02B6715F11"><enum>(II)</enum><text>section 411 of
title 39, United States Code, as amended by this Act; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idF6874AC7905B40199D64A82BCD6609D9"><enum>(III)</enum><text>public interest
and demand; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id8A5201122A2F4B86805A2F29532DB4E8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may not prevent
the implementation of Postal Service initiatives with respect to retail access
to postal services under sections 203 and 204 of this Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id97B41DB44AC84480A7A3D765DFCB9850"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Cost savings
projections</header><text>The strategic plan submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include, for each proposed inter-agency agreement, a projection of cost
savings to be realized by the Postal Service and by any other Federal agency
that is a party to the agreement.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8E18677BEB06432BA5DE4BCFA806C638"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Termination of
the commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Advisory
Commission shall terminate 90 days after the later of—</text>
<paragraph id="id1084E3FC60114EA0B0CB734CE5483C9A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which the Advisory Commission
submits the report on the strategic blueprint for long-term solvency under
subsection (f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5F0EF77E6B574AC9BFC2FBB3C056D944"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which the Advisory Commission
submits the findings on inter-agency agreements for post offices under
subsection (g).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5c5349649ba94e4291d8f969f253fb71"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization of
appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 such sums as may
be necessary to carry out this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id21015A41220941FAA7AB514DA1BCAEDE"><enum>213.</enum><header>Citizen's
service protection advocates</header>
<subsection id="idAE35C61BBDA145C9ADAA24E53EE40208"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chapter 4 of title
39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id87FBEF92505742D39F7677CA0175AD5C" style="USC">
<section id="idA6514148B8F24DC5A9CA946321D7545C"><enum>417.</enum><header>Citizen's
service protection advocates</header>
<subsection id="idD16B2B07109244B18F6AF6A87F126FEE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section—</text>
<paragraph id="id4E8680E7803447DAB9AC175A7BFEF131"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term
<term>citizen’s service protection advocate</term> means an individual
appointed or designated under applicable State law, in the manner described in
subsection (b), by the chief executive of a State affected by the closing or
consolidation of a post office or postal facility to represent the interests of
postal customers affected by the closing or consolidation; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id671213FDEF8B4D269355C0283FC86C4A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term
<term>postal facility</term> has the meaning given the term in section
404(f).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4B51B34CDB304B3797D044E659F406CB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Appointment of
advocate</header>
<paragraph id="idB6552BC0787147F7A47B2E52C6FB757D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The chief executive of a State affected by the proposed
closing or consolidation of a post office or postal facility may appoint or
designate a citizen's service protection advocate to represent the interests of
postal customers affected by the proposed closing or consolidation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id50A2BF864E3B4CAE9CAFCEAE807876C9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>To
be considered a citizen’s service protection advocate for purposes of this
section, an individual must have been appointed or designated by the chief
executive of a State in consultation with—</text>
<subparagraph id="id6F14A264FF8549E0B26F4FF6D91802D1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the mayor (or
equivalent official) of any city affected by the closing or consolidation;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id56AE2FCB7B7A4B7194DFF7F9BED23AA7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the commissioner
(or equivalent official) of any county or parish affected by the closing or
consolidation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id80651E5828884610AA845D012B43656F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Access to
information and assistance</header>
<paragraph id="id93065B02CE354D7EA47267BCA74347AC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), upon the request of any
citizen's service protection advocate appointed under this section, the Postal
Service shall provide to the citizen's service protection advocate—</text>
<subparagraph id="id269192CCA8524BEC8AA1DC33968BAFA6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not later than 15
days after the request, access to any records, reports, audits, reviews,
documents, papers, recommendations, or other materials of the Postal Service
relating to the closing or consolidation of the relevant post office or postal
facility; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4B56ACE72BE84185877148D07DBA2DED"><enum>(B)</enum><text>technical
assistance in carrying out the duties of the citizen's service protection
advocate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD191EBA7C6B046DF8BE4748E47124655"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>Nothing
in this section may be construed to require the Postal Service to provide to a
citizen’s service protection advocate any information that is exempt from
disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id99AACCD0C47B4349A07B4BEF64B7931E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Communication
and consultation</header><text>The Postal Service shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id5A91EAB5CE47436BAE62B34C4A11ADB9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide for
regular and efficient communication between a citizen's service protection
advocate and the officer or employee of the Postal Service responsible for the
closing or consolidation of the relevant post office or postal facility;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id58B3F15D1CD740A49A1665720D16EBD3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>consult with the
citizen's service protection advocate in developing and implementing service
changes that affect postal customers affected by the closing or consolidation
of the relevant post office or postal facility.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1D6597846C8C4845B9912E484EADE4E0"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Termination of
service</header><text>An individual may not serve as a citizen's service
protection advocate with respect to the closing or consolidation of a post
office or postal facility after the later of—</text>
<paragraph id="idA9D59762BA384152A3D2EC740359DC6B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the date on which
the Postal Service determines not to close or consolidate the post office or
postal facility; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA1377AE6EBB64CDD84F60AFDE693D66D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the date on which
the Postal Service determines to close or consolidate the post office or postal
facility.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id587C3C461BCE42809C2676CA9068F0E2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of
sections</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 4 of title 39, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91F2753BFB084D28BA57039460BAED3F" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">417. Citizen's service protection
advocates.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDD774ECF32B0485AB7965A044D167FF5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
date on which the Postal Service establishes retail service standards under
section 203.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id074ACB9761A34681BCFB64ADC391DF56"><enum>214.</enum><header>Capitol
Complex post offices</header>
<subsection id="idA8CE665B40EE44349C2423794002A6B5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>House of
Representatives</header>
<paragraph id="id0C52BCFD03BD416EA1E8AF394E5C0DA5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service
shall not maintain or operate more than 1 post office in the United States
Capitol Complex, as defined in section 310(a)(3)(B) of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e(a)(3)(B)), which shall be located in a
House Office Building.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id28E08757A821490C8C30EB6EE12D8AB1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Closing of
capitol post offices</header><text>The Postal Service shall close any post
office in the United States Capitol Complex, as defined in section 310(a)(3)(B)
of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e(a)(3)(B)),
not permitted under this subsection, without regard to the requirements under
section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD706D8FF901D4682832375D24EBCEA0F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Senate</header>
<paragraph id="id975195A03C0D495899ABF5009346B7CE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate may not
enter into, modify, or renew a contract with the Postal Service to maintain or
operate more than 1 post office in a Senate Office Building.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE67132274C4C4E32AB295D7B25D4CCC1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Existing
contracts</header><text>Nothing in paragraph (1) may be construed to affect a
contract entered into by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate and
the Postal Service before the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Federal Employees’ Compensation
Act</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9eaab710-9669-4ea0-835c-6b9d3c7a4336" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>301.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Short title; references</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4c77f2a2-fe15-4a9d-8f33-752cfd59b099"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Short title</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This title may be cited as the
<quote><short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title></quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcb9a033e-31f8-41b6-a9f3-e4ee604b885c"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">References</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as otherwise expressly provided,
whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 5, United
States Code.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idde62ba65-430e-4048-b703-cee32af0fdfc"><enum>302.</enum><header>Federal
workers compensation reforms for retirement-age employees</header>
<subsection id="ida87379c1-2240-462d-ac5d-cfcd3a57c2d0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Conversion
of entitlement at retirement age</header>
<paragraph id="id2b597153-5673-4c92-b774-bd2dbed7ee90"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>Section
8101 is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4cd98fe6-bb44-4c93-9186-37f4658b2479"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph
(18), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9faae0e6-1de7-4de9-97a6-0d0a8de153c8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph
(19), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idef4d34be-0c30-4a79-93f3-d170a2d2ccb0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph
(20), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id72c629ce-94a2-4267-b75a-a95ad9e95f02"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by adding at
the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbb79fe48-89f8-419b-804f-45bd3262727d" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id5fa0d994-ff0e-4b18-9f06-f4bd4192ea8e"><enum>(21)</enum><text><term>retirement
age</term> has the meaning given that term under section 216(l)(1) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(l)(1));</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id730e13f5-4c86-44a4-9249-4a0dc6129c1f"><enum>(22)</enum><text><term>covered
claim for total disability</term> means a claim for a period of total
disability that commenced before the date of enactment of the
<short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idb4605e14-d924-4732-9acd-431c54ce4526"><enum>(23)</enum><text><term>covered
claim for partial disability</term> means a claim for a period of partial
disability that commenced before the date of enactment of the
<short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idb9237f91-9524-499c-98ee-cba0feec7003"><enum>(24)</enum><text><term>individual
who has an exempt disability condition</term> means an individual—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4be8011a-da6a-4fad-a8a3-fcefb6d2a8fe"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who—</text>
<clause id="id896ceba1-74e6-40d8-af10-8df623dc4d34"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is eligible
to receive continuous periodic compensation for total disability under section
8105 on the date of enactment of the <short-title>Workers'
Compensation Reform Act of 2012</short-title>; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id2825ec10-452b-490f-a8c7-66831579efc4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>meets the
criteria under section 8105(c);</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8af964f4-89d4-4b7f-abdd-73f13ecb941c"><enum>(B)</enum><text>who, on the
date of enactment of the <short-title>Workers'
Compensation Reform Act of 2012</short-title>—</text>
<clause id="ideffd4561-db4f-4d49-933f-0e77b5bc1f90"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is eligible
to receive continuous periodic compensation for total disability under section
8105; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id0c6904cb-f779-4046-a081-a607163389ff"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has
sustained a currently irreversible severe mental or physical disability for
which the Secretary of Labor has authorized, for at least the 1-year period
ending on the date of enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of 2012</short-title>,
constant in-home care or custodial care, such as placement in a nursing home;
or</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idffde6506-cad9-47d9-985f-6a3dc00d9cf1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>who is
eligible to receive continuous periodic compensation for total disability under
section 8105—</text>
<clause id="id40b617d9-87f7-4484-a6f2-9f41a3757890"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for not less
than the 3-year period ending on the date of enactment of the
<short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id9f4b8271-863f-4f50-bfaf-bc8f981b5bbd"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if the
individual became eligible to receive continuous periodic compensation for
total disability under section 8105 during the period beginning on the date
that is 3 years before the date of enactment of the
<short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title> and ending on such date of enactment, for not less than the
3-year period beginning on the date on which the individual became
eligible.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idf06505f1-8722-4f84-8fd4-3cd27c14691e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Total
disability</header><text>Section 8105 is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id41499347-4fb1-45d0-8f1b-ed3ea2c32b0f"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by striking <quote>If</quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">In general</header-in-text>.—Subject to
subsection (b), if</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id83a8b406-a4cf-44a3-b6dd-cba6511802d9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by
redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6422794d-ed9e-48cc-bdf3-80cb92bf3508"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting
after subsection (a) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8b59d3d2-e240-4466-9e36-c0f53385298e" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id5dcfdf69-991f-467a-bd5b-55574f84dc33"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conversion
of entitlement at retirement age</header>
<paragraph id="id17bfa393-b2ab-499f-9e41-aa0fd58f150f"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), the basic
compensation for total disability for an employee who has attained retirement
age shall be 50 percent of the monthly pay of the employee.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3cb39106-edcf-4adc-be61-3ad9eaa545d9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exceptions</header>
<subparagraph id="id6ecd7427-74f1-43ff-80ec-470a471aa915"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Covered
recipients who are retirement age, have an exempt disability condition, or face
financial hardship</header><text>Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a covered
claim for total disability by an employee if the employee—</text>
<clause id="id77e7c29b-2e15-430d-a5c3-a1223824d10e"><enum>(i)</enum><text>on the date
of enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation
Reform Act of 2012</short-title>, has attained retirement age;</text>
</clause><clause id="id5778ef42-bc10-43ab-9274-34c6378e443b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is an
individual who has an exempt disability condition; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id654966C7791A43F3A3759BEDF4B6A1BA"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>is a member of
a household that would meet the income and assets requirements for eligibility
for the supplemental nutrition assistance program as described in section 5 of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) (not including any
provisions permitting eligibility due to benefits received under any other law)
if the basic compensation for total disability of the employee were provided in
accordance with paragraph (1).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0e3980f6-e0ec-45e8-9e61-547853fcf88e"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Transition
period for certain employees</header><text>For a covered claim for total
disability by an employee who is not an employee described in subparagraph (A),
the employee shall receive the basic compensation for total disability provided
under subsection (a) until the later of—</text>
<clause id="id439bacb4-ee02-4937-a3cb-9e54586c32c1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date on
which the employee attains retirement age; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id812ff2b8-a68f-4b50-8276-9cbaff6a9f8e"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the date
that is 3 years after the date of enactment of the
<short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idd72cc0fc-f5bc-401b-bf95-1315aa3a3973"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Partial
disability</header><text>Section 8106 is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="idcbe432b2-c9f9-419e-b90c-8267809fff1a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection
(a), by striking <quote>If</quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">In general</header-in-text>.—Subject to
subsection (b), if</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2ecf0471-c9d8-45d3-9bc1-68fc5ef8a1bd"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by
redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9291b55b-df15-4ea8-8cb3-14db81b06b3b"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting
after subsection (a) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9a74264b-5a21-48e2-b0ac-c97821bf8486" style="OLC">
<subsection id="idf3faab9e-1d45-4e6c-9282-0832b39b07e8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conversion
of entitlement at retirement age</header>
<paragraph id="id39e89921-765a-4ebf-97dd-b6762a3e4bad"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), the basic
compensation for partial disability for an employee who has attained retirement
age shall be 50 percent of the difference between the monthly pay of the
employee and the monthly wage-earning capacity of the employee after the
beginning of the partial disability.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2973bce0-a91b-4df4-b0de-1054786adb87"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exceptions</header>
<subparagraph id="id46fefd03-77de-4e2a-ae4f-64d332f9802b"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Covered
recipients who are retirement age or face financial
hardship</header><text>Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a covered claim for
partial disability by an employee if the employee—</text>
<clause id="idACA5921CF4E240D6BDFE017C1460E34C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>on the date of
enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform
Act of 2012</short-title>, has attained retirement age; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idFEDF18F2A5474620BC3B0B22E354164B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is a member of a
household that would meet the income and assets requirements for eligibility
for the supplemental nutrition assistance program as described in section 5 of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) (not including any
provisions permitting eligibility due to benefits received under any other law)
if the basic compensation for total disability of the employee were provided in
accordance with paragraph (1).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9b90584a-fb75-454b-8f3d-c228b2ac0704"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Transition
period for certain employees</header><text>For a covered claim for partial
disability by an employee who is not an employee described in subparagraph (A),
the employee shall receive basic compensation for partial disability in
accordance with subsection (a) until the later of—</text>
<clause id="ida514cc14-d344-4b02-adf1-531b82492cf4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date on
which the employee attains retirement age; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida9218cac-47b6-4799-a41b-0702fac6e4a2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the date
that is 3 years after the date of enactment of the
<short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf938d504-9259-4a68-a8c9-4d578ed0a2c4" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>303.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Augmented compensation for
dependents</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4ca34e2a-4d28-44a9-a237-cd7312ce2688"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8110 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idee2c1fd3-dc31-4282-8616-4679bc7fecbf"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (b) as
subsection (c); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id85877296-091e-4d7d-811c-c0ecb71bc220"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (a) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcfddeb5a-2ed6-41e6-b63f-91d74ffcfb69" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc8e03cd0-c419-40a4-a7e6-abc5bf40806a"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Termination of augmented
compensation</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0fe9f1a3-5973-4dd1-8580-156659017122"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to paragraph (2), augmented
compensation for dependants under subsection (c) shall not be provided.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfd83b2b2-70ef-4536-9048-2c51aa114125"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exceptions</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida3d0c7bc-17d3-4c48-b88b-c08e4a2bd9e0"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Total disability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a covered claim for total disability by
an employee—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id47690123-92b7-49a6-9c40-fb673b4a8fed"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the employee shall receive augmented
compensation under subsection (c) if the employee is an individual who has an
exempt disability condition; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id596d6735-857a-41d0-aaf1-8bce3288f639"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the employee shall receive augmented
