s 31278 1111035600 false 1139461200 1139461200 662 235 109 300025

<br/>7/14/2005--Reported to Senate, amended. (There is 1 other summary)<br/>Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act - Title I: Definitions; Postal Services - (Sec. 101) Amends federal postal law to add definitions, including the terms postal service, competitive product, market-dominant product, and rates.<br/>(Sec. 102) Prohibits requiring the Postal Service to provide any special nonpostal or similar services.<br/>Title II: Modern Rate Regulation - (Sec. 201) Directs the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) (established by this Act) to establish a modern system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products (all first-class mail, parcels, and cards, periodicals, standard mail, single-piece parcel post, media mail, bound printed matter, library mail, special services, and single-piece international mail). Requires the system to, among other things: (1) include an annual limitation on the percentage changes in rates; and (2) require the Postal Service to provide public notice, and the PRC to provide an opportunity for review of, rate adjustments at least 45 days before implementation. Requires the PRC, as part of the regulations, to establish rules for workshare discounts (discounts provided to mailers for presorting, barcoding, etc.) to ensure that such discounts do not exceed the cost that the Postal Service avoids as a result of workshare activity (with exceptions). Requires the Postal Service to notify the PRC whenever it establishes or revises a workshare discount rate.<br/>(Sec. 202) Directs the Postal Service Board of Governors to establish rates and classes for products in the competitive category of mail (priority and expedited mail, bulk parcel post and international mail, and mailgrams).<br/>Directs the PRC to promulgate (and from time to time revise) regulations to: (1) prohibit the subsidization of competitive products by market-dominant products; (2) ensure that each competitive product covers its attributable costs; and (3) ensure that all competitive products collectively cover their share of Postal Service institutional costs.<br/>(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Postal Service, under specified terms and conditions, to conduct market tests of experimental products, requiring PRC notification of the nature and scope of each test. Prohibits a market test from exceeding 24 months, but allows the PRC to extend such period for up to 12 additional months.<br/>Authorizes the PRC, following specified criteria, to change the lists of market-dominant products and competitive products by adding or removing products, or transferring products between lists. Prohibits the transfer from the market-dominant category of products covered by the postal monopoly. Requires the Postal Service to notify the PRC whenever it requests to add a product or to transfer a product to a different category. Prohibits a product that involves the carriage of letters, printed matter, or packages from being offered by the Postal Service unless it has been assigned to the market-dominant or competitive category of mail.<br/>(Sec. 204) Requires the PRC to report annually to the President and Congress on PRC operations under this title.<br/>Requires annual reports from the Postal Service to the PRC which: (1) analyze Postal Service costs, revenues, and rates; and (2) provide product information and measures of service afforded by the Postal Service in connection with such product. Requires such report information to: (1) be audited by the Postal Service Inspector General before submittal; and (2) include information relating to workshare discounts. Requires the PRC, after receiving such reports, to make annual determinations of Postal Service compliance with regulatory requirements.<br/>(Sec. 205) Repeals current provisions concerning postal service and rate complaints procedures and an annual report on international services provided by the Postal Service. Establishes new complaint procedures which require the PRC to begin proceedings on, or dismiss, complaints within 90 days, and treating as dismissed complaints not acted on within such period. Authorizes the PRC to: (1) order the Postal Service to take appropriate action to achieve compliance; and (2) order fines in cases of deliberate noncompliance. Authorizes appellate review by persons adversely affected by any PRC final order or decision.