,,ii  #aad? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #agdb  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,july #i1 #bjae ,ms4   
,heitkamp 7= h]self1 ,mr4 ,te/]1 ,mrs4  
,mc,caskill1 & ,mr4 ,pet]s7 introduc$ ! 
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security &  
,gov]nm5tal ,affairs  ,a ,,bill  ,to    
improve ! provision ( po/al s]vices to  
rural areas ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4  #a4     
,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort 
title  ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,rural 
,po/al ,act ( #bjae4  7b7 ,table (      
cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is
 z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table 
( cont5ts4 ,sec4 #b4 ,def9itions4 ,sec4 
#c4 ,ma9t5ance ( deliv]y s]vice /&>ds4  
,sec4 #d4 ,pres]vation ( #f-;day        
deliv]y4 ,sec4 #e4 ,protection ( rural  
po/ (fices4 ,sec4 #f4 ,protection (     
work=ce rights4 ,sec4 #g4 ,alt]native   
,means ( ,transportation contracts4     
,sec4 #h4 ,rural ,po/al ,s]vice         
,advisory ,commission4 ,sec4 #i4        
,equipp+ deliv]y vehicles = rural areas4

 ,sec4 #aj4 ,wi-,fi 9 rural po/ (fices4 
,sec4 #aa4 ,protection ( door & curbside
 deliv]y4  #b4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act1 
! foll[+ def9itions %all apply3  7#a7   
,commission ,! t]m ,commission means !  
,po/al ,regulatory ,commission4  7#b7   
,po/al ,s]vice ,! t]m ,po/al ,s]vice    
means ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,po/al ,s]vice4   
#c4 ,ma9t5ance ( deliv]y s]vice /&>ds   
7a7 ,pres]v+ mail process+ capacity2    
review ( discont9uances1 clos+s1 &      
consolidations  7#a7 ,moratorium on     
clos+ or consolidat+ po/al facilities   
,dur+ ! #b-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( 
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,po/al ,s]vice   
may n close or consolidate any po/al    
facility 7z def9$ 9 section #djd7;f7 (  
title #ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$  
by ?is subsection74  7#b7 ,proc$ures =  
clos+ or consolidation ( po/al          
facilities ,section #djd ( title #ci1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7f7 ,clos+ or         
consolidation ( c]ta9 po/al facilities  
7#a7 ,def9ition ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m

 po/al facility means a process+ &      
di/ribution c5t]1 process+ & di/ribution
 facility1 network di/ribution c5t]1 or 
o!r facility t is op]at$ by ! ,po/al    
,s]vice1 ! prim>y function ( :i* is to  
sort & process mail4  7#b7 ,area mail   
process+ /udies  7,a7 ,applicability ,9 
?is p>agraph-- 7i7 ! t]m area mail      
process+ /udy means an area mail        
process+ feasibility /udy describ$ 9    
section #b-a ( ,h&book ,,po-#djh ( !    
,po/al ,s]vice1 entitl$ ,area ,mail     
,process+ ,guidel9es1 z 9 effect on     
,octob] #a1 #bjac2  7ii7 ! t]m clos+1 ) 
respect to a cov]$ po/al facility1 means
 ! transf] ( all incom+ & outgo+ mail   
sortation & process+ op]ations ( ! cov]$
 po/al facility to a diff]5t cov]$ po/al
 facility2  7iii7 ! t]m consolidate1 )  
respect to a cov]$ po/al facility1 means
 ! transf] ( ei!r all incom+ or all     
outgo+ mail sortation & process+        
op]ations ( ! cov]$ po/al facility to a 
diff]5t cov]$ po/al facility2 &  7iv7 ! 
t]m cov]$ po/al facility means a po/al  

facility1 ! prim>y function ( :i* is to 
sort & process fir/-class mail orig9at+ 
or designat+ )9 a def9$ geographic area4
  7,b7 ,new area mail process+ /udies   
,be=e mak+ a det]m9ation "u subsection  
7a77#c7 z to ! necessity = ! clos+ or   
consolidation ( a cov]$ po/al facility1 
! ,po/al ,s]vice %all--  7i7 conduct an 
area mail process+ /udy relat+ to !     
cov]$ po/al facility t includes         
consid]ation ( a plan to r$uce !        
capacity ( ! cov]$ po/al facility )\t   
clos+ ! cov]$ po/al facility2 &  7ii7 ^u
 complet+ ! /udy "u clause 7i7-- 7,i7   
publi% ! results ( ! /udy on ! website (
 ! ,po/al ,s]vice2 &  7,,ii7 publi% a   
notice t ! /udy is complete & ! results 
( ! /udy are available to ! public1     
includ+ on ! website ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice4
  7,c7 ,complet$ or ongo+ area mail     
process+ /udies  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ! case 
( a cov]$ po/al facility describ$ 9     
clause 7ii71 ! ,po/al ,s]vice %all--    
7,i7 consid] a plan to r$uce ! capacity 
( ! cov]$ po/al facility )\t clos+ !    