compensation under subsection (c) until the date that is 3 years after the date
of enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation
Reform Act of 2012</short-title> if the employee is not an employee described
in clause (i).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id658cd461-51af-4a56-9925-d0c5c6e1dabe"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Partial disability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a covered claim for partial disability
by an employee, the employee shall receive augmented compensation under
subsection (c) until the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of
the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb5eeac30-a1e4-4082-a383-dc337ac532d6"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Permanent disability compensated by a
schedule</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a claim for a
permanent disability described in section 8107(a) by an employee that commenced
before the date of enactment of the <short-title>Workers'
Compensation Reform Act of 2012</short-title>, the employee shall receive
augmented compensation under subsection
(c).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4065a140-2b1c-434b-be6f-dc45c69c53d9"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Maximum and minimum monthly
payments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8112 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2d62c7dd-c71a-4adb-baa7-56ed8e2dbd16"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3b80cda0-1ec7-454c-9571-9a9d38c7a3c2"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>subsections (b) and (c)
and </quote> before <quote>section 8138</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5ea98565-6d6f-4144-9b50-d4274c5a4213"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>including augmented
compensation under section 8110 of this title but</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4296663b-13b4-42f9-855c-403dcba3a6ab"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>75 percent</quote> each
place it appears and inserting <quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide404f0eb-c7a9-4bd6-8d38-662ce4e94ed2"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (b) as
subsection (c);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfab90b95-d9b8-4aa4-aec3-49e100bb7774"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (a) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61705917-3cfd-42ec-a2eb-78840c7319e5" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2702694-e372-420d-990a-46e2adf0d78b"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exceptions</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida012f105-83ff-40c2-82a7-6df2cfac2ea9"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Covered disability condition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a covered claim for total disability by
an employee, if the employee is an individual who has an exempt disability
condition—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id938a3590-1bbd-4c6c-b9f5-e1cbf69181bf"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the monthly rate of compensation for
disability that is subject to the maximum and minimum monthly amounts under
subsection (a) shall include any augmented compensation under section 8110;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc81c89f4-bafa-4269-8091-68cf24a42f86"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">subsection (a) shall be applied by
substituting <quote>75 percent</quote> for <quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent</quote> each place it appears.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id590b4825-2c41-45c9-905d-5e39a61ff119"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Partial disability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a covered claim for partial disability
by an employee, until the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of
the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of
2012</short-title>—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8726f599-fa5e-429e-8e32-f989fae71030"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the monthly rate of compensation for
disability that is subject to the maximum and minimum monthly amounts under
subsection (a) shall include any augmented compensation under section 8110;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc805746b-ff9f-4767-bec1-decc26ff230a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">subsection (a) shall be applied by
substituting <quote>75 percent</quote> for <quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent</quote> each place it appears.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6c773cd6-94c5-47d7-b316-4fe7378d5b3e"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (c), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), by striking <quote>subsection (a)</quote> and inserting
<quote>subsections (a) and (b)</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideccf1808-ea85-4354-8f35-9baacad75af9"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Death benefits generally</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8133 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9639291a-afae-4231-93a7-3f7a5ef75950"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsections (a) and (e), by striking
<quote>75 percent</quote> each place it appears and inserting
<quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction> percent (except as provided in subsection
(g))</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15b1817a-51fd-41f6-9d43-62bbceb15aa0"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd3f8a377-907e-42ae-a95d-aacf1bba0ecb" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5514db31-c0ba-4f92-aefc-a19ba5d10d7e"><enum>(g)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the death occurred before the date of
enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform
Act of 2012</short-title>, subsections (a) and (e) shall be applied by
substituting <quote>75 percent</quote> for <quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent</quote> each place it
appears.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8138b5ce-e567-43ca-878a-d63ffcc7e825"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Death benefits for civil air patrol
volunteers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8141 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id961394c2-9376-4399-8ce1-e62db63bb264"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (b)(2)(B) by striking
<quote>75 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent (except as provided in subsection (c))</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80957939-43d8-4a60-93f7-eef40a9f0c5b"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (c) as
subsection (d); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id35d6266b-e122-4af8-abab-4674b515f6b1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01e6caa9-96d6-4a45-b0b2-f2bb84620b46" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f75d068-28e0-479c-804c-096167cb14ab"><enum>(c)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the death occurred before the date of
enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform
Act of 2012</short-title>, subsection (b)(2)(B) shall be applied by
substituting <quote>75 percent</quote> for <quote>66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent</quote>.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34b86dda-de0f-4399-9ebe-9d516824a7a9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>304.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Schedule compensation
payments</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8107 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide7c8d2e2-4899-456c-9a34-d2b232fef71a"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a), by striking <quote>at
the rate of 66<fraction>2/3</fraction> percent of his monthly pay</quote> and
inserting <quote>at the rate specified under subsection (d)</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd6ef7836-b457-4fb9-a71b-0736b4322027"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8cadefb5-9083-47d4-b714-fcb6a4a5a144" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4c44ea30-2f35-4762-9ea5-650b911d052e"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rate for compensation</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0aec7f47-6567-44bd-8ff3-b1ded5f54d83"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual salary</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb575e1cd-f462-4958-b000-c82de9410ae7"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
rate under subsection (a) shall be the rate of 66<fraction>2/3</fraction>
percent of the annual salary level established under subparagraph (B), in a
lump sum equal to the present value (as calculated under subparagraph (C)) of
the amount of compensation payable under the schedule.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd4675319-133f-40eb-a018-0c8a23cd8dee"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc07c3059-161a-4bf5-b077-319842d920b0"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall establish an
annual salary for purposes of subparagraph (A) in the amount the Secretary
determines will result in the aggregate cost of payments made under this
section being equal to what would have been the aggregate cost of payments
under this section if the amendments made by section 304(a) of the Workers’
Compensation Reform Act of 2012 had not been enacted.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id14b02777-3ced-441b-a3c5-2fbab2575a9c"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cost of living adjustment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The annual salary established under clause
(i) shall be increased on March 1 of each year by the amount determined by the
Secretary of Labor to represent the percent change in the price index published
for December of the preceding year over the price index published for the
December of the year prior to the preceding year, adjusted to the nearest
one-tenth of 1 percent.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id55fe15c4-6038-4b13-a9d1-2b8ab02be931"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Present value</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall calculate the
present value for purposes of subparagraph (A) using a rate of interest equal
to the average market yield for outstanding marketable obligations of the
United States with a maturity of 2 years on the first business day of the month
in which the compensation is paid or, in the event that such marketable
obligations are not being issued on such date, at an equivalent rate selected
by the Secretary of Labor, true discount compounded annually.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idac1ce4d7-9290-4f66-9436-093fe6dc5584"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Certain injuries</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For an injury that occurred before the date
of enactment of the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 2012, the rate under
subsection (a) shall be 66<fraction>2/3</fraction> percent of the employee’s
monthly pay.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b3ebadd-4ee6-491c-8015-0b99f752428f"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Simultaneous receipt</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd3fb1720-eb25-46c4-901c-d1c47ca56040"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Total disability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employee who receives compensation for
total disability under section 8105 may only receive the lump sum of schedule
compensation under this section in addition to and simultaneously with the
benefits for total disability after the earlier of—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7eb73066-29b4-466b-98d0-978baf1bee8f"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which the basic compensation
for total disability of the employee becomes 50 percent of the monthly pay of
the employee under section 8105(b); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id74b3e445-f53e-46f2-84b3-6c9de662ac95"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which augmented compensation of
the employee terminates under section 8110(b)(2)(A)(ii), if the employee
receives such compensation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1e19b35e-21ea-41b8-bec0-c0f4191eebcc"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Partial disability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employee who receives benefits for
partial disability under section 8106 may only receive the lump sum of schedule
compensation under this section in addition to and simultaneously with the
benefits for partial disability after the earlier of—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcf1bfa40-66a4-4274-8e7c-8b86cab2fa92"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which the basic compensation
for partial disability of the employee becomes 50 percent of the difference
between the monthly pay of the employee and the monthly wage-earning capacity
of the employee after the beginning of the partial disability under section
8106(b); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71094765-eb28-48a7-9ce3-2c55f0b0879f"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which augmented compensation of
the employee terminates under section 8110(b)(2)(B), if the employee receives
such
compensation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida0287301-6725-4d36-9e85-cea344bd7645" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>305.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Vocational rehabilitation</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida18e24c8-c305-4de2-aa60-e36a62445a04"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8104 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04c0f667-add1-4e68-a008-715332f0920c"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3e2fae87-c01d-4187-a690-0aae0a0088a5"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(a) The Secretary of
Labor may</quote> and all that follows through <quote>undergo vocational
rehabilitation.</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd43f7b15-dd41-489c-aee6-54f2b695afba" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id65793a7f-bc35-4a74-ad95-f04dcc9a6731"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idda370df1-219a-4322-b0c9-7356fb7cdbff"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Direction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in paragraph (2), not
earlier than the date that is 6 months after the date on which an individual
eligible for wage-loss compensation under section 8105 or 8106 is injured, or
by such other date as the Secretary of Labor determines it would be reasonable
under the circumstances for the individual to begin vocational rehabilitation,
and if vocational rehabilitation may enable the individual to become capable of
more gainful employment, the Secretary of Labor shall direct the individual to
participate in developing a comprehensive return to work plan and to undergo
vocational rehabilitation at a location a reasonable distance from the
residence of the
individual.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id46b61b08-b94c-4910-832a-3589ecf2bac6"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>the Secretary of Health,
Education, and Welfare in carrying out the purposes of chapter 4 of title
29</quote> and inserting <quote>the Secretary of Education in carrying out the
purposes of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et
seq.)</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbd1a7637-8bea-4b1d-a151-9c22fccf5b95"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>under section 32(b)(1)
of title 29</quote> and inserting <quote>under section 5 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 704)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide199de5d-9a1f-4d28-8455-20ed31a09a34"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id84333703-bdb2-40f2-bfa1-f06a9187ae92" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73033b96-99cc-4e98-8fd0-58a4e59fd134"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exception</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor may not direct an
individual who has attained retirement age to participate in developing a
comprehensive return to work plan or to undergo vocational
rehabilitation.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0af4efb7-3f53-4ad9-9922-803b8608224b"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (b) as
subsection (c);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf5d4a33b-b170-4a04-be42-521bb4d762d8"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (a) the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id98da916a-be98-4c41-aa4e-f51ff15c898c" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2433bb2-0977-45a9-aa31-6d1894bd43d2"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents of return to work
plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A return to work plan
developed under subsection (a)—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10a6b161-6a01-4027-9ab2-574aa72f1e8e"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id12342f5d-989f-4374-92ff-531541a5c476"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">set forth specific measures designed to
increase the wage-earning capacity of an individual;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfc12c4dd-bb25-4cb1-a9da-29ab3c204279"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">take into account the prior training and
education of the individual and the training, educational, and employment
opportunities reasonably available to the individual; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91bf20e7-0b84-4b17-95af-5afd1b956cbe"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide that any employment undertaken by
the individual under the return to work plan be at a location a reasonable
distance from the residence of the individual;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida62a5750-306a-429c-8dbd-e9781585c47a"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may provide that the Secretary will pay out
of amounts in the Employees’ Compensation Fund reasonable expenses of
vocational rehabilitation (which may include tuition, books, training fees,
supplies, equipment, and child or dependent care) during the course of the
plan; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1bdb40b4-7c14-44e9-98d3-1f4b311daf50"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not be for a period of more than 2
years, unless the Secretary finds good cause to grant an extension, which may
be for not more than 2
years.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3a3240f6-2866-4db8-9d47-2aa949a4ad09"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (c), as so
redesignated—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idadb45e86-5121-41d4-91e3-117927ecda6a"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">Compensation</header-in-text>.—</quote> before
<quote>Notwithstanding</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide008c75f-4956-49cb-98ec-eed6a31d6856"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>, other than employment
undertaken pursuant to such rehabilitation</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8b64e60-60c0-4c05-bb7c-f941b02779e4"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbf076ceb-9b3f-49d6-8c12-976a7545d309" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01524558-b987-43c7-a730-dadd7827e133"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assisted reemployment agreements</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc3b61f94-1102-4560-807e-890f10d9cc33"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may enter into an assisted
reemployment agreement with an agency or instrumentality of any branch of the
Federal Government or a State or local government or a private employer that
employs an individual eligible for wage-loss compensation under section 8105 or
8106 to enable the individual to return to productive employment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id155f7d52-54f8-4790-818b-b426b6e7eebd"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An assisted reemployment agreement under
paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id03750269-e6ee-4fbe-bd26-f2f7262d6792"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may provide that the Secretary will use
amounts in the Employees’ Compensation Fund to reimburse an employer in an
amount equal to not more than 100 percent of the compensation the individual
would otherwise receive under section 8105 or 8106; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida94914ff-1336-4437-804b-ded2e7800c67"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not be for a period of more than 3
years.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0bf80d16-d848-4db3-a61e-68ade3c9ac50"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">List</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To facilitate the hiring of individuals
eligible for wage-loss compensation under section 8105 or 8106, the Secretary
shall provide a list of such individuals to the Office of Personnel Management,
which the Office of Personnel Management shall provide to all agencies and
instrumentalities of the Federal
Government.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0A82EB8AC84C44FEAA4A55731010516D"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employees’ Compensation Fund</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8147 is amended by adding at the
end:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id21296E1CCDED462B87C926E4791A60F4" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID916771cd100b415c879b7e7010ed43aa"><enum>(d)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding subsection (b), any
benefits or other payments paid to or on behalf of an employee under this
subchapter or any extension or application thereof for a recurrence of injury,
consequential injury, aggravation of injury, or increase in percentage of
impairment to a member for which compensation is provided under the schedule
under section 8107 suffered in a permanent position with an agency or
instrumentality of the United States while the employment with the agency or
instrumentality is covered under an assisted reemployment agreement entered
into under section 8104(d) shall not be included in total cost of benefits and
other payments in the statement provided to the agency or instrumentality under
subsection (b) if the injury was originally incurred in a position not covered
by an assisted reemployment
agreement.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id48063e74-6550-46eb-8ba6-c5d4fe6c0fb8"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Termination of vocational rehabilitation
requirement after retirement age</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8113(b) is amended by adding at the
end the following: <quote>An individual who has attained retirement age may not
be required to undergo vocational rehabilitation.</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida69f7cf1-dfe3-4e2a-af8f-c87abb337eae"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Mandatory benefit reduction for
noncompliance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8113(b)
is amended by striking <quote>may reduce</quote> and inserting <quote>shall
reduce</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida70cdfcf-a95b-40bd-b997-2a7b6063053e"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendments</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5df06d0b-f8e7-4de5-a301-c2c4a218fc97"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter III of chapter 15 of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idce56e8f8-4f2d-4240-84f2-74edea7f855d" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6ab1efe0-faac-4073-958f-97746eaa056f" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1538.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization for assisted
reemployment</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Funds may be
transferred from the Employees’ Compensation Fund established under section
8147 of title 5 to the applicable appropriations account for an agency or
instrumentality of any branch of the Federal Government for the purposes of
reimbursing the agency or instrumentality in accordance with an assisted
reemployment agreement entered into under section 8104 of title
5.</text>