<br/>Title III: Modern Service Standards - (Sec. 301) Directs the Postal Service to establish (and from time to time revise) a set of service standards for market-dominant products consistent with the Postal Service's universal service obligation in order to: (1) enhance the value of postal services to both senders and recipients; (2) preserve regular and effective access to postal services in all communities; (3) reasonably assure Postal Service customers delivery reliability, speed, and frequency; and (4) provide a system of objective external performance measurements for each market-dominant product. Requires the Postal Service to develop and submit to Congress a plan for meeting such standards. Directs the Postal Service to report annually to Congress on how postal decisions have impacted or will impact rationalization plans. Requires the plan to include: (1) plans to expand and market retail access to postal services through the use of vending machines, the Internet, etc.; and (2) plans for reemployment assistance and early retirement benefits for Postal Service employees displaced as a result of the automation of functions or the closing or consolidation of facilities. Requires a plan report from the Postal Service Inspector General before its submission to Congress.<br/>Title IV: Provisions Relating to Fair Competition - (Sec. 401) Establishes in the Treasury a revolving Postal Service Competitive Products Fund to be available to the Postal Service without fiscal year limitation for the payment of: (1) costs attributable to competitive products; and (2) all other costs incurred by the Postal Service, to the extent allocable to competitive products. Provides for deposits into, and administration of, the Fund. Requires reports from the Postal Service to the Secretary of the Treasury and the PRC with respect to Fund administration and uses.<br/>(Sec. 402) Requires the Postal Service to: (1) compute its assumed federal income tax (which would be the taxable income of a corporation) on competitive products income for each year; and (2) transfer from the above Fund to the Postal Service Fund the amount of the assumed tax.<br/>(Sec. 403) Prohibits the Postal Service from: (1) establishing anti-competitive rules or regulations; (2) compelling the disclosure, transfer, or licensing of intellectual property to any third party; or (3) obtaining information from a person that provides any product, and then offering any postal service that uses or is based in whole or in part on such information, without the person's consent.<br/>(Sec. 404) Subjects all Postal Service: (1) activities to federal laws prohibiting the conduct of business in a fraudulent manner; and (2) conduct with respect to competitive products to federal antitrust laws and unfair competition standards. Eliminates Postal Service sovereign immunity protection. Makes the Postal Service a &amp;quot;person,&amp;quot; for purposes of federal bankruptcy laws, to the extent that it engages in conduct related to the provision of competitive products. Requires the Postal Service to: (1) consider local zoning or land use regulations and building codes when constructing or altering buildings; and (2) represent itself in most legal proceedings (currently, representation is provided through the Department of Justice).<br/>(Sec. 405) Makes the Secretary of State responsible for foreign policy related to international postal services. Provides for the application of customs laws with respect to such services.<br/>Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Revises qualification requirements with respect to members of the Postal Service Board of Governors. Requires the President to consult with specified congressional leaders in selecting individuals for Board nomination. Reduces from nine to five years the term of appointment.<br/>(Sec. 502) Maintains the annual $3 billion cap on Postal Service borrowing for capital investments and operating expenses, while eliminating individual caps on each.