cov]$ po/al facility2 &  7,,ii7 publi% !
 results ( ! consid]ation "u subclause  
7,i7 ) or z an am5dm5t to ! area mail   
process+ /udy relat+ to ! cov]$ po/al   
facility4  7ii7 ,po/al facilities ,a    
cov]$ po/al facility describ$ 9 ?is     
clause is a cov]$ po/al facility-- 7,i7 
= :i*1 z ( ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is      
subsection1 an area mail process+ /udy--
  7aa7 has be5 complet$ b does n include
 a plan to r$uce ! capacity ( ! cov]$   
po/al facility )\t clos+ ! cov]$ po/al  
facility2 or  7bb7 is 9 progress2 &     
7,,ii7 :i*1 z ( ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is 
subsection1 has n be5 clos$ or          
consolidat$4  7#c7 ,notice1 public      
comm5t1 & public he>+ ,if ! ,po/al      
,s]vice makes a det]m9ation "u          
subsection 7a77#c7 to close or          
consolidate a po/al facility1 ! ,po/al  
,s]vice %all--  7,a7 provide notice ( ! 
det]m9ation to-- 7i7 ,congress2 &  7ii7 
! ,po/al ,regulatory ,commission2  7,b7 
provide adequate public notice ( !      
int5tion ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice to close or 

consolidate ! po/al facility2  7,c7     
ensure t int]e/$ p]sons h an opportunity
 to submit public comm5ts dur+ a        
#de-;day p]iod aft] ! ,po/al ,s]vice    
provides ! notice ( int5tion "u         
subp>agraph 7,b72  7,d7 be=e ! #de-;day 
p]iod describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c71      
provide public notice ( ! opportunity "u
 subp>agraph 7,c7 to submit public      
comm5ts dur+ t p]iod by--  7i7          
publication on ! website ( ! ,po/al     
,s]vice2  7ii7 po/+ at ! affect$ po/al  
facility2 &  7iii7 publiciz+ ! date &   
location ( ! public community meet+ "u  
subp>agraph 7,e72 &  7,e7 dur+ !        
#de-;day p]iod describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,c71 conduct a public meet+ t provides 
an opportunity = comm5ts to be submitt$ 
v]bally or 9 writ+4  7#d7 ,fur!r        
consid]ations ,! ,po/al ,s]vice1 9 mak+ 
a det]m9ation "u subsection 7a77#c7 to  
close or consolidate a po/al facility1  
%all consid]--  7,a7 ! views pres5t$ by 
int]e/$ p]sons "u p>agraph 7#c72  7,b7 !
 effect ( ! clos+ or consolidation on ! 

affect$ community1 includ+ ! impact !   
clos+ or consolidation may h on a ,/ate1
 region1 or locality2  7,c7 ! effect ( !
 clos+ or consolidation on ! travel     
times & di/ances = affect$ cu/om]s to   
access s]vices "u ! propos$ clos+ or    
consolidation2  7,d7 ! effect ( ! clos+ 
or consolidation on deliv]y times = all 
classes ( mail & packages2  7,e7 any    
*>act]i/ics ( c]ta9 geographical areas1 
su* z remot5ess1 broadb& int]net        
availability ) a l[] rates ( access ?an 
! av]age rate ( access 9 o!r            
geographical areas ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & 
wea!r-relat$ ob/acles1 t may result 9 ! 
clos+ or consolidation hav+ a unique    
effect2  7,f7 ! effect ( ! clos+ or     
consolidation on small bus9esses 9 !    
area1 includ+ %ipp+ & communications )  
cu/om]s & suppli]s & ! correspond+      
impact on rev5ues1 op]ations1 & gr[?2   
7,g7 ! ext5t to :i* significant *anges 9
 deliv]y s]vice result+ f ! closure or  
consolidation ( ! po/al facility w\ld   
affect ! ability ( individuals &        