</section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0b88d744-34dd-4af1-88dc-96de8e8266d0"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Table of sections</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections for chapter 15 of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 1537 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idddc93ace-058a-47b1-a85a-5276cffb5241" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">1538. Authorization for
assisted
reemployment.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15cb7512-8b3a-4c46-9445-8f1570687d88" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>306.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reporting requirements</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8d701c9e-d050-4de5-b733-7f6e94456b48"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chapter 81 is amended by inserting after
section 8106 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ided0add91-0f19-4acb-aa99-26c2a04504a0" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4c18e63e-25fe-4532-b413-609f004ab9f0" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>8106a.<?LEXA-Enum 8106a.?></enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reporting requirements</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5bcbfe6a-b25a-4f6e-aacd-700ac34d60ad"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <quote>employee
receiving compensation</quote> means an employee who—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36943bc5-67e3-400c-8e54-938313ef9a57"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is paid compensation under section 8105 or
8106; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id54a766ad-b73b-40d8-99fd-c297bc6d481e"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has not attained retirement age.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5e33e109-8be9-4fe0-aefa-2ca66b2e2228"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall require an
employee receiving compensation to report the earnings of the employee
receiving compensation from employment or self-employment, by affidavit or
otherwise, in the manner and at the times the Secretary specifies.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5493394b-d27c-4702-8f33-72a59c47b55d"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employee receiving compensation shall
include in a report required under subsection (a) the value of housing, board,
lodging, and other advantages which are part of the earnings of the employee
receiving compensation in employment or self-employment and the value of which
can be estimated.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddcf59f59-ba31-44d6-b9f7-48ce3b5f2c9e"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Failure To report and false
reports</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd67f18bb-69a7-47e5-8363-66ed11996880"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employee receiving compensation who
fails to make an affidavit or other report required under subsection (b) or who
knowingly omits or understates any part of the earnings of the employee in such
an affidavit or other report shall forfeit the right to compensation with
respect to any period for which the report was required.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc3e4ec32-9fe7-4d63-a883-4692007e8fa9"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Forfeited compensation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Compensation forfeited under this
subsection, if already paid to the employee receiving compensation, shall be
recovered by a deduction from the compensation payable to the employee or
otherwise recovered under section 8129, unless recovery is waived under that
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idac143080-9031-4271-9d9b-e84764a36d04"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
sections for chapter 81 is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8106 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd52809bc-9495-4be6-8fd1-713f631485ed" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">8106a. Reporting
requirements.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbdbf0225-d402-4e88-a5bd-7ecbabd25a1c" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>307.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Disability management review; independent
medical examinations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
8123 is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id35e9fe8c-6a6e-42e3-b680-dee83fe8e91f" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcae3f405-33aa-465f-aa00-4be264fde126"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Disability management review</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc9d7e744-169a-4425-8f46-c853bfd5870c"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id805a4c56-55b0-4112-9388-7016ce69a146"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>covered employee</term>
means an employee who is in continuous receipt of compensation for total
disability under section 8105 for a period of not less than 6 months;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id16885424-abce-4e94-b25e-c4601eb44381"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>disability management review
process</term> means the disability management review process established under
paragraph (2)(A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb31e3eed-486a-4c49-a32d-657d00b91cbe"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1616bba5-28b3-4a3d-b1b6-7fc5ca257d90"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish a disability management review
process for the purpose of certifying and monitoring the disability status and
extent of injury of each covered employee; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcfdf9c0b-371e-45a7-a8fa-602fd1f18cfe"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">promulgate regulations for the
administration of the disability management review process.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id98a10488-31bb-4c56-b8c7-79446384dff1"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Physical examinations
required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Under the disability
management review process, the Secretary of Labor shall periodically require
covered employees to submit to physical examinations under subsection (a) by
physicians selected by the Secretary. A physician conducting a physical
examination of a covered employee shall submit to the Secretary a report
regarding the nature and extent of the injury to and disability of the covered
employee.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9752e0ae-1b0f-4a40-a2ed-e55fdb6259de"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Frequency</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idde24914a-d1ba-40b8-9e4f-3bf590eaff7b"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The regulations promulgated under paragraph
(2)(B) shall specify the process and criteria for determining when and how
frequently a physical examination should be conducted for a covered
employee.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2e18a2ed-89f8-413d-a0ca-8c6e422b32d1"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Minimum frequency</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfa30025b-c44c-44f6-b188-3ddb9343543e"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Initial</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An initial physical examination shall be
conducted not more than a brief period after the date on which a covered
employee has been in continuous receipt of compensation for total disability
under section 8015 for 6 months.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide2406a5c-faa9-4fe3-83e8-67f80d7d0d95"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsequent examinations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">After the initial physical examination,
physical examinations of a covered employee shall be conducted not less than
once every 3 years.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfae3d5f1-e7a8-46f1-9871-26739241cf11"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employing agency or instrumentality
requests</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36165da1-61ce-410e-b6e6-d0f8d461f305"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The agency or instrumentality employing an
employee who has made a claim for compensation for total disability under
section 8105 may at any time submit a request for the Secretary of Labor to
promptly require the employee to submit to a physical examination under this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idccd1677e-41af-47bc-8160-b291a380bd51"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Requesting officer</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A request under subparagraph (A) shall be
made on behalf of an agency or instrumentality by—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id823bf78a-023f-4df8-89cf-9a759103c9de"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the head of the agency or
instrumentality;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id67222ef5-1c7d-47bd-98b7-e8c684935da4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Chief Human Capital Officer of the
agency or instrumentality; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1d4e5ed0-6666-4c6d-9fc6-8f3bbc97bf80"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">if the agency or instrumentality does not
have a Chief Human Capital Officer, an officer with responsibilities similar to
those of a Chief Human Capital Officer designated by the head of the agency or
instrumentality to make requests under this paragraph.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id711a5b7a-0e7f-4abe-a23e-94bf01f04f06"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A request under subparagraph (A) shall be
in writing and accompanied by—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb1e463d3-7039-43c0-a3a0-cc2682a78e85"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a certification by the officer making the
request that the officer has reviewed the relevant material in the employee’s
file;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7b993165-573e-4664-a12f-ee5e698d446d"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an explanation of why the officer has
determined, based on the materials in the file and other information known to
the officer, that requiring a physical examination of the employee under this
subsection is necessary; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide6ab633d-0e14-41b6-b689-e611a6716793"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">copies of the materials relating to the
employee that are relevant to the officer’s determination and request, unless
the agency or instrumentality has a reasonable basis for not providing the
materials.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5685cd35-0847-403c-b621-d5473f774acd"><enum>(D)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Examination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary of Labor receives a
request under this paragraph before an employee has undergone an initial
physical examination under paragraph (4)(B)(i), the Secretary shall promptly
require the physical examination of the employee. A physical examination under
this subparagraph shall satisfy the requirement under paragraph (4)(B)(i) that
an initial physical examination be conducted.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4f0fca9e-5427-4ddd-992d-16b8621aedfa"><enum>(E)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">After initial examination</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id35bdc99c-5723-40fb-abaa-0ec9769f71c6"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary of Labor receives a
request under this paragraph after an employee has undergone an initial
physical examination under paragraph (4)(B)(i), the Secretary shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idda45b9ef-3c1c-4514-87be-c49a1a89657c"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review the request and the information,
explanation, and other materials submitted with the request; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id27247745-06d7-4fe7-aa1a-bcf0463004c3"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">determine whether to require the physical
examination of the employee who is the subject of the request.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide034a691-55c8-4bb5-9782-32b6dca11023"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not granted</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary determines not to grant a
request described in clause (i), the Secretary shall promptly notify the
officer who made the request and provide an explanation of the reasons why the
request was
denied.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9d28ffd0-1da3-4830-a480-b737b9ae771d" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>308.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Waiting period</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7ad73dd9-2689-433e-b917-63c505841a2c"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8117 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf31bbbc6-288b-4b7b-82aa-08fa6afcf51d"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the section heading, by striking
<quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Time of accrual of
right</header-in-text></quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">Waiting period</header-in-text></quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7dbd1161-3ba5-43c5-ab5a-11d736d855a3"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id955af75b-a7ce-4981-952b-faac1589266c"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking <quote>An employee</quote> and all that follows through <quote>is not
entitled</quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">In general</header-in-text>.—An employee is not entitled to
continuation of pay within the meaning of section 8118 for the first 3 days of
temporary disability or, if section 8118 does not apply, is not
entitled</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b64030b-a785-4bca-91cd-3ed547925372"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1), by adding
<quote>or</quote> at the end;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb5deef7f-f243-4860-adaf-02cb478b1ca9"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraph (2); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3be5f391-3cae-4c93-9863-fb2a98ecec7f"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(2); and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id255664e3-fe51-412f-88c8-4a8439857254"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (b)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0a084b85-cdd2-44b2-9ca7-ee3dcbb5f28e"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>A Postal Service</quote>
the first place it appears and all that follows through <quote>A Postal
Service</quote> the second place it appears and inserting
<quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">Use of
leave</header-in-text>.—An</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50f77971-923b-49f2-a338-81073892a9c9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>that 3-day
period</quote> and inserting <quote>the first 3 days of temporary
disability</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idde60e8fd-18e6-4f63-bbe4-53b0892ca9b3"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>or is followed by
permanent disability</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb8544066-e7be-43cd-b961-0c6c8708d088"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Continuation of pay</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8118 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb62a229b-58f7-45ec-9ac2-03557fb8af4f"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the section heading, by striking
<quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">; election to use annual or
sick leave</header-in-text></quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id680968fc-009b-438f-a5ff-56c912093aba"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (b)(1), by striking
<quote>section 8117(b)</quote> and inserting <quote>section
8117</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idae55245f-526f-4014-8c53-205585b0e083"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking subsection (c); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4fc0e389-6a99-4c00-b343-cb78af43dec7"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsections (d) as
subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id78da4c2b-5223-420c-bf60-c99293470c26"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
sections for chapter 81 is amended by striking the items relating to sections
8117 and 8118 and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7d75ade3-ab68-44b7-af58-43f287764da5" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">8117. Waiting
period.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">8118. Continuation of
pay.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idab372bee-4b38-44ba-b5f9-c44ee6939a49" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>309.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Election of benefits</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8c120e9b-d43d-4c39-aa27-07034d52983f"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8116 is amended by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idecfaba56-d3fc-4052-95b1-9145a6aa71ec" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida60fb94a-ae7e-49a9-8a6a-48b37220807f"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Retirement benefits</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8ddd4f2-268b-4a61-9bc0-4d5118fca129"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual entitled to compensation
benefits payable under this subchapter and under chapter 83 or 84 or any other
retirement system for employees of the Government, for the same period, shall
elect which benefits the individual will receive.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide0bbd699-bce3-4141-9854-7e452de94859"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Election</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4ef92cb6-ed5a-40aa-8a81-fdc0730c4eed"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadline</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual shall make an election under
paragraph (1) in accordance with such deadlines as the Secretary of Labor shall
establish, which shall be a reasonable period after the individual has received
notice of a final determination that the individual is entitled to compensation
benefits payable under this subchapter.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3146d55f-e08d-4dba-a992-6b2075db91ce"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Revocability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An election under paragraph (1) shall be
revocable, notwithstanding any other provision of law, except for any period
during which an individual—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id495e624c-655c-4fae-8cd7-9d39f8750bff"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">was qualified for benefits payable under
both this subchapter and under a retirement system described in paragraph (1);
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7b30d4c1-482e-43a1-ad40-6c816fad69f3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">was paid benefits under the retirement
system after having been notified of eligibility for benefits under this
subchapter.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id688b1d1a-d214-4c75-9614-fd740e93ce4b"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Informed choice</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall provide
information, and shall ensure that information is provided, to an individual
described in paragraph (1) about the benefits available to the individual under
this subchapter or under chapter 83 or 84 or any other retirement system
referred to in paragraph (1) the individual may elect to
receive.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id314e060e-2707-4174-96da-aac7716de386"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Sections
8337(f)(3) and 8464a(a)(3) are each amended by striking
<quote>Paragraphs</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as provided under chapter
81, paragraphs</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id97b5481a-bd09-4e02-9041-278fbad41920" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>310.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Sanction for noncooperation with field
nurses</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8123, as
amended by section 307, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3c1b479f-193c-45aa-ba4f-ea2b68d9403d" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5bf54dee-653b-4cd4-a629-4be38fcb5227"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Field nurses</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3bfe16fc-0271-4d7c-8444-0f1c00fb20e5"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, the term <quote>field
nurse</quote> means a registered nurse that assists the Secretary in the
medical management of disability claims under this subchapter and provides
claimants with assistance in coordinating medical care.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2f884e7c-2a3f-4dd3-b391-46451b481da3"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may use field nurses to
coordinate medical services and vocational rehabilitation programs for injured
employees under this subchapter. If an employee refuses to cooperate with a
field nurse or obstructs a field nurse in the performance of duties under this
subchapter, the right to compensation under this subchapter shall be suspended
until the refusal or obstruction
stops.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaef1f3c7-34a0-4612-a47f-28fee6f9189d" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>311.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subrogation of continuation of pay</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf5ab9159-04c0-4520-8477-b81987ba0745"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8131 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0475b6bb-ea0f-4351-98af-439f0239e0b5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a), in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by inserting <quote>continuation of pay or</quote> before
<quote>compensation</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id39f44972-b810-48d5-a0c8-6eb6c233963c"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (b), by inserting
<quote>continuation of pay or</quote> before <quote>compensation</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id54016936-42e7-4868-8a31-b776cd006b2a"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (c)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc4db5b4a-16de-4ffb-8bbe-8a0d6f0f8723"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>continuation of pay
or</quote> before <quote>compensation already paid</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddd48ee2d-547f-45e0-b6d7-18547a549c24"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting “continuation of pay or”
before <quote>compensation payable</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50a9a7ae-6991-41fd-b84a-2d61e07550c8"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Adjustment after recovery from a third
person</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8132 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id012885b1-1e8b-41ff-99fe-b11009674139"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the first sentence—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3f63cb4d-aa84-438e-8ec5-cf23a62e9ef8"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>continuation of pay
or</quote> before <quote>compensation is payable</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4c1350fd-4a9f-4977-9757-a360d9422d8c"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>continuation of pay
or</quote> before <quote>compensation from the United States</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id42df7310-b694-4dd1-a397-b4cf58d883b0"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>by him or in his
behalf</quote> and inserting <quote>by the beneficiary or on behalf of the
beneficiary</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5ecfaad4-d5c0-446b-b7de-f63dd324e598"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>continuation of pay
and</quote> before <quote>compensation paid by the United States</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8c00bba5-cae6-445d-8261-fea60977cd94"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>compensation payable to