<br/>(Sec. 503) Revises provisions concerning the private carriage of letters (letters carried outside of normal mail service by a private carrier) to allow such private carriage in three new circumstances: (1) when the amount paid to a private carrier is at least six times the rate then currently charged for the first ounce of a single-piece first-class letter; (2) when the letter weighs at least 12 and a half ounces; and (3) when private carriage is within the scope of current Postal Service regulations that permit private carriage by suspension of the operation of current law.<br/>(Sec. 505) Requires a party wishing to terminate a collective bargaining agreement involving Postal Service employees to serve written notice to any other party to such agreement at least 90 days in advance. Provides that if all such parties fail to reach a new agreement, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall within 10 days appoint a national mediator who is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators. Authorizes the use of arbitration boards in certain circumstances. States that nothing in this Act shall restrict, expand, or otherwise affect any rights, privileges, or benefits under collective bargaining agreements.<br/>(Sec. 506) Authorizes the Postal Service to establish one or more programs to provide bonuses and other rewards to Postal Service officers and employees. Requires bonus or reward information to be included in currently-required annual Postal Service comprehensive statements.<br/>Title VI: Enhanced Regulatory Commission - (Sec. 601) Replaces the Postal Rate Commission with the PRC. Sets forth the term (six years) and qualifications of the five Commissioners.<br/>Requires the PRC to designate a PRC officer to represent the public interest in all public proceedings of the PRC.<br/>(Sec. 602) Provides PRC authority to administer oaths, examine witnesses, receive evidence, issue subpoenas, and order the taking of depositions and responses to written interrogatories.<br/>(Sec. 603) Authorizes appropriations out of the Postal Service Fund for: (1) the PRC; and (2) the Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Repeals federal provisions which subject the annual PRC budget to disapproval by the Board of Governors.<br/>(Sec. 605) Mandates that the Postal Service: (1) be subject to a high degree of financial transparency to ensure fair treatment of customers of the Postal Service's market-dominant products and companies competing with the Postal Service's competitive products; and (2) file with the PRC certain audit and funding reports required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.<br/>Title VII: Evaluations - (Sec. 701) Requires a report from the PRC to the President and Congress, at least every five years, concerning: (1) the operation of amendments made by this Act; and (2) recommendations for improving the effectiveness or efficiency of U.S. postal laws.<br/>(Sec. 702) Requires a report from the PRC to the President and Congress on universal postal service and the postal monopoly in the United States, including the monopoly on the delivery of mail and access to mailboxes.<br/>(Sec. 703) Requires a report from the Federal Trade Commission to the President, Congress, and the PRC identifying federal and state laws that apply differently to the Postal Service with respect to the competitive category of mail and similar products provided by private companies.<br/>(Sec. 704) Requires a report from the Postal Service Inspector General to Congress and the Postal Service on improving workplace safety and reducing workplace-related injuries nationwide. Directs the Postal Service, after receiving such report, to submit to Congress its plans for achieving such goals.<br/>(Sec. 705) Directs the Government Accountability Office to study, and report to Congress, the Board of Governors, and the PRC on: (1) establishing rate incentives for mailers who utilize recycled paper; and (2) Postal Service accomplishments involving recycling activities.<br/>Title VIII: Postal Service Retirement and Health Benefits Funding - Postal Civil Service Retirement and Health Benefits Funding Amendments of 2004 - (Sec. 802) Transfers from the Postal Service to the Treasury Department responsibility for paying the retirement costs of former postal employees that are related to military service. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), because of such change, to determine necessary adjustments in Postal Service contributions to the Civil Service Retirement System. Makes OPM adjustment determinations subject to PRC review.<br/>(Sec. 803) Establishes in the Treasury a Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, to be administered by OPM, to cover the unfunded Postal Service liability for health care costs of current and future retirees. Requires the Postal Service, beginning in 2006, to compute the net present value of the future payments required and attributable to the service of Postal Service employees during the most recently ended fiscal year, along with an amortization schedule which provides for the liquidation of the net value amounts. Directs the Postal Service, for each year, to pay into the above Fund such net present value and the annual installment due under the amortization schedule. Makes OPM actuarial computations subject to PRC review.<br/>(Sec. 804) Repeals a provision of the Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act related to the disposition of savings accruing to the Postal Service.<br/>Title IX: Compensation for Work Injuries - (Sec. 901) Makes a Postal Service employee ineligible for compensation or continuation of pay for the first three days of temporary disability (thereby establishing a three-day waiting period). Allows the employee to use annual leave, sick leave, or leave without pay for such three-day period, but provides that if the disability exceeds 14 days or is followed by permanent disability, the employee may have such leave reinstated or receive pay for the time spent on leave without pay.<br/>(Sec. 902) Converts Postal Service employee total or partial disability compensation benefits to 50 percent of the monthly pay of the employee on the later of: (1) the date on which the injured employee reaches retirement age; or (2) one year after the employee begins receiving compensation.<br/>Title X: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes the Postal Service to employ guards for all buildings and areas owned, occupied, or under the charge or control of the Postal Service, and to give such guards, while so employed, any of the powers of federal special police.<br/>(Sec. 1002) Repeals federal postal law concerning the transportation of mail by surface carrier. Eliminates restrictions on the length of Postal Service mail transportation contracts.<br/>(Sec. 1003) Provides for reduced-rate treatment of some forms of mail, including: (1) mail given preferred status over regular-rate mailings; and (2) copies of a publication published within a county but distributed outside such county on postal carrier routes originating in the county of publication.<br/>(Sec. 1004) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Postal Service should: (1) ensure the fair and consistent treatment of suppliers and contractors in its current purchasing policies and any revision or replacement of such policies; and (2) implement commercial best practices in Postal Service purchasing policies to achieve greater efficiency and cost savings, as recommended in July 2003 by the President's Commission on the United States Postal Service, in a manner compatible with the fair and consistent treatment of suppliers and contractors.<br/>

introduced 31278 'act':5 'enhanc':4 'postal':1 'account':2 24623 short introduced 31278 '2004':11 'fund':8 'amend':9 'civil':2 'retir':4 'health':6 'postal':1 'servic':3 'benefit':7 24624 short reported to senate 31278 'act':5 'enhanc':4 'postal':1 'account':2 24625 short reported to senate 31278 '2004':11 'fund':8 'amend':9 'civil':2 'retir':4 'health':6 'postal':1 'servic':3 'benefit':7 24626 short introduced 31278 'law':7 'bill':2 'unit':10 'state':11 'postal':6 'reform':4 24627 official action 31278 1139461200 Thu Feb 09 00:00:00 -0600 2006 54397 Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 164. C001035 1952-12-07 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building http://collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCollins.EmailIssue 202-224-2693 Susan 'r':4 'sen':1 'susan':2,6,8 'collin':3,7,9 F 300025 Collins Susan_Collins M. Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME] N00000491 11485 Republican 202-224-2523 Catholic ME Susan Collins 2.49152542372881 http://collins.senate.gov SenatorSusanCollins A000069 1924-09-11 141 Hart Senate Office Building http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home 202-224-2126 Daniel 'd':4 'hi':5 'sen':1 'akaka':3,7,9 'daniel':2,6,8 M 300001 Akaka Don_Cazayoux Kahikina Sen. Daniel Akaka [D, HI] N00007653 9731 Democrat 202-224-6361 Congregationalist HI Daniel Akaka 2.42857142857143 http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm A000121 1952-03-08 George 'allen':2,4,6 'georg':1,3,5 M 300004 Allen George_Allen Felix George Allen N00009957 350 Republican Presbyterian George Allen B000468 1943-10-03 703 Hart Senate Office Building http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/ 202-224-2852 Jeff 'd':4 'nm':5 'sen':1 'jeff':2,6,8 'bingaman':3,7,9 M 300009 Bingaman Jeff_Bingaman Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM] N00006518 10086 Democrat 202-224-5521 Methodist NM Jeff Bingaman 4.4 http://bingaman.senate.gov B001126 1935-01-25 Conrad 'burn':2,4,6 'conrad':1,3,5 M 300015 Burns Conrad_Burns Conrad Burns N00004638 340 Republican Lutheran Conrad Burns C000174 1947-01-23 513 Hart Senate Office Building http://carper.senate.gov/contact/ 202-228-2190 Thomas 'd':4 'de':5 'sen':1 'thoma':2,6,8 'carper':3,7,9 M 300019 Carper Thomas_Carper Richard Sen. Thomas Carper [D, DE] N00012508 7023 Democrat 202-224-2441 Presbyterian DE Tom Thomas Carper 3.2 http://carper.senate.gov C001040 1953-03-26 Lincoln 'chafe':2,4,6 'lincoln':1,3,5 M 300020 Chafee Lincoln_Chafee D. Lincoln Chafee N00009954 287 Republican Episcopalian Lincoln Chafee C000567 1937-12-07 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building http://cochran.senate.gov/email.html 202-224-9450 Thad 'r':4 'ms':5 'sen':1 'thad':2,6,8 'cochran':3,7,9 M 300023 Cochran Thad_Cochran Sen. Thad Cochran [R, MS] N00003328 8850 Republican 202-224-5054 Baptist MS Thad Cochran 2.89473684210526 http://cochran.senate.gov C001057 1949-08-17 Norm 'norm':1,3,5 'coleman':2,4,6 M 300024 Coleman Norm_Coleman Norm Coleman N00013870 8367 Republican Jewish Norm Coleman 2.8 C001042 1947-01-01 Jon 'jon':1,3,5 'corzin':2,4,6 M 300028 Corzine Jon_Corzine Stevens Jon Corzine N00009945 292 Democrat Non-Denominational Jon Corzine D000432 1942-05-14 322 Hart Senate Office Building http://dorgan.senate.gov/contact/contact_form.cfm 202-224-1193 Byron 'd':4 'nd':5 'sen':1 'byron':2,6,8 'dorgan':3,7,9 M 300037 Dorgan Byron_Dorgan L. Sen. Byron Dorgan [D, ND] N00004615 7968 Democrat 202-224-2551 Lutheran ND Byron Dorgan 5.0 http://dorgan.senate.gov senatordorgan D000563 1944-11-21 309 Hart Senate Office Building http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm 202-228-0400 Richard 'd':4 'il':5 'sen':1 'durbin':3,7,9 'richard':2,6,8 M 300038 Durbin Richard_Durbin J. Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL] N00004981 16444 Democrat 202-224-2152 Roman Catholic IL Dick Richard Durbin 3.92929292929293 http://durbin.senate.gov H001028 1946-10-04 Charles 'charl':1,3,6 'chuck':5 'hagel':2,4,7 M 300050 Hagel Chuck_Hagel T. Charles Hagel Chuck N00005301 6080 Republican Episcopalian Charles Hagel 3.66666666666667 K000105 1932-02-22 317 Russell Senate Office Building http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm 202-224-2417 Edward 'd':4 'ma':5 'sen':1 'ted':8 'edward':2,6,9 'kennedi':3,7,10 M 300059 Kennedy Edward_Kennedy M. Sen. Edward Kennedy [D, MA] Ted N00000308 19371 Democrat 202-224-4543 Catholic MA Ted Edward Kennedy 3.52777777777778 http://kennedy.senate.gov/ L000123 1924-01-23 324 Hart Senate Office Building http://lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/routing.cfm 202-228-4054 Frank 'd':4 'nj':5 'sen':1 'frank':2,6,8 'lautenberg':3,7,9 M 300064 Lautenberg Frank_Lautenberg R. Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D, NJ] N00000659 11402 Democrat 202-224-3224 Jewish NJ Frank Lautenberg 2.125 http://lautenberg.senate.gov/ franklautenberg L000174 1940-03-31 433 Russell Senate Office Building http://leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm 202-224-3479 Patrick 'd':4 'vt':5 'sen':1 'leahi':3,7,9 'patrick':2,6,8 M 300065 Leahy Patrick_Leahy J. Sen. Patrick Leahy [D, VT] N00009918 9909 Democrat 202-224-4242 Roman Catholic VT Patrick Leahy 4.13793103448276 http://leahy.senate.gov/ SenatorPatrickLeahy L000261 1934-06-28 269 Russell Senate Office Building http://levin.senate.gov/contact/ 202-224-1388 Carl 'd':4 'mi':5 'sen':1 'carl':2,6,8 'levin':3,7,9 M 300066 Levin Carl_Levin Sen. Carl Levin [D, MI] N00001691 25096 Democrat 202-224-6221 Jewish MI Carl Levin 2.13333333333333 http://levin.senate.gov/ L000304 1942-02-24 706 Hart Senate Office Building http://lieberman.senate.gov/contact/ 202-224-9750 Joseph 'ct':5 'sen':1 'joseph':2,6,8 'lieberman':3,7,9 M 300067 Lieberman Joseph_Lieberman I. Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I, CT] N00000616 12614 Independent 202-224-4041 Jewish CT Joseph Lieberman 3.13253012048193 http://lieberman.senate.gov/ M001111 1950-10-11 173 Russell Senate Office Building http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm 202-224-0238 Patty 'd':4 'wa':5 'sen':1 'patti':2,6,8 'murray':3,7,9 F 300076 Murray Patty_Murray Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA] N00007876 10831 Democrat 202-224-2621 Roman Catholic WA Patty Murray 4.26984126984127 http://murray.senate.gov/ N000180 1941-05-17 720 Hart Senate Office Building http://bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm 202-228-0012 Ben 'd':4 'ne':5 'ben':2,6,8 'sen':1 'nelson':3,7,9 M 300077 Nelson Ben_Nelson E. Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE] N00005329 11762 Democrat 202-224-6551 Methodist NE Ben Ben Nelson 2.62857142857143 http://bennelson.senate.gov/ SenBenNelson P000590 1963-01-10 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/ 202-228-0908 Mark 'd':4 'ar':5 'sen':1 'mark':2,6,8 'pryor':3,7,9 M 300080 Pryor Mark_Pryor Sen. Mark Pryor [D, AR] N00013823 8774 Democrat 202-224-2353 Unknown AR Mark Pryor 2.89655172413793 http://pryor.senate.gov SenatorPryor R000122 1949-11-12 728 Hart Senate Office Building http://reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm 202-224-4680 John 'd':4 'ri':5 'sen':1 'jack':8 'john':2,6,9 'reed':3,7,10 M 300081 Reed Jack_Reed F. Sen. John Reed [D, RI] Jack N00000362 8754 Democrat 202-224-4642 Roman Catholic RI Jack John Reed 2.875 http://reed.senate.gov/ S000148 1950-11-23 313 Hart Senate Office Building http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm 202-228-3027 Charles 'd':4 'ny':5 'sen':1 'charl':2,6,8 'schumer':3,7,9 M 300087 Schumer Charles_Schumer E. Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY] N00001093 20259 Democrat 202-224-6542 Jewish NY Chuck Charles Schumer 2.24468085106383 http://schumer.senate.gov/ senatorschumer S000663 1947-02-21 154 Russell Senate Office Building http://snowe.senate.gov/webform.htm 202-224-1946 Olympia 'r':4 'sen':1 'snow':3,7,9 'olympia':2,6,8 F 300091 Snowe Olympia_Snowe J. Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME] N00000480 15339 Republican 202-224-5344 Greek Orthodox ME Olympia Snowe 2.68518518518519 http://snowe.senate.gov/ S000888 1923-11-18 Ted 'ted':1,3,5 'steven':2,4,6 M 300094 Stevens Ted_Stevens F. Ted Stevens N00007997 7051 Republican Episcopalian Ted Stevens 0.818181818181818 V000126 1936-07-15 524 Hart Senate Office Building http://voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm 202-228-1382 George 'r':4 'oh':5 'sen':1 'georg':2,6,8 'voinovich':3,7,9 M 300098 Voinovich George_Voinovich V. Sen. George Voinovich [R, OH] N00003583 12143 Republican 202-224-3353 Roman Catholic OH George Voinovich 2.91666666666667 http://voinovich.senate.gov/ W000154 1927-02-18 John 'john':1,3,5 'warner':2,4,6 M 300099 Warner John_Warner W. John Warner N00002061 6190 Republican Episcopalian John Warner 2.71428571428571 action 31278 1139461200 Thu Feb 09 00:00:00 -0600 2006 54397 Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 164. action 31278 1121313600 Thu Jul 14 00:00:00 -0500 2005 54395 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. calendar 31278 1121313600 Thu Jul 14 00:00:00 -0500 2005 54396 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 164. action 31278 1119412800 Wed Jun 22 00:00:00 -0500 2005 54394 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. introduced 31278 1111035600 Thu Mar 17 00:00:00 -0600 2005 54392 action 31278 1111035600 Thu Mar 17 00:00:00 -0600 2005 54393 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.