bus9esses 9 ! region s]v$ by ! po/al    
facility to p>ticipate 9 ! national     
economy2  7,h7 ! ability ( ! ,po/al     
,s]vice to ma9ta9 a safe work+          
environm5t at ea* po/al facility t1 z a 
result ( ! clos+ or consolidation1 w\ld 
process ! mail t _h be5 process$ by !   
clos$ or consolidat$ po/al facility1    
includ+ by exam9+--  7i7 ! capacity (   
ea* affect$ po/al facility to process a 
great] volume ( mail2  7ii7 ! ability ( 
! work=ce at ea* affect$ po/al facility 
to h&le a l>g] workload2 &  7iii7 :e!r !
 ,po/al ,s]vice w\ld ne$ to hire        
additional employees at affect$ po/al   
facilities to process ! increas$ volume 
( mail2  7,i7 ! ext5t to :i* ! ,po/al   
,s]vice c take action to mitigate       
significant negative impacts id5tifi$   
?r\gh ! consid]ations "u ?is p>agraph2 &
  7,j7 any o!r factor ! ,po/al ,s]vice  
det]m9es is necess>y4  7#e7 ,notice (   
f9al det]m9ation2 ju/ification /atem5t  
,if ! ,po/al ,s]vice det]m9es to close  
or consolidate a po/al facility1 !      

,po/al ,s]vice %all po/ on ! website ( !
 ,po/al ,s]vice--  7,a7 notice ( ! f9al 
det]m9ation to close or consolidate !   
po/al facility2 &  7,b7 a clos+ or      
consolidation ju/ification /atem5t t    
includes--  7i7 a response to ! public  
comm5ts receiv$ ) respect to !          
consid]ations describ$ "u p>agraph 7#d72
  7ii7 a description ( ! consid]ations  
made by ! ,po/al ,s]vice "u p>agraph    
7#d72 &  7iii7 ! actions t ! ,po/al     
,s]vice w take to mitigate any          
significant negative effects id5tifi$ "u
 p>agraph 7#d74  7#f7 ,clos+ or         
consolidation ( po/al facilities  7,a7  
,9 g5]al ,n e>li] ?an #ae days aft] !   
date on :i* ! ,po/al ,s]vice po/s notice
 ( a f9al det]m9ation & a ju/ification  
/atem5t "u p>agraph 7#e7 ) respect to a 
po/al facility1 ! ,po/al ,s]vice may    
close or consolidate ! po/al facility4  
7,b7 ,alt]native intake ( mail ,if !    
,po/al ,s]vice closes or consolidates a 
po/al facility "u subp>agraph 7,a71 !   
,po/al ,s]vice %all make reasonable     

ef=ts to ensure cont9u$ mail receipt f  
cu/om]s ( ! clos$ or consolidat$ po/al  
facility at ! same location or at ano!r 
appropriate location 9 close geographic 
proximity to ! clos$ or consolidat$     
po/al facility4  7#g7 ,protection (     
c]ta9 in=mation ,no?+ 9 ?is subsection  
%all be con/ru$ to require ! ,po/al     
,s]vice to disclose any-- 7,a7          
propriet>y data2  7,b7 in=mation relat+ 
to ! security ( a po/al facility2 or    
7,c7 in=mation t is exempt f disclosure 
"u section #eeb ( title #e4  7#h7 ,po/al
 ,regulatory ,commission appeals  7,a7  
,"r to appeal ,a det]m9ation ( ! ,po/al 
,s]vice to close or consolidate any     
po/al facility may be appeal$ by any    
p]son s]v$ by ! po/al facility to !     
,po/al ,regulatory ,commission n lat]   
?an #cj days aft] ! date on :i* !       
det]m9ation is po/$ on ! ,po/al ,s]vice 
website "u p>agraph 7#e74  7,b7 ,review 
bas$ on record ,! ,commission %all      
review a det]m9ation appeal$ "u ?is     
p>agraph on ! basis ( ! record be=e !   

,po/al ,s]vice 9 ! mak+ ( ! det]m9ation4
  7,c7 ,deadl9e = ,commission           
det]m9ation ,! ,commission %all make a  
det]m9ation bas$ ^u a review conduct$ "u
 subp>agraph 7,b7 n lat] ?an #ij days   
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,commission        
receives ! appeal ( ! det]m9ation "u    
subp>agraph 7,a74  7,d7 ,bases = sett+  
aside ,po/al ,s]vice det]m9ations ,9    
mak+ a det]m9ation "u subp>agraph 7,c71 
! ,commission %all set aside any        
det]m9ation1 f9d+1 or conclusion ( !    
,po/al ,s]vice t ! ,commission          
det]m9es--  7i7 is arbitr>y1 caprici\s1 
an abuse ( discretion1 or o!rwise n 9   
accordance ) ! law2  7ii7 is )\t        
obs]vance ( ! proc$ures requir$ "u ?is  
subsection or any o!r applicable law2 or
  7iii7 is unsupport$ by sub/antial     
evid5ce on ! record4  7,e7 ,option to   
affirm or rem& ,! ,commission--  7i7 may
 affirm a det]m9ation ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice
 appeal$ "u ?is p>agraph or ord] t !    
entire matt] be return$ = fur!r         
consid]ation2 &  7ii7 may n modify !    