him</quote> and inserting <quote>continuation of pay or compensation payable to
the beneficiary</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7f8b5296-dbdc-4d19-8a93-e9f88d86798c"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the second sentence, by striking
<quote>his designee</quote> and inserting <quote>the designee of the
beneficiary</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd20d8f85-2e05-4213-b0c8-38ba12869895"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the fourth sentence, by striking
<quote>If compensation</quote> and all that follows through <quote>payable to
him by the United States</quote> and inserting <quote>If continuation of pay or
compensation has not been paid to the beneficiary, the money or property shall
be credited against continuation of pay or compensation payable to the
beneficiary by the United States</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id90EC061FB46D47CD875F33177DF77A9E"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section and the
amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of
this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDf2509c01770c4022a98120aa4e0ca7ab" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>312.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Integrity and compliance</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id11B05EEEED3D4FFA9B0499CAA6075BEE"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of chapter 81 is amended by
adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD76F7D72DE9243DBA909CB61A448147F" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8A82EB2F469E49BFA41A814E5F89F5EB" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>8153.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Integrity and Compliance Program</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1cc87901feeb462796f774588d7baa27"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd23a102ab2984b4093e7cab2bece3f3b"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>FECA program</term> means
the Federal Employees Compensation Program administered under this
subchapter;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0bdaede99fd34cdbbb82d0b7e13b290d"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>improper payment</term> has
the meaning given that term in section 2(f) of the Improper Payments
Information Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idECEF8A8DB33D4FE2B8E27E0E3CAA5986"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>Inspector
General</term>—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1BD10BAF61434AA6BABE86A96E67814F"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">means an Inspector General described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (I) of section 11(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8CFE559BB3E74DBA8556F1B21671B195"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not include the Inspector General of
an entity having no employees covered under the FECA program.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7AED5B0424274CC0AC60B695244AB02F"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>Integrity and Compliance
Program</term> means the Integrity and Compliance Program established under
subsection (b);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID008501dfb95f45bb81948d9b84bed688"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>provider</term> means a
provider of medical or other services under the FECA program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDda646d833c0846fc9b2416bb3a173d9c"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>Secretary</term> means the
Secretary of Labor; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9945F8F88EBF4A0D96277F8C54694712"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>Task Force</term> means the
FECA Integrity and Compliance Task Force established under subsection
(c)(2)(A).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc5d07e38f5114a2a8f1b099f71f6fda9"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Integrity and compliance
program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 270
days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish
an Integrity and Compliance Program for the purpose of preventing, identifying,
and recovering fraudulent and other improper payments for the FECA program,
which shall include—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID46b6785048bb457ba49fb924c6553578"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">procedures for identifying potentially
improper payments before payment is made to claimants and providers, including,
where appropriate, predictive analytics;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID20640cb36ebb4a61a2e8efe52f4752e8"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">reviews after payment is made to identify
potentially improper payments to claimants and providers;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3082d1ea4cd94a309a201f74d7423fee"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">on-going screening and verification
procedures to ensure the continued eligibility of medical providers to provide
services under the FECA program, including licensure, Federal disbarment, and
the existence of relevant criminal convictions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8492492d46e541df948ce82977d01d3f"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provision of appropriate information,
education, and training to claimants and providers on requirements to ensure
the integrity of the FECA program, including payments under the FECA
program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3f7383ce726e4ba5b6e4b2ad3389a738"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">appropriate controls and audits to ensure
that providers adopt internal controls and procedures for compliance with
requirements under the FECA program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDE520BB98F184C1599734E83B320D0C0"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">procedures to ensure—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3412C804DFAD45F0A48CBF94AA2581A2"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">initial and continuing eligibility of
claimants for compensation, benefits, or services under the FECA program;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1D484C182D5146FB8A4390B652ACD754"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ongoing verification of information in
databases relating to claimants to ensure accuracy and completeness; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc3982921835648dca7264515483d87bb"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">sharing and accessing data and information
with other agencies and instrumentalities of the United States, including the
United States Postal Service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID38987ea49b84476d9e879e4ab59d3695"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Interagency cooperation on anti-fraud
efforts</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID02c28d5cf01e44ebaed5aefdf305bfc8"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In administering the FECA program,
including the Integrity and Compliance Program, the Secretary shall cooperate
with other agencies and instrumentalities of the United States (including the
United States Postal Service) and the Inspectors General of such agencies and
instrumentalities to prevent, identify, and recover fraudulent and other
improper payments under the FECA program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDfca082f8f161468b832ee33e4dd6a679"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Task force</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID751a07bf08724834b6f9584b05b844c3"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established a task force, which
shall be known as the FECA Integrity and Compliance Task Force.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id373818D79C0547E085AC8FA0945B2D84"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Membership</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The members of the Task Force shall
be—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3edb08bd4626411193ef0acd16564fee"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary, who shall serve as the
Chairperson of the Task Force;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6c8b6bc44d3949a193be8562c1d1d723"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postmaster General, who shall serve as
the Vice Chairperson of the Task Force;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0bb5150eedd0471d95005fef29c4a053"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Attorney General;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3f9f18bb1093479bb82de17db1de038a"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9cffe2ad0f2f45e9b3ddb6a333a29c90"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">other appropriate Federal officials, as
determined by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Task Force.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc5f586d811754590b5ca17b0ba208162"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Advisory members</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The following officials shall attend
meetings of the Task Force and participate as ad hoc, advisory members, to
provide technical assistance and guidance to the Task Force with respect to the
duties of the Task Force:</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd73006365b704dbc82bb47b7ed08f4a0"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Inspector General of the Department of
Labor.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID831405b774f245eeb2665d1a67a21e19"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Inspector General of the United States
Postal Service.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDbb8a9e9875244ccfb81885945363b4e0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Inspectors General of other appropriate
agencies and instrumentalities of the United States that employ a significant
number of individuals receiving compensation, benefits, or services under the
FECA program, as determined by the Chairperson of the Task Force.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID36d37bd8cbf64f1ba20978358f245d0d"><enum>(D)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duties</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Task Force shall—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc907924bf3de493fbd675ec37dcf9646"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">set forth, in writing, a description of the
respective roles and responsibilities in preventing, identifying, recovering,
and prosecuting fraud under, and otherwise ensuring integrity and compliance
of, the FECA program of—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc666995287b541a7a59082246b59b395"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary (including subordinate
officials such as the Director of the Office of Workers’ Compensation
Programs);</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDcae4476cbeed4a17864fada949b2031d"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Inspector General of the Department of
Labor;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID50db63511a244b53b966b24ca91640b2"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Inspectors General of agencies and
instrumentalities of the United States that employ claimants under the FECA
program;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd8270762189e464c8ed9246235381074"><enum>(IV)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Attorney General; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID29902bd003c54f6db5aef75e27279bf2"><enum>(V)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other relevant officials;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID86ba23df52f04c6abf8ddde4d5cf397d"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">develop procedures for sharing information
of possible fraud under the FECA program or other intentional misstatements by
claimants or providers under the FECA program, including procedures
addressing—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID649c7c486e134d7bbcd0818d9950d196"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notification of appropriate officials of
the Department of Labor of potential fraud or other intentional misstatements,
including provision of supporting information;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd8c09a7589ec44899af9af9ce423ef53"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">timely and appropriate response by
officials of the Department of Labor to notifications described in subclause
(I);</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6c4100d1194f4dd298160eb85bfbe3f1"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the inclusion of information and evidence
relating to fraud and other intentional misstatements in criminal, civil, and
administrative proceedings relating to the provision of compensation, benefits,
or medical services (including payments to providers) under the FECA
program;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID38ee6c456e5c4459a2e64248212eaa78"><enum>(IV)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the coordination of criminal investigations
with the administration of the FECA program; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa5d6ab5799744fd69f9ba7da6c3ccf8a"><enum>(V)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the protection of information relating to
an investigation of possible fraud under the FECA program from potential
disclosure, including requirements that enable investigative files to be
appropriately separated from case management files;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID69697028d2bb4dcfb7c8a5b064d41f5a"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House
of Representatives a report that includes the description and procedures
required under clauses (i) and (ii).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idedae7792fc5d44dab59e30e67f8fe23e"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rule of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to limit or restrict any authority of an Inspector General.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5a805f0d3d534fe798945aa99704d5ca"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Improvements to access of Federal
databases</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID33eda010c2c34f09818b50e1da21c423"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In order to improve compliance with the
requirements under and the integrity of the FECA program, or as required to
otherwise detect and prevent improper payments under the FECA program
(including for purposes of computer matching under subsection (e)(1)(D)), upon
written request—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDfc5b255060114546a7c4a0e75bc5f933"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Commissioner of Social Security shall
make available to the Secretary, the Postmaster General, and each Inspector
General the Social Security earnings information of a living or deceased
employee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1569daba16184583bbaa5ab5fba1dfbd"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management shall make available to the Secretary, the Postmaster General, and
each Inspector General the information in the databases of Federal employees
and retirees maintained by the Director; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID792db7b10b9d40798de013722410706f"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
make available to the Secretary, the Postmaster General, and each Inspector
General the information in the database of disabled individuals maintained by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID87bfb9e0dfcb471ab5b709f7dac9fdbd"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">National directory of new
hires</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Upon written request,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make available to the
Secretary, the Postmaster General, each Inspector General, and the Comptroller
General of the United States the information in the National Directory of New
Hires for purposes of carrying out this subchapter, in order to improve
compliance with the requirements under and the integrity of the FECA program,
or as required to otherwise detect and prevent improper payments under the FECA
program (including for purposes of computer matching under subsection
(e)(1)(D)). The Comptroller General may obtain information from the National
Directory of New Hires for purposes of any audit, evaluation, or investigation,
including any audit, evaluation, or investigation relating to program
integrity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4905b7a454f24ad4aea657d5a69c4adb"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Procedures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish procedures
for correlating the identity and status of recipients of compensation,
benefits, or services under this subchapter with Social Security earnings
information described in paragraph (1)(A).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID10147985fe784ee4b8ba0690349b7631"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Provision</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Information requested under this subsection
shall be provided—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDbf61d45454a84c1a913ef833004acb1f"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in a timely manner;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc30b73a21de9439699d255c48637903b"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">at a reasonable cost to the Secretary, the
Postmaster General, or an Inspector General;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7e191030dc6d48ab96578e7efff86832"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">without cost to the Comptroller General of
the United States; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID98ec63b0336a4a83b81f4d9d3556eb00"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the manner, frequency, and form
reasonably specified by the officer making the request, which, upon request,
shall include electronic form.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc2b4fd3371524236a3b0df28a13f078b"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assessment of data
cost-effectiveness</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID138101ae38f043dab0d7eaaead88df45"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall consider and assess
procedures for correlating the identity and status of recipients of
compensation, benefits, or services under this subchapter with information
relating to employees, retirees, and individuals described in subparagraphs (B)
and (C) of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID83a09f20f9ea4b8baa27d6fd95b3a7d7"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the
Workforce of the House of Representatives a report on the cost-effectiveness of
the use of the databases described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph
(1) and paragraph (2) for program compliance and integrity. The report required
under this subparagraph may be included as part of the report required under
subsection (f).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb5079b2fe2384efe99cde9089cae7702"><enum>(6)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">United States postal service feca enrollee
database</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section, in order to track, verify,
and communicate with the Secretary and other relevant entities, the Postmaster
General shall establish an electronic database of information relating to
employees of the United States Postal Service who have applied for or are
receiving compensation, benefits, or services under this subchapter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb05040184f71450cad02086a22b07dda"><enum>(7)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rule of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to limit the authority of the Comptroller General of the United
States under section 716 of title 31.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2c2e8d8942ae4c92ae0b223da1b96461"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">General protocols and security</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc0b4669dc9674703960f5b2cf0a6338a"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id123f83958cbd42ffaacf82597e98a51f"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In order to ensure strong information
security and privacy standards, the Task Force shall establish protocols for
the secure transfer and storage of any information provided to an individual or
entity under this section.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc85931545145467d90165fea7c0e3002"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In establishing protocols under
subparagraph (A), the Task Force shall consider any recommendations submitted
to the Secretary by the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human
Services with respect to the secure transfer and storage of information, and to
comply with privacy laws and best practices.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5c4594ad74c948ef845f9e6302ca7773"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fraud case protection</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Task Force shall establish protocols
and procedures to enable information and materials relating to an active
investigation of possible fraud relating to the FECA program to be
appropriately kept separate from the files for employees relating to the
provision of compensation, benefits, or services under the FECA program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd0544155911d4edeba48fcd69103958f"><enum>(D)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Computer matching by federal agencies for
purposes of investigation and prevention of improper payments and
fraud</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaa6570abfba04e20ab2850221d64aa5e"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in this subparagraph, in
accordance with section 552a (commonly known as the Privacy Act of 1974), the
Secretary, the Postmaster General, each Inspector General, and the head of each
agency may enter into computer matching agreements that allow ongoing data
matching (which shall include automated data matching) in order to assist in
the detection and prevention of improper payments under the FECA
program.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id51d764518cdc49078ef4ddfa323b2355"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after a proposal for
an agreement under clause (i) has been presented to a Data Integrity Board
established under section 552a(u) for consideration, the Data Integrity Board
shall approve or deny the agreement.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfa80e9716fce48dc95beab6b6993b8a8"><enum>(iii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Termination date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An agreement under clause (i)—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id95bfc694ae4944af894ded9199256746"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall have a termination date of less than
3 years; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id16b2fe7e84e449c5b7ccfd7314aef5b1"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">during the 3-month period ending on the
date on which the agreement is scheduled to terminate, may be renewed by the
agencies entering the agreement for not more than 3 years.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id191db6edf3f14d458ba5316f8e80968d"><enum>(iv)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Multiple agencies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this subparagraph, section
552a(o)(1) shall be applied by substituting <quote>between the source agency
and the recipient agency or non-Federal agency or an agreement governing
multiple agencies’ for ‘between the source agency and the recipient agency or
non-Federal agency</quote> in the matter preceding subparagraph (A).</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id00743d5a4e634794ba8d1f6115baf1f5"><enum>(v)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cost-benefit analysis</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An agreement under clause (i) may be
entered without regard to section 552a(o)(1)(B), relating to a cost-benefit
