[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33142-33144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16004]


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POSTAL SERVICE


Changes in Domestic Mail Rates and Classifications

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of implementation of changes in domestic mail rates for 
Classroom Periodicals.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the changes in permanent rates for 
Classroom Periodicals to be implemented as a result of a decision of 
the Governors of the Postal Service in Docket No. MC96-2, and the 
resulting changes in temporary rates for Classroom Periodicals to be 
implemented concurrent with the movement to the next step of phasing.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Koetting, (202) 268-2992.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 4, 1996, pursuant to its authority 
under 39 U.S.C. 3621 et seq., the Postal Service filed with the Postal 
Rate Commission (PRC) a request for a recommended decision on a number 
of mail classification reform proposals regarding certain types of 
preferred rate mail (``Classification Reform II (Nonprofit Mail)'', PRC 
Docket No. MC96-2). The PRC published a notice in the Federal Register 
on April 11, 1996 (61 FR 16129-16146) describing the Postal Service's 
request and offering interested parties an opportunity to intervene.
    On July 19, 1996, the PRC issued its first Opinion and Recommended 
Decision in Docket No. MC96-2. The PRC's recommendations very closely 
tracked the Postal Service's proposals, with the exception that the 
Commission deferred action on the changes proposed regarding the 
Classroom subclass of Periodicals mail. On August 5, 1996, the 
Governors of the Postal Service, pursuant to their authority under 39 
U.S.C. 3625, approved the permanent

[[Page 33143]]

rate and classification changes recommended by the PRC at that time. 61 
FR 42464-42476 (August 15, 1996). Following subsequent proceedings, the 
PRC on May 14, 1997, issued its Further Opinion and Recommended 
Decision in Docket No. MC96-2, which pertained exclusively to Classroom 
Periodicals. On June 2, 1997, the Governors of the Postal Service 
approved the permanent rates for Classroom Periodicals recommended by 
the PRC. A copy of the attachment to that Decision, presenting the 
permanent rate changes approved by the Governors, is set forth below.
    Also on June 2, 1997, the Board of Governors of the Postal Service, 
pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625(f), determined to 
implement the permanent rate changes approved by the Governors 
effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-9). The 
Board also determined in Resolution No. 97-9 to exercise its authority 
under 39 U.S.C. 3642 to establish temporary phased rates for Classroom 
Periodicals for FY 1998 at Step 5 of the phasing schedule attached to 
the Resolution, a copy of which is also set forth below. The Step 5 
rates for Classroom Periodicals will be implemented on October 5, 1997.
    Under both the new permanent and temporary rate schedules for 
Classroom Periodicals, no discount will be available for ZIP+4 Letter 
mail. In this respect, Classroom will join the other preferred 
subclasses of Periodicals, for which the ZIP+4 letter discount category 
was eliminated in the earlier portion of Docket No. MC96-2. Over the 
years, only a minute portion of Classroom mail has qualified for the 
ZIP+4 Letter discount.
    In accordance with the Decision of the Governors and Resolution No. 
97-9, the Postal Service hereby gives notice that the rate changes set 
forth below will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.