det]m9ation ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice4  7,f7   
,tempor>y susp5sion ,! ,commission may  
susp5d ! effectiv5ess ( a det]m9ation ( 
! ,po/al ,s]vice appeal$ "u ?is p>agraph
 until ! f9al disposition ( ! appeal4   
7,g7 ,applicability ( o!r laws ,!       
provisions ( section #eef1 section #eeg1
 & *apt] #g ( title #e %all n apply to  
any review c>ri$ out by ! ,commission "u
 ?is p>agraph4  7,h7 ,date ( receipt (  
appeal ,= purposes ( subp>agraph 7,a71  
any appeal receiv$ by ! ,commission     
%all-- 7i7 if s5t to ! ,commission ?r\gh
 ! mails1 be consid]$ to h be5 receiv$  
on ! date ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice po/m>k on !
 envelope or o!r cov] 9 :i* ! appeal is 
mail$2 or  7ii7 if o!rwise lawfully     
deliv]$ to ! ,commission1 be consid]$ to
 h be5 receiv$ on ! date det]m9$ bas$ on
 any appropriate docum5tation or o!r    
indicia 7z det]m9$ "u regulations ( !   
,commission74  4  7b7 ,ma9t5ance (      
deliv]y s]vice /&>ds  7#a7 ,re9/atem5t (
 ov]night s]vice /&>ds  7,a7 ,def9ition 
,9 ?is p>agraph1 ! t]m m>ket-dom9ant    

product means a product subject to      
sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #cf ( title #ci1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7,b7 ,/&>ds =     
m>ket-dom9ant products ,! ,po/al ,s]vice
 %all apply ! s]vice /&>ds =            
m>ket-dom9ant products "u "p #aba (     
title #ci1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 
t 7 9 effect on ,july #a1 #bjab4  7#b7  
,commission /udy & report  7,a7 ,/udy ,!
 ,commission %all conduct a /udy t      
assesses-- 7i7 h[ ! ,po/al ,s]vice      
measures deliv]y times = ! purpose (    
det]m9+ :e!r s]vice /&>ds h be5 met2 &  
7ii7 :e!r ! me?od us$ by ! ,po/al       
,s]vice to measure deliv]y times        
reflects ! total p]iod ( "t beg9n+ :5 a 
mail$ item is transf]r$ f a po/al cu/om]
 & end+ :5 ! mail$ item arrives at its  
f9al de/9ation4  7,b7 ,report  7i7 ,9   
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date (  
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & aft] conduct+ !  
he>+ "u clause 7ii71 ! ,commission %all 
submit to ! ,committee on ,homel&       
,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,ov]sight &    

,gov]nm5t ,re=m ( ! ,h\se (             
,repres5tatives a report on ! f9d+s ( ! 
/udy conduct$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 t     
includes recomm5dations z to :e!r !     
,po/al ,s]vice %\ld use additional or   
improv$ me?ods to--  7,i7 measure !     
actual deliv]y times exp]i5c$ by po/al  
cu/om]s2 &  7,,ii7 assess compliance ) !
 s]vice /&>ds promulgat$ "u section     
#cfia ( title #ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 
7ii7 ,he>+ ,be=e ! ,commission submits !
 report "u clause 7i71 ! ,commission    
%all-- 7,i7 conduct a he>+ on ! record  
"u sections #eef & #eeg ( title #e1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to provide ! ,po/al
 ,s]vice1 us]s ( ! mail1 & an (fic] ( ! 
,commission requir$ to repres5t !       
int]e/s ( ! g5]al public ! opportunity  
to pres5t views on ! propos$ report2 &  
7,,ii7 revise ! report z ! ,commission  
det]m9es appropriate to incorporate !   
views pres5t$ at ! he>+ conduct$ "u     
subclause 7,i74  7,c7 ,consultation ,9  
conduct+ ! /udy "u subp>agraph 7,a71 !  
,commission %all consult ) ! ,inspector 