analysis of the proposed matching program.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1c02e4db694a4afa8845edc1ba5cf9ea"><enum>(vi)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Guidance by the office of management and
budget</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 6
months after the date of enactment of the <short-title>Workers' Compensation Reform Act of 2012</short-title>,
and in consultation with the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and
Efficiency, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of
Social Security, and the head of any other relevant agency, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3bdc62f403a749d49844efaf67f2e033"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">issue guidance for agencies regarding
implementing this subparagraph, which shall include standards for reimbursement
costs, when necessary, between agencies; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04994a5457c446f499e9e7a2dde3d84f"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish standards and develop standard
matching agreements for the purpose of improving the process for establishing
data use or computer matching agreements.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd281c8c5e4a64f3e8a0533ad43e4abf7"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Compliance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary, the Postmaster General, and
each Inspector General shall ensure that any information provided to an
individual or entity under this section is provided in accordance with
protocols established under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3606ED2416E64C1A9422879A3443F5E3"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rule of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section shall be construed
to affect the rights of an individual under section 552a(p).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID96ac217c1cdc4edf82b1838b39f78200"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary
shall submit a report on the activities of the Secretary under this section,
including implementation of the Integrity and Compliance Program, to—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID51d64cf132c549aa988bcd72985a5553"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7f60e6cc4a8d4d169b852bd5d5b45060"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb2ee1fabfe9b48c3a2432217f2a56ed2"><enum>(g)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">GAO review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Comptroller General of the United
States shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD7F975FC6BF84F3EB93DFF62FE3ACD9F"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">conduct periodic reviews of the Integrity
and Compliance Program; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91935B76477B402994E58B7957E52F2E"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit reports on the results of the
reviews under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House
of Representatives not later than—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb9b925c91ddf4bfabcc85b6bb1be4184"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">2 years after the date of enactment of this
section; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID17b70c155a3c4ff5943cf38ff50770c9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">3 years after submission of the report
under subparagraph
(A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB853A2DD3A7647CFBF39D1DBC72D4AC7"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
sections for chapter 81 is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8152 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id966130aa-db5a-4ccc-8f65-9e46e91bcf35" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" idref="id8A82EB2F469E49BFA41A814E5F89F5EB" level="section">8153. Integrity and Compliance
Program.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE4BAB133C6954594AEB35656BD168747"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section and the
amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of
this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f31fcba-3699-4d6f-b5ea-e82678e9b0f5" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>313.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amount of compensation</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id969111da-ad5b-45c5-ac61-cc3334763220"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Injuries to face, head, and
neck</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8107(c)(21) is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6e70267f-a1f2-4d1a-8cc5-d2268b0bcd47"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>not to exceed
$3,500</quote> and inserting <quote>in proportion to the severity of the
disfigurement, not to exceed $50,000,</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5a436d7d-0c5d-45fa-85ee-c30943849114"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:
<quote>The maximum amount of compensation under this paragraph shall be
increased on March 1 of each year by the amount determined by the Secretary of
Labor to represent the percent change in the price index published for December
of the preceding year over the price index published for the December of the
year prior to the preceding year, adjusted to the nearest one-tenth of 1
percent.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id275abd15-36b3-4560-b3b3-a1a022fee77a"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funeral expenses</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8134(a) is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1886e0ab-e0a3-41ff-82f3-6296e352eea7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>$800</quote> and
inserting <quote>$6,000</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id02763bd0-ce63-43d5-8563-1cb1b70b87a1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:
<quote>The maximum amount of compensation under this subsection shall be
increased on March 1 of each year by the amount determined by the Secretary of
Labor to represent the percent change in the price index published for December
of the preceding year over the price index published for the December of the
year prior to the preceding year, adjusted to the nearest one-tenth of 1
percent.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf8982ca6-dc68-4cd1-8690-73dcb01ea31c"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by this section shall
apply to injuries or deaths, respectively, occurring on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id6bedaffb4e8d478196d07852e45c4bbe"><enum>314.</enum><header>Terrorism
injuries; zones of armed conflict</header>
<subsection id="ida53721f88c844f25978ce4075c1b3adc"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Covering
terrorism injuries</header><text>Section 8102(b) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—</text>
<paragraph id="ide2c5f0e331344b6b81e887c666d865ae"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>or from an attack by a terrorist or terrorist organization, either known
or unknown,</quote> after <quote>force or individual,</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5cde312740f14e9c9f7120fc0e20bab4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>outside</quote> and all that follows through <quote>1979)</quote> and
inserting <quote>outside of the United States</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id440be9a598c44777b4384168159edca1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Continuation of
pay in a zone of armed conflict</header><text>Section 8118 of title 5, United
States Code, as amended by section 308(b) of this Act, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id757580433487405e93177746bea404b2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection
(b), by striking <quote>Continuation</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as
provided under subsection (d)(2), continuation</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idee130c39056e4405aedb32b609f234c5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection
(c), as redesignated by section 308(b)(4) of this Act, by striking
<quote>subsection (a)</quote> and inserting <quote>subsection (a) or
(d)</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ide2309161a9ba4a68b11022894063d314"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (d), as redesignated by section 308(b)(4) of this Act, as subsection
(e); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id1ED817E541C8406285333CDC5154AF7A"><enum>(4)</enum><text>inserting after
subsection (c) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8373b4fc55d0442aa2a0ac995e222591" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id952a05dffdda44ea86ef1d3e2fb3fe1a"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Continuation of
pay in a zone of armed conflict</header>
<paragraph id="id7d51442ae3a546ca82f8d79ececf6252"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (a), the United States shall
authorize the continuation of pay of an employee described in subparagraph (A),
(C), (D), or (F) of section 8101(1), who—</text>
<subparagraph id="idfc12236cdc8e48ae91c7d13d051d3548"><enum>(A)</enum><text>files a claim for
a period of wage loss due to an injury in performance of duty in a zone of
armed conflict (as determined by the Secretary of Labor under paragraph (3));
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id86c48b1d462e4c6894c7f53ceab3a19d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>files the claim
for such wage loss benefit with the immediate superior of the employee not
later than 45 days after the later of—</text>
<clause id="ide6d1d3b26ab8463fb59c545334d9fc07"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the termination
of the assignment of the employee to the zone of armed conflict; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id1d1768fdae0e4da58dc95b2ec9719e7f"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the return of
the employee to the United States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2365a4ef647c47829bbd815641a3249e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Continuation of
pay</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (b), continuation of pay under
this subsection shall be furnished for a period not to exceed 135 days without
any break in time or waiting period, unless controverted under regulations
prescribed by the Secretary of Labor.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id57b85ce1d1f648c59dbbafff33b3c345"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Determination
of zones of armed conflict</header><text>For purposes of this subsection, the
Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of Defense, shall determine whether a foreign country or other
foreign geographic area outside of the United States (as defined in section
202(a)(7) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C.
4302(a)(7)) is a zone of armed conflict based on whether—</text>
<subparagraph id="id75efda0f7af44b73835b21059942725e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Armed Forces
of the United States are involved in hostilities in the country or area;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida7375819ce7e4c969fe7f9245b286054"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the incidence of
civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions threatens
physical harm or imminent danger to the health or well-being of United States
civilian employees in the country or area;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4394562250f0482499d7c01ececd68fe"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the country or
area has been designated a combat zone by the President under section 112(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd45c20bac54e4441a7bdf4f4ecab50bb"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a contingency
operation involving combat operations directly affects civilian employees in
the country or area; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide15a7f2ce5334a6d9b7b9116bf4e1466"><enum>(E)</enum><text>there exist other
relevant conditions and
factors.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd3529427-9e66-439e-9102-0f4c7c0d8025" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>315.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendments</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Chapter 81 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3b2c7755-b982-4524-a51f-c7e2f185d237"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in section 8101(1)(D), by inserting
<quote>for an injury that occurred before the effective date of section 204(e)
of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act
(Public Law 93–198; 87 Stat. 783; 5 U.S.C. 8101 note)</quote> before the
semicolon;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id37266972-ab0e-4b2f-959f-6abe40e24910"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in section 8139, by inserting <quote>under
this subchapter</quote> after <quote>Compensation awarded</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb36b11c-145c-4a5b-a9da-2d7b8d2330dd"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in section 8148(a), by striking
<quote>section 8106</quote> and inserting <quote>section 8106a</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3db242f5-3edb-4472-90a6-e0fa2d4770b1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>316.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Regulations</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b0fb6b8-e1b7-4814-9b0b-e37c1b7bf8b5"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As soon as possible after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall promulgate regulations
(which may include interim final regulations) to carry out this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideb5301ad-8ff4-4309-9c22-e811b087ad0c"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The regulations promulgated under
subsection (a) shall include, for purposes of the amendments made by sections
302 and 303, clarification of—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id061594a5-ef0e-48a6-bd95-3a2b348e9e51"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">what is a claim; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbe487c6d-ded9-4af3-910e-57f6259df86c"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">what is the date on which a period of
disability, for which a claim is made, commences.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id48677c7842c7409c824a293333f75d7a" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>317.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Except as otherwise
provided in this title, this title and the amendments made by this title shall
take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</section><enum>IV</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other matters</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id045ca203-5121-4296-9f9b-ef1e0041fb89" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>401.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Solvency plan</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idef953df9-757b-4d64-9117-98570a2e641f"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Plan required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, the
Comptroller General of the United States, and the Commission a plan describing,
in detail, the actions the Postal Service will take to achieve long-term
solvency (as defined in section 208(e) of this Act).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id649959a2-cd92-4c63-bc80-f0a2eb884246"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The plan required under subsection (a)
shall take into consideration—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc8f7edaa-7258-48bc-852c-28aa35f96ff9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the legal authority of the Postal
Service;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1d38ff39-119c-4fb0-b30b-c5c6f90fa36d"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the changes in the legal authority and
responsibilities of the Postal Service under this Act;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id45e71a34-2d06-4982-b8f0-9e5052828f87"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any cost savings that the Postal Service
anticipates will be achieved through negotiations with employees of the Postal
Service;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id260ad4f4-6a9a-4d2e-bdaf-2891e24f50c5"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">projected changes in mail volume;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id8D5F54D7182649EF9DDC3179682E623A"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the impact
of—</text>
<subparagraph id="id7A21AFB3FE7A49F1ACC457DFDF83FD04"><enum>(A)</enum><text>regulations the
Postmaster General was required by Congress to promulgate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id597D145E450545199790BD4D067AD7C6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>congressional
action required to facilitate the profitability of the Postal Service;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcbb36dad7b474feabc2b1f3d91e3955d"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">projected changes in the number of
employees needed to carry out the responsibilities of the Postal Service;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8ac5eb1668c54f89ba49ae3cd5b079c8"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the long-term capital needs of the Postal
Service, including the need to maintain, repair, and replace facilities and
equipment.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3b4aeb8a-c954-4607-9c2e-41a96ce17608"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Updates</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall update the plan
required under subsection (a) not less frequently than quarterly, until the
last quarter of fiscal year 2015.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idef090d3c-350a-4457-a4cf-c710b33eb102" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>402.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal rates</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31bd7ee4-6df1-4e51-8efb-7023c53e20bb"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Commission study</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc2db9fd7-3a86-4573-ae9f-af8afc0f57f9"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not earlier than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall commence a study to
determine—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida4482e78-9f09-4ef8-a941-6b61e6f74b8d"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whether and to what extent any
market-dominant classes, products, or types of mail services do not bear the
direct and indirect costs attributable to those classes, products, or types of
mail services; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8b4c5627-f8ef-4eae-bbc3-7bb910521648"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the impact of any excess mail processing,
transportation, or delivery capacity of the Postal Service on the direct and
indirect costs attributable to any class, product, or type of mail service that
bears less than 100 percent of the costs attributable to the class, product, or
type of mail service, as determined under subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf1e96d71-1a98-4c54-80ff-449f08c0cd94"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission shall conduct the study
under paragraph (1) in a manner that protects confidential and proprietary
business information.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id20ceab0c-59dc-444e-a6dd-e199df18f1a9"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Hearing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Before completing the study under paragraph
(1), the Commission shall hold a public hearing, on the record, in order to
better inform the conclusions of the study. The Postal Service, postal
customers, and other interested persons may participate in the hearing under
this paragraph.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id47084a7f-ce1b-4dde-a775-446a274ac42f"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Completion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 6 months after the date on
which the Commission commences the study under subsection (a), the Commission
shall complete the study.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbccfd9b3-e014-4a27-bc88-add02794d4db"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual updates required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
completion of the study under subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the
Commission shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf4195896-d53b-4cf4-9c63-5749b8d2b64a"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">determine whether any class of mail bears
less than 100 percent of the direct and indirect costs attributable to the
class, product, or type of mail service, in the same manner as under subsection
(a)(1)(A);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7aeb2035-af1d-4ef5-8323-5d4ef8bd0652"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for any class of mail for which the
Commission makes a determination under paragraph (1), update the study under
subsection (a); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb737dd4f-20cc-4b61-a5c0-925cdbbd3f01"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">include the study updated under paragraph
(2) in the annual written determination of the Commission under section 3653 of
title 39, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1a56977a-d222-4b70-a626-6a3a3159b2da"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal rates</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0121a3e2-e1bb-42c3-ad02-ef2084a0b976"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, the term
<term>loss-making</term>, as used with respect to a class of mail, means a
class of mail that bears less than 100 percent of the costs attributable to the
class of mail, according to the most recent annual determination of the
Commission under subsection (a)(1) or (b)(1), adjusted to account for the
quantitative effect of excess mail processing, transportation, or delivery
capacity of the Postal Service on the costs attributable to the class of
mail.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id838e005b-0b40-48af-ab33-b01bd577e9cb"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the study under subsection (a) is completed, and annually thereafter, the
Postal Service shall establish postal rates for each loss-making class of
mail.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7209d906-0a08-41e1-9feb-2e9ef0ad82d4"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service may establish postal
rates under paragraph (2) in a manner that ensures, to the extent practicable,
that a class of mail described in paragraph (2) is not loss-making by—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2ebce31f-4e4d-4c8d-9c2b-e6d50d633f32"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">using the authority to increase rates under
section 3622(d)(1)(A) of title 39, United States Code;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc5588ff0-aeac-44c9-898f-7c290baa5283"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">exhausting any unused rate adjustment
authority, as defined in section 3622(d)(2)(C) of title 39, United States Code,
subject to paragraph (4); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf1dfd5c5-cfdc-4f71-9040-151c06148716"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">maximizing incentives to reduce costs and
increase efficiency with regard to the processing, transportation, and delivery
of such mail by the Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb758eeb6-1f2a-48f7-b6fc-5c2455d06759"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Unused rate adjustment
authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section
3622(d)(2)(C) of title 39, United States Code, shall be applied by annually
increasing by 2 percentage points any unused rate adjustment authority for a
class of mail that bears less than 90 percent of the costs attributable to the
class of mail, according to the most recent annual determination of the
Commission under subsection (a)(1) or (b)(1), adjusted to account for the
quantitative effect of excess mail processing, transportation, or delivery
capacity of the Postal Service on the costs attributable to the class of
mail.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id179DC85B8558430FBD6494A5CB94D08B" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>403.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Co-location with Federal