Attachment to the Decision of the Governors, Docket No. MC96-2

Attachment to Resolution No. 97-9

                           Periodicals; Rate Schedule 423.4; Classroom Publication\10\                          
                                                 [Full Rates)\1\                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Postage rate unit                (cents) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Pound:                                                                                                      
    Nonadvertising position............................  Pound.......................................       14.2
    Advertising portion:\9\                                                                                     
        Delivery Office\2\.............................  Pound.......................................       16.9
            SCF\3\.....................................  Pound.......................................       19.0
            1&2........................................  Pound.......................................       21.4
            3..........................................  Pound.......................................       22.4
            4..........................................  Pound.......................................       25.1
            5..........................................  Pound.......................................       29.2
            6..........................................  Pound.......................................       33.6
            7..........................................  Pound.......................................       38.8
            8..........................................  Pound.......................................       43.2
Per Piece:                                                                                                      
    Less Nonadvertising Factor of\4\...................  ............................................        4.2
    Required Preparation\5\............................  Piece.......................................       21.9
    Presorted to 3-digit city/5-digit..................  Piece.......................................       17.4
    Presorted to Carrier Route.........................  Piece.......................................       10.7
Discounts:                                                                                                      
    Prepared to Delivery Office\2\.....................  Piece.......................................        1.2
    Prepared to SCF\3\.................................  Piece.......................................        0.6
    High Density\6\....................................  Piece.......................................        0.7
    Saturation\7\......................................  Piece.......................................        2.1
Automation Discounts for Automation Compatible Mail:                                                            
 \8\                                                                                                            
    From Required:                                                                                              
        Prebarcoded Letter Size........................  Piece.......................................        3.0
        Prebarcoded Flats..............................  Piece.......................................        2.4
From 3/5 Digit:                                                                                                 
    3-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size....................  Piece.......................................        2.3
    5-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size....................  Piece.......................................        2.3
    Prebarcoded Flats..................................  Piece.......................................       2.4 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule 423.4 Notes                                                                                            
\1\ Charges are computed by adding the appropriate per-piece charge to the sum of the nonadvertising portion and
  the advertising portion, as applicable.                                                                       
\2\ Applies to carrier route (including high density and saturation) mail delivered within the delivery area of 
  the originating post office.                                                                                  
\3\ Applies to mail delivered within the SCF area of the originating SCF office.                                
\4\ For postage calculation, multiply the proportion of nonadvertising content by this factor and subtract from 
  the applicable piece rate.                                                                                    
\5\ Mail presorted to 3-digit (other than 3-digit city), SCF, states, or mixed states.                          
\6\ Applicable to high density mail, deducted from carrier route presort rate.                                  
\7\ Applicable to saturation mail, deducted from carrier route presort rate.                                    
\8\ For automation compatible mail meeting applicable Postal Service regulations.                               
\9\ Not applicable to publications containing 10 percent or less advertising content.                           
\10\ If qualified, Classroom Mail may use Within-County rates for applicable portions of a mailing.             


[[Page 33144]]


                   Phasing Schedule; Periodicals; Rate Schedule 423.4; Classroom Publications                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Step 5     Step 6 
                                                              Postage rate unit              (cents)    (cents) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Pound:                                                                                                      
    Nonadvertising portion.......................  Pound..................................       14.3       14.2
    Advertising portion:                                                                                        
        Delivery Office..........................  Pound..................................       16.9       16.9
            SCF..................................  Pound..................................       19.0       19.0
            1&2..................................  Pound..................................       21.4       21.4
            3....................................  Pound..................................       22.4       22.4
            4....................................  Pound..................................       25.1       25.1
            5....................................  Pound..................................       29.2       29.2
            6....................................  Pound..................................       33.6       33.6
            7....................................  Pound..................................       38.8       38.8
            8....................................  Pound..................................       43.2       43.2
Per Piece:                                                                                                      
    Less Nonadvertising Factor of................  .......................................        4.2        4.2
    Required Preparation.........................  Piece..................................       21.1       21.9
    Presorted to 3-digit city/5-digit............  Piece..................................       16.0       17.4
    Presorted to Carrier Route...................  Piece..................................       11.5       10.7
    Discounts:                                                                                                  
        Prepared to Delivery Office..............  Piece..................................        0.6        1.2
        Prepared to SCF..........................  Piece..................................        0.4        0.6
        High Density.............................  Piece..................................        0.2        0.7
        Saturation...............................  Piece..................................        0.8        2.1
    Automation Discounts for Automation                                                                         
     Compatible Mail                                                                                            
        From Required:                                                                                          
            Prebarcoded Letter Size..............  Piece..................................        2.0        3.0
            Prebarcoded Flats....................  Piece..................................        2.7        2.4
        From 3/5 Digit:                                                                                         
            3-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size......  Piece..................................        1.2        2.3
            5-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size......  Piece..................................        2.0        2.3
            Prebarcoded Flats....................  Piece..................................        1.8        2.4
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[FR Doc. 97-16004 Filed 6-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P