,g5]al ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice4  #d4         
,pres]vation ( #f-;day deliv]y ,section 
#djc ( title #ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1  
is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7d7
 ,! ,po/al ,s]vice %all provide #f-;day 
deliv]y & rural deliv]y ( mail at n less
 ?an ! level requir$ "u ! second proviso
 "u ! head+ ,paym5t to ! ,po/al ,s]vice 
,fund "u ! head+ ,unit$ ,/ates ,po/al   
,s]vice "u title ,v ( division ,e ( !   
,consolidat$ & ,fur!r ,cont9u+          
,appropriations ,act1 #bjae 7,public    
,law #aac-bce2 #abh ,/at4 #bcgc7        
7commonly ref]r$ to z ! #aihc level74  4
  #e4 ,protection ( rural po/ (fices    
,section #djd7;d7 ( title #ci1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+  
7#f7 ,= purposes ( p>agraph 7#e7 &      
ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#h7 ,date ( receipt (
 appeals ,= purposes ( p>agraph 7#g7  2 
7#b7 by /rik+ 7#e7 ,a det]m9ation &     
ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#g7 ,appeals ,a      
det]m9ation  2  7#c7 by /rik+ 7d77#a7 ,!
 ,po/al ,s]vice & all t foll[s ?r\gh !  
end ( p>agraph 7#d7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  

7d7 ,discont9uance ( po/ (fices  7#a7   
,def9itions ,9 ?is subsection-- 7,a7 !  
t]m discont9uance has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m
 9 section #bda4c ( title #ci1 ,code (  
,f$]al ,regulations1 z 9 effect on      
,novemb] #a1 #bjac2  7,b7 ! t]m local   
gov]nm5t means-- 7i7 a c\nty1           
municipality1 city1 t[n1 t[n%ip1 local  
public au?ority1 special di/rict1       
intra/ate di/rict1 c\ncil ( gov]nm5t1 or
 regional or int]/ate gov]nm5t entity2  
7ii7 an ag5cy or in/rum5tality ( an     
entity describ$ 9 clause 7i72 or  7iii7 
a rural community1 an un9corporat$ t[n  
or village1 or an in/rum5tality ( a     
rural community or an un9corporat$ t[n  
or village2  7,c7 ! t]m po/ (fice means 
a po/ (fice1 po/ (fice bran*1 po/ (fice 
classifi$ /ation1 or o!r facility t is  
op]at$ by ! ,po/al ,s]vice1 ! prim>y    
function ( :i* is to provide retail     
po/al s]vices2 &  7,d7 ! t]m rural po/  
(fice means a po/ (fice t is-- 7i7 9 a  
rural area1 z def9$ by ! ,c5sus ,bureau2
 &  7ii7 )9 ! ,k or ,l co/ asc]ta9m5t   

gr\p+1 z classifi$ by ! ,po/al ,s]vice4 
7#b7 ,prelim9>y consid]ations ,! ,po/al 
,s]vice1 prior to mak+ a det]m9ation "u 
subsection 7a77#c7 ( ?is section z to ! 
necessity = ! discont9uance ( any po/   
(fice1 &1 ) respect to a det]m9ation to 
discont9ue a rural po/ (fice1 prior to  
mak+ ! det]m9ations requir$ "u p>agraph 
7#e71 %all--  7,a7 consid] :e!r-- 7i7 to
 discont9ue ! po/ (fice & comb9e x )    
ano!r po/ (fice locat$ )9 a reasonable  
di/ance2  7ii7 in/ead ( discont9u+ ! po/
 (fice-- 7,i7 to r$uce ! numb] ( h\rs a 
day t ! po/ (fice op]ates2 or  7,,ii7 to
 cont9ue op]at+ ! po/ (fice = ! same    
numb] ( h\rs a day2  7iii7 to procure a 
contract provid+ full1 or less ?an full1
 retail po/al s]vices 9 ! community s]v$
 by ! po/ (fice2 or  7iv7 to provide    
po/al s]vices to ! community s]v$ by !  
po/ (fice-- 7,i7 ?r\gh a lett] c>ri] or 
by ,alt]nate ,means ( ,transportation   
deliv]y contract2  7,,ii7 by colocat+   
po/al s]vices at a comm]cial or gov]nm5t
 entity2 or  7,,iii7 by implem5t+ an    