agencies</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Chapter 5 of subtitle
I of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id818C8F48973045D09ACC1F8E77801210" style="USC">
<subchapter commented="no" id="id31D2B5541D32478BA9CEE612DFEAEFC6" level-type="subsequent"><enum>VII</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Federal real property asset
management</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2f555fe60f64b04ad7efb0271f827a7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>701.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subchapter:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf5acec4660b24e0baa851ecaab6d3d02"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Agency field office</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>agency field office</term>
means the field office of a landholding agency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6DBF4B6E241245FC852E662257B8B2CD"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Council</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Council</term> means the
Federal Real Property Council established under section 702.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd7b9bc07257741cd9e59879c88981dd6"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Landholding agency</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>landholding agency</term>
has the same meaning as in section 501(i) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11411(i)).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6b1f941836e9435c91fbc7fb62156b38"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal property</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Postal property</term> means
real property owned by the United States Postal Service.</text>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide0ce311256e149dd8dbac900770c6192" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>702.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment of a Federal Real Property
Council</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f8fba4270f1439292ac50556599bbac"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is within the Office of Management
and Budget a council to be known as the <quote>Federal Real Property
Council</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9fc16a5747484731a058f79c4a3561d8"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Purpose</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The purpose of the Council shall be to
develop guidance for the asset management program of each executive
agency.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idccc131216adb461cabba5e97f6dcf977"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Composition</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb31d44ae91be44c4b5a9035931d7a795"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Council shall be composed of—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide924c34f4b864fdbb08c9de7beae8960"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the senior real property officers of each
executive agency;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb9faa40913584f79859cbac5423ba41c"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Deputy Director for Management of the
Office of Management and Budget;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0a4d5b79f9d542b892705bcb1f1f419b"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Controller of the Office of Management
and Budget;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaa826790928042728ade2a7827416129"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Administrator of General Services;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaca8a6cb5e0240639d3e5ff0c9211d38"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other full-time or permanent part-time
Federal officials or employees, as the Chairperson determines to be
necessary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id349de25f0da64e0b84221d5bf6eeb282"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chairperson</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Deputy Director for Management of the
Office of Management and Budget shall serve as Chairperson of the
Council.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id868c58498d2f4730b9574a365bb8acf1"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Administrative support</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Office of Management and Budget shall
provide funding and administrative support for the Council, as
appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id16dae982b9924e21a0d7f6ef07c5b06e" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>703.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Co-location among Postal Service
properties</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id69f5cbc4157e4055a9c849d2b1f6ee19"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Co-location among Postal Service
properties</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8daeede129dc4e1e8ddb2688eef543f7"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Identification of real property
assets</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each year, the Council
shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd6c5be0ec2e140aba51b0457687e0c84"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identify and compile a list of agency field
offices that are suitable for co-location with another Federal civilian real
property asset; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida2a531de421a487b9df54353e6267d61"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit the list to the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget and the Postmaster General of the United
States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb700083ead6343e6bc236cc598883d83"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal property</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc1370161c26949128bdfed4b59124c23"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 30 days after the completion
of a list under paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget, in collaboration with the Postmaster General, shall identify agency
field offices on the list that are within reasonable distance of a Postal
property.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6d7a75f7e6a6419dbda0d71d9e224b47"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reasonable distance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this paragraph, an agency
field office shall be considered to be within reasonable distance of a Postal
property if the office would be able to fulfill the mission of the office if
the office is located at the Postal property.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91a92aeadb874303badd8c8cce16a0da"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Review by Postal Service</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the receipt of
the list submitted under subparagraph (B), the Postmaster General shall—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida392c0d3959c4c3083e5cdb3eeca028e"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review the list; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f2e96c901574f0f92576bca1a4c043c"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget a report containing the conclusions of the review.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id63b65299d9234c1cb53e3d1cfea8b40f"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Terms of co-location</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">On approval of the recommendations under
paragraph (2) by the Postmaster General and the applicable agency head, the
co-location of a Postal property and an agency field office shall consist of
the Executive agency that owns or leases the agency field office entering into
a lease for space within the Postal property with United States Postal Service
that has—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide141adfb1aac4b5e9b9853b720879e42"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an initial lease term of not less than 5
years; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id06316ee12b634a11b7bcbb62295c7ea7"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a cost that is within 5 percent of the
prevailing market lease rate for a similarly situated
space.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section></subchapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id85860f43-ba8a-4cf5-902d-727a887e67f4" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>404.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cooperation with State and local
governments; intra-Service agreements</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcca1f701-aefd-4465-a467-cd7ebcbe15b4"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cooperation with State and local
governments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 411 of
title 39, United States Code, is amended, in the first sentence, by striking
<quote>and the Government Printing Office</quote> and inserting <quote>, the
Government Printing Office, and agencies and other units of State and local
governments</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb356dae9-0ceb-4f7d-a0ef-cd020e891e8b"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Intra-Service agreements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 411 of title 39, United States
Code, as amended by subsection (a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide143dc58-5681-47fc-b0cb-828373bcd856"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the section heading, by adding at the
end the following: <quote><header-in-text level="section" style="USC">and
within the Postal Service</header-in-text></quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1683f7b2-2a36-4faf-9346-520915be3cd6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the second sentence, by striking
<quote>section</quote> and inserting <quote>subsection</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id552f1608-9481-43f8-bd2a-b9b9e52c1b2e"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>Executive
agencies</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b8295f5-48ad-4c61-95ad-6414962c4496" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34e8f0a3-2167-4456-8c3f-6496ba0228fc"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cooperation with State and local
governments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Executive
agencies</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6d607297-58ba-4d24-b21d-2a9260d20c93"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfb257404-dfbe-41f0-96bd-69faac62c0d2" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf68f856a-02b4-4ee2-bb36-ef07475c94e3"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Cooperation within the Postal
Service</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Office of the
Inspector General and other components of the Postal Service may enter into
agreements to furnish to each other property, both real and personal, and
personal and nonpersonal services. The furnishing of property and services
under this subsection shall be under such terms and conditions, including
reimbursability, as the Inspector General and the head of the component
concerned shall deem
appropriate.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id94e2b0f7-b272-4903-b8e2-f26853b5ef36"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
sections for chapter 4 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 411 and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id468785f6-7a63-473e-93ca-c896b40a2864" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">411. Cooperation with other
Government agencies and within the Postal
Service.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id38335bf4-eece-4100-98a7-800d181cafeb" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>405.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Shipping of wine, beer, and distilled
spirits</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7def4d8e-fefc-4c9d-bcaf-4eb8c50cbf90"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Mailability</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id911f89ef-b809-47fa-9afb-77cf882c191b"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nonmailable articles</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1716(f) 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 section 3001(p) of
title 39</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb813c6e5-484f-4104-a27f-70e6b10f6b01"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Application of laws</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1161 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended, by inserting <quote>, and, with respect to the mailing of
distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages (as those terms are defined in
section 117 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 211)), is in
conformity with section 3001(p) of title 39</quote> after
<quote>Register</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2b96790d-1bcf-4866-ab03-382c2208862d"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 3001 of title 39, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida6db4cce-742c-403b-bc73-9ce55bcdebe3" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2e86bfb8-8e0e-48d0-a177-f97566840b8b"><enum>(p)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6b7db7a1-83c9-45f9-9b8f-d85e4b2ca0e5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, the terms
<term>distilled spirits</term>, <term>wine</term>, and <term>malt
beverage</term> have the same meanings as in section 117 of the Federal Alcohol
Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 211).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc9052edb87e94002842468f1db4ff739" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages
shall be considered mailable if mailed—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5532ec3c8c474af5bc05e3b9c6fcc728"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in
accordance with the laws and regulations of—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0ae53dc0d09c4863b211ab0d87c5ef08"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the State, territory, or district of the
United States where the sender or duly authorized agent initiates the mailing;
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcf2b166e44fc45b6baa7565e69c254f6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the State, territory, or district of the
United States where the addressee or duly authorized agent takes delivery;
and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5e3263af24c14041991dc5013ab9a811"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to
an addressee who is at least 21 years of age—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB42BA32539014493B10A40FB27300C2A"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">who provides a signature and presents a
valid, government-issued photo identification upon delivery; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id821AF74310BE4A52B79C5C5A28B0E4C0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the duly authorized agent of whom—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF544DE2BED604345903378FFE2523E2B"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is at least 21 years of age; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id65C0664D7A8648DA8EE0C8CBCCEC7D36"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provides a signature and presents a valid,
government-issued photo identification upon delivery.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8dacde09-c19a-442d-95ad-891dfcdc1832" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service shall prescribe such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id75182277-5ada-46e5-96d2-5f83a5d2cccb"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by
this section shall take effect on the earlier of—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4454c0dc-8292-4871-a7e1-e2d425ce3a58"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which the Postal Service issues
regulations under section 3001(p) of title 39, United States Code, as amended
by this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1ab37a86-129c-4ee0-88ed-8bbf93e5b5ed"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">120 days after the date of enactment of
this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04743f0a-c275-4f7b-9b3e-6e1a6d98e9f9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>406.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual report on United States mailing
industry</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4cb3711d-4b0c-4cb0-8c94-47536de26df3"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chapter 24 of title 39, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0468bbee-b600-448f-9885-842f4f42640c" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id65f0e8e7-6cfa-45e3-862b-4e095a108d12" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2403.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual report on the fiscal stability of
the United States mailing industry</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id721dd9db-f2d8-4ca1-93ac-da36d0966fff"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Postal Regulatory
Commission shall submit a report on the fiscal stability of the United States
mailing industry with respect to the preceding fiscal year to—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id320ad8de-20f5-4f5f-9c7a-c749c678edb3"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb62cd443-bca7-4b80-b509-3a355e6c349d"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6ef5174d-ccf6-49b2-af1c-5b4350c7183c"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The United States Postal Service and any
Federal agency involved in oversight or data collection regarding industry
sectors relevant to the report under subsection (a) shall provide any
assistance to the Postal Regulatory Commission that the Postal Regulatory
Commission determines is necessary in the preparation of a report under
subsection
(a).</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6979be55-20b4-4aea-a3da-f1cca500799f"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
sections for chapter 24 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc11eb990-ffa5-49ed-b6b4-41573d761e94" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">2403. Annual report on the
fiscal stability of the United States mailing
industry.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd0152b10-dee5-4229-be15-360fd808911a" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>407.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Use of negotiated service
agreements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3622 of
title 39, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide4d493f7-5e5c-474a-bacf-827c23a3ad46"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (c)(10)(A)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80cb9c59-eafb-4a5f-b4fa-3101cadc8647"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the matter preceding clause (i), by
striking <quote>either</quote> and inserting <quote>will</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd97a95a5-9a21-4658-bbf3-92c2d44a81c2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (i), by striking
<quote>or</quote> at the end;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb9ad2f14-64f3-4913-8e03-4f8b90adf536"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (ii), by striking
<quote>and</quote> at the end and inserting <quote>or</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id68409104-ede0-4f8a-9147-2fd2641eff0d"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd28d6523-d50e-4202-bcfd-4ab460750978" style="OLC">
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf9adbcaa-7fab-45ed-a4a4-9ebc2a2ffe64"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">preserve mail volume and revenue;
and</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc7002dae-efb0-4579-acf3-f7aa854c7ded"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8bef7190-509d-4985-a813-f2a12e8bd659" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida3034221-bc50-400f-9f3f-c39e121c7202"><enum>(g)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Coordination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service and the Postal
Regulatory Commission shall coordinate actions to identify methods to increase
the use of negotiated service agreements for market-dominant products by the
Postal Service consistent with subsection
(c)(10).</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idba13407d-e7e5-4b7b-9b9e-b1085ab7eca5" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>408.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contract disputes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7101(8) of title 41, United States
Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idae10ddde-e792-4822-9aba-02209c90d230"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (C), by striking
<quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id70f8dd51-b20b-4c59-83cb-c73c3698c506"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (D), by striking the period
at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8a2323e1-5a52-4cb2-9a35-2a0f8a901f45"><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="id2c3faf14-b249-4e4d-83e8-03d3de760b64" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0e882b04-31e0-43c2-9521-dbc74ed4af9d"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the United States Postal Service and the
Postal Regulatory
Commission.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id405e85d0-eba6-45fa-871b-d98ab72e89ec" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>409.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contracting provisions</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc463236d-2b4c-42cb-92e4-3ca88b86d84d"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Part I of title 39, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id39104c51-74af-4f46-b735-77c008474211" style="USC">
<chapter commented="no" id="id02a0f780-eb06-426c-ba54-27b2e818ebad" level-type="subsequent"><enum>7</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contracting provisions</header>
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">Sec.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">701. Definitions.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">702. Advocate for
competition.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">703. Delegation of
contracting authority.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">704. Posting of
noncompetitive purchase requests for noncompetitive contracts.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">705. Review of ethical
issues.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">706. Ethical restrictions on
participation in certain contracting activity.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">707. Congressional oversight
authority.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idda45bbe0-a4bb-4931-8a9f-8cb02cbf7ab7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>701.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this chapter—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1c06d4e1-1f99-4e4b-9377-b51d3585725d"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>contracting officer</term>
means an employee of a covered postal entity who has authority to enter into a
postal contract;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8001e1a4-cee6-46d7-8cd5-dec96d2bfcff"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>covered postal entity</term>
means—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf63f8179-8afe-4299-8455-06481dcea896"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Service; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide30ef771-b512-4803-ba9b-64151c90936f"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Postal Regulatory Commission;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9b14c4fb-1c9e-4271-9ac8-e1a538da095b"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>head of a covered postal
entity</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id98ae5134-2243-4d29-9722-1082e8834562"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of the Postal Service, the
Postmaster General; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7e718091-ea45-4380-b338-52c8d6e4272b"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of the Postal Regulatory