alt]native proposal made by a local     
gov]nm5t "u subp>agraph 7,b77iii72  7,b7
 provide-- 7i7 relevant in=mation on    
f9ancial co/s associat$ ) ! op]ations ( 
! po/ (fice to po/al cu/om]s & local    
gov]nm5ts s]v$ by ! po/ (fice2  7ii7    
po/al cu/om]s s]v$ by ! po/ (fice an    
opportunity to pres5t _! views1 :i* may 
be by nonb9d+ survey conduct$ by mail2 &
  7iii7 local gov]nm5ts s]v$ by ! po/   
(fice an opportunity to pres5t          
alt]native proposals = provid+ po/al    
s]vices to ! community2 &  7,c7 if !    
,po/al ,s]vice det]m9es to discont9ue ! 
po/ (fice1 provide adequate public      
notice ( its int5tion to discont9ue !   
po/ (fice at lea/ #fj days prior to !   
propos$ date ( ! discont9uance to p]sons
 & local gov]nm5ts s]v$ by ! po/ (fice4 
7#c7 ,consid]ations ,! ,po/al ,s]vice1 9
 mak+ a det]m9ation :e!r or n to        
discont9ue a po/ (fice-- 7,a7 %all      
consid]--  7i7 ! effect ( !             
discont9uance on ! community s]v$ by !  
po/ (fice2  7ii7 ! effect ( !           

discont9uance on bus9esses1 includ+     
small bus9esses1 9 ! area2  7iii7 !     
effect ( ! discont9uance on employees ( 
! ,po/al ,s]vice employ$ at ! po/ (fice2
  7iv7 :e!r ! discont9uance w\ld h a    
significant adv]se effect on regul>     
po/al s]vices to rural areas1           
communities1 & small t[ns :]e po/ (fices
 are n self-su/a9+2  7v7 ! ext5t to :i* 
! community s]v$ by ! po/ (fice lacks   
access to ,int]net1 broadb&1 or cellul> 
telephone s]vice2  7vi7 ! ext5t to :i*  
po/al cu/om]s s]v$ by ! po/ (fice w\ld  
cont9ue aft] ! discont9uance to receive 
sub/antially simil> access to ess5tial  
items1 su* z prescription drugs &       
"t-s5sitive communications2  7vii7 !    
proximity & accessibility ( o!r po/     
(fices2  7viii7 :e!r sub/antial economic
 sav+s to ! ,po/al ,s]vice w\ld result f
 ! discont9uance2 &  7ix7 any o!r       
factors t ! ,po/al ,s]vice det]m9es are 
necess>y2 &  7,b7 may n consid]         
compliance ) any provision ( !          
,occupational ,safety & ,heal? ,act (   

#aigj 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #fea et seq474     
7#d7 ,writt5 det]m9ation & f9d+s  7,a7  
,9 g5]al ,any det]m9ation ( ! ,po/al    
,s]vice to discont9ue a po/ (fice %all--
 7i7 be 9 writ+2  7ii7 include ! f9d+s (
 ! ,po/al ,s]vice ) respect to !        
consid]ations requir$ to be made "u     
p>agraph 7#c72 &  7iii7 ) respect to a  
det]m9ation to discont9ue a rural po/   
(fice1 include a summ>y ( ! det]m9ations
 requir$ "u p>agraph 7#e74  7,b7        
,availability ( f9d+s ,! ,po/al ,s]vice 
%all make available1 to p]sons s]v$ by a
 po/ (fice t ! ,po/al ,s]vice det]m9es  
to discont9ue1 any det]m9ation & f9d+s  
"u subp>agraph 7,a7 ) respect to t po/  
(fice4  7,c7 ,notice be=e discont9uance 
,! ,po/al ,s]vice may n take any action 
to discont9ue a po/ (fice until #fj days
 aft] ! date on :i* ! ,po/al ,s]vice    
makes available1 to p]sons s]v$ by ! po/
 (fice1 ! writt5 det]m9ation & f9d+s )  
respect to ! po/ (fice z requir$ "u     
subp>agraph 7,b74  7#e7 ,rural po/      
(fices  7,a7 ,moratorium on             

discont9uance ( rural po/ (fices ,!     
,po/al ,s]vice may n discont9ue a rural 
po/ (fice dur+ ! #a-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on 
! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,rural ,po/al ,act
 ( #bjae4  7,b7 ,requirem5ts =          
discont9uance ( rural po/ (fices ,!     
,po/al ,s]vice may n make a det]m9ation 
"u subsection 7a77#c7 to discont9ue a   
rural po/ (fice unless ! ,po/al         
,s]vice--  7i7 7,i7 det]m9es t po/al    
cu/om]s s]v$ by ! po/ (fice w\ld cont9ue
 aft] ! discont9uance to receive        
sub/antially simil> access to ess5tial  
items1 su* z prescription m$ications &  
"t-s5sitive communications1 t are s5t   
?r\gh ! mails2 or  7,,ii7 takes action  
to sub/antially ameliorate any project$ 
r$uction 9 access to ess5tial items     
describ$ 9 subclause 7,i72 &  7ii7      
det]m9es t-- 7,i7 !re is unlikely to be 
sub/antial economic loss to ! community 
s]v$ by ! po/ (fice z a result ( !      
discont9uance2  7,,ii7 ! area s]v$ by ! 
po/ (fice has adequate access to broadb&
 ,int]net s]vice1 z id5tifi$ on !       