Commission, the Chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3cf1e66d-9e8c-42da-aeea-3a508e5dc338"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>postal contract</term> means
any contract (including any agreement or memorandum of understanding) entered
into by a covered postal entity for the procurement of goods or services;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id05e363f5-4aa1-493d-89ec-3ca9084cf30e"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>senior procurement
executive</term> means the senior procurement executive of a covered postal
entity.</text>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3e56df94-2688-404b-90d0-6a3a513f6ef4" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>702.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Advocate for competition</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idead6b33c-af0a-4cab-80b3-b996c97e1ac5"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment and designation</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4e19f764-f936-4262-ba1d-98458f132752"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established in each covered postal
entity an advocate for competition.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id38ff8cb0-880d-44a9-a476-ef135d4ba74e"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Designation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The head of each covered postal entity
shall designate for the covered postal entity 1 or more officers or employees
(other than the senior procurement executive) to serve as the advocate for
competition.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide328e4f1-4d97-4481-9fa4-792e84cecea8"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Responsibilities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The advocate for competition of each
covered postal entity shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id22155078-f173-45da-ba7c-5a1ec4c4f125"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be responsible for promoting competition to
the maximum extent practicable consistent with obtaining best value by
promoting the acquisition of commercial items and challenging barriers to
competition;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd3d5c0d5-62f1-43a7-a91b-fca56944e552"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review the procurement activities of the
covered postal entity; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81cd786c-e757-49c5-8506-8f4ebdbdc0be"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">prepare and transmit to the head of each
covered postal entity, the senior procurement executive of each covered postal
entity, the Board of Governors, and Congress, an annual report
describing—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9fc85412-b241-41a7-b3f0-3b5de78f0671"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the activities of the advocate under this
section;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2570b47-3a52-4780-b53a-06d785ea0c69"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">initiatives required to promote
competition;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2e4b537d-ef13-4e4b-92ed-7abba32ca3db"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">barriers to competition that remain;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8623bf1-1b9c-4b2c-b94a-0779dd5e74c4"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of waivers made by each covered
postal entity under section 704(c).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb567ad1-3873-4c37-9ae8-5e5c18fc40ad" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>703.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Delegation of contracting
authority</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id831ad29a-c32c-4b00-83ae-8610aa529a0c"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7c32e504-eb35-4898-afc4-12b25d96fb12"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Policy</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of the <short-title>21st Century Postal Service
Act of 2012</short-title>, the head of each covered postal entity shall issue a
policy on contracting officer delegations of authority for the covered postal
entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4687759d-e2fd-4671-817c-31745b3f7bd0"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The policy issued under paragraph (1) shall
require that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf0f4280e-4e46-4071-9fe2-e2f1641027c5"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notwithstanding any delegation of authority
with respect to postal contracts, the ultimate responsibility and
accountability for the award and administration of postal contracts resides
with the senior procurement executive; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idba2427e9-0723-4345-a527-e8cedcb49288"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a contracting officer shall maintain an
awareness of and engagement in the activities being performed on postal
contracts of which that officer has cognizance, notwithstanding any delegation
of authority that may have been executed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24d8c0d8-9692-4b2c-8d5e-58e903855e1a"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Posting of delegations</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31510ebd-abc9-4ea2-8396-7de811b74362"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The head of each covered postal entity
shall make any delegation of authority for postal contracts outside the
functional contracting unit readily available and accessible on the website of
the covered postal entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd6c4aa84-2fd2-442b-9676-528b4e37b862"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This paragraph shall
apply to any delegation of authority made on or after 30 days after the date of
enactment of the <short-title>21st Century Postal Service
Act of 2012</short-title>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcf03b887-a171-4a2e-82b3-bfdffddd3642" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>704.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Posting of noncompetitive purchase requests
for noncompetitive contracts</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id84659861-cd32-4613-9988-7d23491ec6ab"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Posting required</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idccc01e5b-3c1b-4c94-8329-de72a589986a"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal Regulatory Commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Regulatory Commission shall make
the noncompetitive purchase request for any noncompetitive award, including the
rationale supporting the noncompetitive award, publicly available on the
website of the Postal Regulatory Commission—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id044dadd9-2e44-4c4f-ac10-674ad4a713da"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not later than 14 days after the date of
the award of the noncompetitive contract; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd75cc0e6-73fe-496f-be27-3430f305a72e"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not later than 30 days after the date of
the award of the noncompetitive contract, if the basis for the award was a
compelling business interest.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4101b1e6-7d39-43be-98d1-aa4cec35d5aa"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Postal
Service</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Postal Service
shall make the noncompetitive purchase request for any noncompetitive award of
a postal contract valued at $250,000 or more, including the rationale
supporting the noncompetitive award, publicly available on the website of the
Postal Service—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id42ab3fca-b304-47c8-9218-2f7569f7b345"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not later than 14 days after the date of
the award; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id194129fd-29ba-4236-8548-dc2c755aea47"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not later than 30 days after the date of
the award, if the basis for the award was a compelling business
interest.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd5e1179d-a60d-43ee-ade8-af6ae8b8b227"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Adjustments to the posting threshold for
the Postal Service</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2c144ddd-8235-4449-9e96-d7e60d691810"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Review and determination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than January 31 of each year, the
Postal Service shall—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id653674ad-b062-4b29-9263-cbb330057912"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review the $250,000 threshold established
under paragraph (2); and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24c82141-3301-4553-a865-19abc77734ed"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">based on any change in the Consumer Price
Index for all-urban consumers of the Department of Labor, determine whether an
adjustment to the threshold shall be made.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida43a1bd7-7cf7-4d7c-8552-ffa93e2e94c6"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amount of adjustments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An adjustment under subparagraph (A) shall
be made in increments of $5,000. If the Postal Service determines that a change
in the Consumer Price Index for a year would require an adjustment in an amount
that is less than $5,000, the Postal Service may not make an adjustment to the
threshold for the year.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id27f3e66b-b6a2-43b7-ab0b-048df08694b8"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This subsection shall
apply to any noncompetitive contract awarded on or after the date that is 90
days after the date of enactment of the <short-title>21st
Century Postal Service Act of 2012</short-title>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7d11bae5-6c3b-479b-9947-48c05818adae"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Public availability</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2c2df0a4-6026-4e3d-9f48-1a396a95697b"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to paragraph (2), the information
required to be made publicly available by a covered postal entity under
subsection (a) shall be readily accessible on the website of the covered postal
entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2cba60d-f69c-4ab9-9d40-c2a859779d66"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Protection of proprietary
information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A covered postal
entity shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida855f252-8e39-49b0-8dfc-c245ddccc37b"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">carefully screen any description of the
rationale supporting a noncompetitive award required to be made publicly
available under subsection (a) to determine whether the description includes
proprietary data (including any reference or citation to the proprietary data)
or security-related information; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcd1e3f3e-e691-4b5e-9249-a3ab91745d34"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">remove any proprietary data or
security-related information before making publicly available a description of
the rational supporting a noncompetitive award.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbdfca647-3c30-41b4-9bba-1d08f694a464"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Waivers</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0853cf78-d77e-410b-83b8-3358d7985e5c"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Waiver permitted</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a covered postal entity determines that
making a noncompetitive purchase request publicly available would risk placing
the Postal Service at a competitive disadvantage relative to a private sector
competitor, the senior procurement executive, in consultation with the advocate
for competition of the covered postal entity, may waive the requirements under
subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2b49c4ba-a2f6-41ef-9e10-4021801ce876"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Form and content of waiver</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id85c2b5ba-e1fe-4879-b470-994f216e391f"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Form</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A waiver under paragraph (1) shall be in
the form of a written determination placed in the file of the contract to which
the noncompetitive purchase agreement relates.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5c0b001d-a827-40b4-92e8-95404f5c55ab"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Content</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A waiver under paragraph (1) shall
include—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb061d300-c900-4cd7-adc1-e1d77bfbd356"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the risk associated with
making the noncompetitive purchase request publicly available; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id52064935-18ea-43c5-b4cb-de7120a48ccc"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a statement that redaction of sensitive
information in the noncompetitive purchase request would not be sufficient to
protect the Postal Service from being placed at a competitive disadvantage
relative to a private sector competitor.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5157d335-b504-48de-b2d5-788cda2278e9"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Delegation of waiver
authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A covered postal
entity may not delegate the authority to approve a waiver under paragraph (1)
to any employee having less authority than the senior procurement
executive.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id30cf543c-2c2f-4cdd-97ae-ae6ff938d3c0" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>705.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Review of ethical issues</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If a contracting officer identifies any
ethical issues relating to a proposed contract and submits those issues and
that proposed contract to the designated ethics official for the covered postal
entity before the awarding of that contract, that ethics official shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id46252c2e-0f57-4146-926d-32793f5e8daa"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review the proposed contract; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25e0a93a-5bbd-4ddf-8c87-3e76782d7d5d"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">advise the contracting officer on the
appropriate resolution of ethical issues.</text>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id108f53ff-3992-409c-b808-19107750afd6" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>706.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Ethical restrictions on participation in
certain contracting activity</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb9de1716-c969-40e4-90ff-d59f71b00b7b"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34bb6ebe-7b0c-4b6e-975e-cda45bbecc34"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>covered employee</term>
means—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34ebebee-e300-47fe-bac7-db880e582614"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a contracting officer; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbda59210-58f6-4e5f-8e8f-3fbe4e41ca06"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any employee of a covered postal entity
whose decisionmaking affects a postal contract as determined by regulations
prescribed by the head of a covered postal entity;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2a80681c-76fd-491c-adc1-c2fbcc544ca5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>covered relationship</term>
means a covered relationship described in section 2635.502(b)(1) of title 5,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8a25e897-d899-488d-936b-0248a6f53ee5"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>final conviction</term>
means a conviction, whether entered on a verdict or plea, including a plea of
nolo contendere, for which a sentence has been imposed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6769d81d-6318-45fe-b34e-8fafde651cf4"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id78746e70-ba91-42bd-be78-85dd7965566a"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The head of each covered postal entity
shall prescribe regulations that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id23aaae35-77da-426e-9d86-6b2a17e3cdc0"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require a covered employee to include in
the file of any noncompetitive purchase request for a noncompetitive postal
contract a written certification that—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id86bc803a-b546-4f72-aa57-e858afdc75c1"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">discloses any covered relationship of the
covered employee; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd3b313f2-f5fe-43b0-8b2f-b90da5922807"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the covered employee will not take any
action with respect to the noncompetitive purchase request that affects the
financial interests of a friend, relative, or person with whom the covered
employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity, or otherwise gives rise
to an appearance of the use of public office for private gain, as described in
section 2635.702 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
thereto;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc2c39738-7ee5-472b-a796-a5fb93ae637b"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require a contracting officer to consult
with the ethics counsel for the covered postal entity regarding any disclosure
made by a covered employee under subparagraph (A)(i), to determine whether
participation by the covered employee in the noncompetitive purchase request
would give rise to a violation of part 2635 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations (commonly referred to as the <term>Standards of Ethical Conduct for
Employees of the Executive Branch</term>);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7778227f-4ac4-4c73-b03b-b8c7d32bb72d"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require the ethics counsel for a covered
postal entity to review any disclosure made by a contracting officer under
subparagraph (A)(i) to determine whether participation by the contracting
officer in the noncompetitive purchase request would give rise to a violation
of part 2635 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as
the <term>Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch</term>), or any successor thereto;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9c48ced8-7d44-46ee-b310-1d56c820368b"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">under subsections (d) and (e) of section
2635.50 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto,
require the ethics counsel for a covered postal entity to—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5dfd2ea3-b41a-4624-953c-6a2d622b119f"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">authorize a covered employee that makes a
disclosure under subparagraph (A)(i) to participate in the noncompetitive
postal contract; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9133cf7c-766b-4b7b-a4ee-dac0d09e7ff1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">disqualify a covered employee that makes a
disclosure under subparagraph (A)(i) from participating in the noncompetitive
postal contract;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f6e674b-2379-471c-9994-a9e53ca9f9c1"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require a contractor to timely disclose to
the contracting officer in a bid, solicitation, award, or performance of a
postal contract any conflict of interest with a covered employee; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id70b8775c-221f-49a1-93b7-bbe46f7818a9"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">include authority for the head of the
covered postal entity to a grant a waiver or otherwise mitigate any
organizational or personal conflict of interest, if the head of the covered
postal entity determines that the waiver or mitigation is in the best interests
of the Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7e77a998-82b7-48a2-943e-112b779a62bd"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Posting of waivers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 30 days after the head of a
covered postal entity grants a waiver described in paragraph (1)(F), the head
of the covered postal entity shall make the waiver publicly available on the
website of the covered postal entity.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id23969496-31e4-47d3-a037-986b6134a31a"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contract voidance and recovery</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb7cd6346-40e9-4d94-ac0d-d06281141c05"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Unlawful conduct</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any case in which there is a final
conviction for a violation of any provision of chapter 11 of title 18 relating
to a postal contract, the head of a covered postal entity may—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf1ab9cbf-9fa1-4c9d-ae1b-8183601741c5"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">void that contract; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id716365c9-07dd-4bb7-84ba-3868307ddd1a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recover the amounts expended and property
transferred by the covered postal entity under that contract.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6160e5fc-2e6a-421e-a9bd-6e92cc21b204"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Obtaining or disclosing procurement
information</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaf76f92a-581e-4159-b65d-738b65fb241d"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any case where a contractor under a
postal contract fails to timely disclose a conflict of interest to the
appropriate contracting officer as required under the regulations promulgated
under subsection (b)(1)(D), the head of a covered postal entity may—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9fd9052d-db79-4137-acbe-ca4690bc3ed0"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">void that contract; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id60045ec4-cb62-4c9c-aa3f-89a7eae6b49a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recover the amounts expended and property
transferred by the covered postal entity under that contract.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide24163d9-25c0-4d18-9b8f-7a8e3637f214"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conviction or administrative
determination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A case
described under subparagraph (A) is any case in which—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4733b6aa-5728-44ea-b644-ca699d1ae568"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">there is a final conviction for an offense
punishable under section 27(e) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act
(41 U.S.C. 423(e)); or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3a038d00-2fbf-4563-a876-2addceb0cf42"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the head of a covered postal entity
determines, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the contractor or
someone acting for the contractor has engaged in conduct constituting an
offense punishable under section 27(e) of that Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8C5700E7022D4B55867E35EAEA2A91DA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>707.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Congressional oversight
authority</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Postal Service
may not enter into any contract that restricts the ability of Congress to
exercise oversight
authority.</text>
</section></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9416d634-cef3-44cf-acac-b85069f3e7d3"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
chapters for part I of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idba26ff37-a0e4-4664-b51c-9c690ba321a1" style="OLC">
<toc>
<multi-column-toc-entry bold="off" level="chapter"><toc-enum>7.