,national ,broadb& ,map ( ! ,national   
,telecommunications & ,in=mation        
,adm9i/ration2 &  7,,iii7 !re is a road 
) ye>-r\nd access connect+ ! community  
to ano!r po/ (fice t is )9 #aj miles f !
 po/ (fice propos$ to be discont9u$4    
7,c7 ,/udy & ,report  7i7 ,/udy ,!      
,inspector ,g5]al %all conduct a /udy   
aft] ! discont9uance ( a rural po/ (fice
 "u ?is section1 :i* %all include--     
7,i7 ! actual co/ sav+s result+ f !     
discont9uance2 &  7,,ii7 a comp>ison    
betwe5 ! f9d+s describ$ 9 subclause 7,i7
 & ! co/ sav+s t ! ,po/al ,s]vice       
pr$ict$ w\ld result f ! discont9uance4  
7ii7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] ! 
date ( ! discont9uance ( a rural po/    
(fice "u ?is section1 ! ,inspector      
,g5]al %all submit a report on ! f9d+s (
 ! /udy conduct$ "u clause 7i7 ) respect
 to ! rural po/ (fice to--  7,i7 !      
,po/al ,regulatory ,commission2  7,,ii7 
! ,bo>d ( ,gov]nors2  7,,iii7 !         
,committee on ,homel& ,security &       
,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2  7,,iv7

 ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t  
,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2  7,v7
 ! ,memb] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives 9 
^: di/rict ! rural po/ (fice 0 locat$2 &
  7,,vi7 ! ,s5ators 9 ^: ,/ate ! rural  
po/ (fice 0 locat$4  7iii7 ,sunset ,?is 
subp>agraph is repeal$ effective #aj    
ye>s aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,rural  
,po/al ,act ( #bjae4  7#f7 ,r$uctions 9 
h\rs ( op]ation  7,a7 ,moratorium on    
r$uction ( h\rs ( op]ation ( rural po/  
(fices ,! ,po/al ,s]vice may n r$uce !  
h\rs ( op]ation ( a rural po/ (fice dur+
 ! #b-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date (      
enactm5t ( ! ,rural ,po/al ,act ( #bjae4
  7,b7 ,consid]ations ,! ,po/al ,s]vice1
 prior to mak+ a det]m9ation "u p>agraph
 7#b77;,a77ii77,i7 to r$uce ! numb] (   
h\rs p] day t a po/ (fice op]ates1 %all 
consid]--  7i7 ! impact ( ! propos$     
r$uction 9 h\rs on local bus9esses2     
7ii7 ! effect ( ! propos$ r$uction 9    
h\rs on ! community s]v$ by ! po/ (fice2
  7iii7 ! ability ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice to 
hire qualifi$ employees to op]ate ! po/ 

(fice dur+ ! r$uc$ h\rs2  7iv7 !        
proximity & accessibility ( o!r po/     
(fices )9 #ae miles ( ! po/ (fice1 & !  
h\rs ^? po/ (fices are op52  7v7 !      
impact ( ! propos$ r$uction 9 h\rs on ! 
eld]ly & o!r vuln]able populations2 &   
7vi7 ! impact ( alt]native s*$ules on ! 
community s]v$ by ! po/ (fice1 includ+  
consid]ation ( :i* s*$ules w\ld mo/     
effectively mitigate any negative       
impacts id5tifi$ "u clauses 7i7 ?r\gh   
7v74  7,c7 ,f9d+s ,if ! ,po/al ,s]vice  
det]m9es1 aft] consid]+ ! factors "u    
subp>agraph 7,b71 to r$uce ! numb] (    
h\rs p] day t a po/ (fice op]ates1 !    
,po/al ,s]vice %all make available to   
p]sons s]v$ by ! po/ (fice--  7i7 a     
summ>y ( ! f9d+s ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice "u  
subp>agraph 7,b72  7ii7 ! h\rs dur+ :i* 
! po/ (fice w be op52 &  7iii7 an       
explanation ( ! *ange 9 h\rs ref]r$ to 9
 clause 7ii74  7,d7 ,review p]iod aft]  
r$uction 9 h\rs  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,dur+ !   
#a-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date on :i* !  
,po/al ,s]vice implem5ts a r$uction 9   