</toc-enum><level-header bold="off" level="chapter">Contracting
Provisions</level-header><target>701</target></multi-column-toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id64250C5F0BDA4E188E0E0184F0866937"><enum>410.</enum><header>Executive
compensation</header>
<subsection id="idB33C7857DA0D42B0AF47438BFB69B936"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limit on
maximum compensation</header>
<paragraph id="idA654E9EF18AA4AAEA638CA8E57C2CCB1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Number of
executives</header><text>Section 3686(c) of title 39, United States Code, is
amended in the first sentence by striking <quote>12 officers</quote> and
inserting <quote>6 officers</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4CC39EBBE49F4B5EAF5604D90BEA4401"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Interim
limitation</header>
<subparagraph id="id8C61A8283F0C45CB9EE62D5C84C5A72A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), and
notwithstanding section 3686(c) of title 39, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, for 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, the total compensation of an officer
or employee of the Postal Service may not exceed the annual amount of basic pay
payable for level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title
5.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDF533363EDC54A9ABEACDE4EE400A5B9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Performance
based compensation relating to solvency plan</header>
<clause id="id897CDAC21A2B47CDA9EAB6BFB0E3B239"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Any compensation relating to achieving the goals
established under the plan under section 401 shall not apply toward the limit
on compensation under subparagraph (A).</text>
</clause><clause id="id7AA2B7717A574261BCAA8177FF868A9F"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Other
limitations apply</header><text>Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed
to modify the limitation on compensation under subsections (b) and (c) of
section 3686 of title 39, United States Code, as amended by this Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9398A46A2D90439F838AC78E315791AC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Carry over
compensation</header><text>The Postal Service may not pay compensation for
service performed during a year (in this subsection referred to as the
<quote>base year</quote>) in any subsequent year if the total amount of
compensation provided relating to service during the base year would exceed the
amount specified under section 3686(c) of title 39, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, or subsection (a)(2), as applicable.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id89A807DBA04142549EEF5585A670105E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Benefits</header><text>Section
1003 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id37DB2187B21246D197DA2A2F15868151" style="USC">
<subsection id="id9D2D43EA5C0C43E9A449D86941B1BC9B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Limitations on
Benefits</header><text>For any fiscal year, an officer or employee of the
Postal Service who is in a critical senior executive or equivalent position, as
designated under section 3686(c), may not receive fringe benefits (within the
meaning given that term under section 1005(f)) that are greater than the fringe
benefits received by supervisory and other managerial personnel who are not
subject to collective-bargaining agreements under chapter
12.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id71539255C87D4FC3BF7F33D52D74D414"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date;
applicability</header><text>This section and the amendments made by this
section shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id0703F8346C294A6AB39174149B48129D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>take effect on
the date of enactment of this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2A112E14ADE243E8BDBB9283BD974231"><enum>(2)</enum><text>apply to any
contract entered or modified by the Postal Service on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id6D3BC2FE9F0C4DEDA8602B7F83C27F87"><enum>411.</enum><header>Sense of the
Senate</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of the
Senate that the Postal Service should not close or consolidate any postal
facility (as defined in section 404(f) of title 39, United States Code, as
added by this Act) or post office before the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</section><enum>V</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Miscellaneous</header>
<section id="id4493ABD318244479A7B39AF6E32B6CCC"><enum>501.</enum><header>Government
sponsored conferences</header>
<subsection id="id419E5B5596964D2D9635F7556E5286EC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Travel expenses
of Federal agencies relating to conferences</header>
<paragraph id="id7D5908FE91C04757B4D5C5C0BEA74FEF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Limitations and
reports on travel expenses to conferences</header><text>Chapter 57 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5711 the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7A7A94A093244C54B93D2534E56C7126" style="USC">
<section id="id4EEC8C854EAB4D34A203EFB7F2CFD457"><enum>5712.</enum><header>Limitations
and reports on travel expenses to conferences</header>
<subsection id="id625A024FB7DB4584A6BFC1F8A70682A8"><enum>(a)</enum><text>In this section,
the term—</text>
<paragraph id="id87C370877CF240A68B57E041F3891DFC"><enum>(1)</enum><text><term>conference</term>
means a meeting that—</text>
<subparagraph id="idFC8FAE2C10DC4605B51B49A267F0C011"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is held for
consultation, education, or discussion;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFCA40CE772CB4F7DB99EBA29577D8E8A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is not held
entirely at an agency facility;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDC6E5A7C227645E2B8C523B24E012500"><enum>(C)</enum><text>involves costs
associated with travel and lodging for some participants; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF0FF3D52E60B4471BB52955AF5019239"><enum>(D)</enum><text>is sponsored by 1
or more agencies, 1 or more organizations that are not agencies, or a
combination of such agencies or organizations; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id96C584016EF348E4B9791D8F24464FE1"><enum>(2)</enum><text><term>international
conference</term> means a conference attended by representatives of —</text>
<subparagraph id="idA89C5D64A8CE4B6C9F6532DE25C9AF24"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the United States
Government; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3D23B2FF1EE94C88A7500DD47F49D4E3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any foreign
government, international organization, or foreign nongovernmental
organization.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB7D30BF93E9A49ABB5339A911236A42E"><enum>(b)</enum><text>No agency may pay
the travel expenses for more than 50 employees of that agency who are stationed
in the United States, for any international conference occurring outside the
United States, unless the Secretary of State determines that attendance for
such employees is in the national interest.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id4AE039F5185848B884D98F87AC5145FE"><enum>(c)</enum><text>At the beginning
of each quarter of each fiscal year, each agency shall post on the public
Internet website of that agency a report on each conference for which the
agency paid travel expenses during the preceding 3 months that includes—</text>
<paragraph id="id7341CF0F4FEA4E14B031B28E6172FF30"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the itemized
expenses paid by the agency, including travel expenses, the cost of scouting
for and selecting the location of the conference, and any agency expenditures
to otherwise support the conference;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id21A1C525A537417896BFDE4A63198B21"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the primary
sponsor of the conference;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id26123C60BA4D4507A5EC3AC0E529060E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the location of
the conference;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3F4525B511D24137A65013F255D1F5C7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in the case of a
conference for which that agency was the primary sponsor, a statement
that—</text>
<subparagraph id="idE85EDB75028A4AD987B3EB955D56A981"><enum>(A)</enum><text>justifies the
location selected;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2F50F5A1BA39404CAAD1CF22E6CA495C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>demonstrates the
cost efficiency of the location; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf25d7d8a99c547c2abbdf5ad4e749f6d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provides a cost
benefit analysis of holding a conference rather than conducting a
teleconference;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7089B1612A9045EDBC2B0134FCD5B1CE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the date of the
conference;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC79694CB1F19439DA547FC89588A2FAD"><enum>(6)</enum><text>a brief
explanation how the conference advanced the mission of the agency;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7F0CB99AED2445E79F328C79F8B9401F"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the title of any
Federal employee or any individual who is not a Federal employee whose travel
expenses or other conference expenses were paid by the agency; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFE7D9CB216CD4D3588F0BD8A1A5DBD79"><enum>(8)</enum><text>the total number
of individuals whose travel expenses or other conference expenses were paid by
the agency.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCBEB1B7EDD99495E8A2837D85F8AFE8A"><enum>(d)</enum><text>Each report
posted on the public Internet website under subsection (c) shall—</text>
<paragraph id="idDEE4D970D45A472CAE3AE45AEC1EDB60"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be in a
searchable electronic format; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB70C23605FEC4EF98BED34A85BA5A56F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>remain on that
website for at least 5 years after the date of
posting.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3FDE4B4665FE479C82B063470736DCE9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 57 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 5711 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6B2D89069AD146F5890F796B33C8789D" style="OLC">
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">5712. Limitations and reports
on travel expenses to
conferences.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idAE497AACA7BD4D59B65BEA39DD701A81"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitations on
annual travel expenses</header>
<paragraph id="idE8BEB841BE254471AE1F964E88992015"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>In the case of each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016, an
agency (as defined under section 5701(1) of title 5, United States Code) may
not make, or obligate to make, expenditures for travel expenses, in an
aggregate amount greater than 80 percent of the aggregate amount of such
expenses for fiscal year 2010.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6FE9F531D2BC4C94BBA8F01FD1986B66"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Identification
of travel expenses</header><text>Not later than September 1, 2012 and after
consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the Director of the
Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget shall establish guidelines for the determination of
what expenses constitute travel expenses for purposes of this subsection. The
guidelines shall identify specific expenses, and classes of expenses, that are
to be treated as travel expenses.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1655A4E7E44142FC8E52B02CA358810E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conference
transparency and limitations</header>
<paragraph id="id9C1FC27316714113A1C03C32246272F6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this subsection—</text>
<subparagraph id="id178225191509487FA4CD7BBF6D4E5831"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the term
<term>agency</term> has the meaning given under section 5701(1) of title 5,
United States Code; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAE180DB12E704421850C527B88089DF1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the term
<term>conference</term> has the meaning given under section 5712(a)(1) of that
title (as added by subsection (a)).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDdc90b52e80604aaeb85d4ff1e8f6f1b6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Public
availability of conference materials</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each agency shall post on the public
Internet website of that agency a detailed information on any presentation made
by any employee of that agency at a conference, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="id731043A4237E462CB61BCCDD5BB607A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any minutes relating to the
presentation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3FC4B7AD4F9A4DE696A53C62BD52D4AD"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any speech delivered;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF8D5FD76E76E4454A6F6D64BF6A2EC51"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any visual exhibit, including photographs
or slides;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC7C39B25B1104918B1CD5C95E68DD90D"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any video, digital, or audio recordings of
the conference; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0A92D8F9FA174035B5A5E426AC98A2CA"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">information regarding any financial support
or other assistance from a foundation or other non-Federal source used to pay
or defray the costs of the conference, which shall include a certification by
the head of the agency that there is no conflict of interest resulting from the
support received from each such source.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDb924e966f7514fffa24025a13bd07dbc"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitation on
amount expended on a conference</header>
<subparagraph id="idB32069F920E3420AB70D8ABE0DAE294D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No agency may expend
more than $500,000 to support a single conference.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8706f58a932f4024872ff94294bdf92f"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
preclude an agency from receiving financial support or other assistance from a
foundation or other non-Federal source to pay or defray the costs of a
conference the total cost of which exceeds $500,000.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID84356941952a4119a6505439ac813bca"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation on
the annual number of conferences an agency may support</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No agency may expend funds on more than a
single conference sponsored or organized by an organization during any fiscal
year, unless the agency is the primary sponsor and organizer of the
conference.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section>
Passed the Senate April 25, 2012.
Secretary