h\rs = a po/ (fice "u p>agraph          
7#b77;,a77ii77,i71 ! community s]v$ by !
 po/ (fice may submit a compla9t to !   
,inspector ,g5]al if ! community f9ds t 
! r$uction 9 h\rs has significantly     
impact$ ! community 9 a negative mann]4 
7ii7 ,suffici5cy ( compla9t ,a compla9t 
submitt$ by a community "u clause 7i7   
%all be suffici5t if ! community        
demon/rates t--  7,i7 a majority ( !    
memb]s ( ! community oppose ! r$uction 9
 h\rs1 :i* may be demon/rat$ ) a sign$  
petition2 &  7,,ii7 ! f9d+s ( ! ,po/al  
,s]vice "u subp>agraph 7,b7 ^u :i* !    
,po/al ,s]vice bas$ ! det]m9ation to    
r$uce ! h\rs ( ! po/ (fice are no long] 
valid1 :i* ! community may demon/rate   
us+ evid5ce (--  7aa7 lobbies 9 dis>ray2
  7bb7 long wait times 9 l9e2  7cc7     
insuffici5t mail acceptance options2    
7dd7 unaccommodat+ po/ (fice box s]vice 
& w9d[ times1 includ+ any negative      
impact on regional bus9esses2  7ee7     
retail units clos+ at times o!r ?an !   
po/$ h\rs2  7ff7 inadequate /aff+2  7gg7

 runn+ out ( po/al supplies2  7hh7      
unpr(essional employees or an unfri5dly 
atmosph]e2 &  7ii7 any o!r factors t !  
community believes are relevant4  7iii7 
,inspector ,g5]al det]m9ation  7,i7 ,9  
g5]al ,if ! ,inspector ,g5]al det]m9es t
 a compla9t submitt$ "u clause 7i7 is   
suffici5t1 9 accordance ) clause 7ii71 n
 lat] ?an #f mon?s aft] ! date on :i* ! 
,inspector ,g5]al receives ! compla9t1 !
 ,inspector ,g5]al %all analyze !       
validity ( ! compla9t4  7,,ii7          
,submission to ,po/al ,s]vice ,if !     
,inspector ,g5]al1 9 analyz+ a compla9t 
"u subclause 7,i71 det]m9es t !         
community t submitt$ ! compla9t has be5 
disproportionately impact$ by ! r$uction
 9 h\rs1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al %all submit
 to ! ,po/al ,s]vice a report t         
includes--  7aa7 ! det]m9ation2 &  7bb7 
a recomm5dation on ! numb] ( additional 
h\rs ( op]ation p] day t w\ld be        
suffici5t = ! po/al cu/om]s s]v$ by !   
po/ (fice to h access to fair & reliable
 s]vice4  7iv7 ,implem5tation (         

recomm5dations ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !
 date on :i* ! ,po/al ,s]vice receives a
 report "u clause 7iii77,,ii7 relat+ to 
a po/ (fice1 ! ,po/al ,s]vice %all adju/
 ! h\rs ( op]ation ( ! po/ (fice 9      
accordance ) ! recomm5dation ( !        
,inspector ,g5]al 9 ! report4  2  7#d7 9
 p>agraph 7#g71 z s designat$-- 7,a7 by 
/rik+ close or consolidate & ins]t+     
discont9ue2  7,b7 by /rik+ "u p>agraph  
7#c7 & ins]t+ "u p>agraph 7#d72  7,c7 by
 mov+ subp>agraphs 7,a71 7,b71 & 7,c7 #b
 ems to ! "r2 &  7,d7 by mov+ ! flu%    
text foll[+ subp>agraph 7,c7 #b ems to !
 "r2  7#e7 9 p>agraph 7#h71 z s         
designat$1 by mov+ subp>agraphs 7,a7 &  
7,b7 #b ems to ! "r2 &  7#f7 by add+ at 
! end ! foll[+3  7#i7 ,m9imum retail    
/&>ds ,! ,po/al ,s]vice %all e/abli%    
m9imum /&>ds = retail po/al s]vices4  4 
#f4 ,protection ( work=ce rights  7a7   
,"r ( appeal to ,m]it ,sy/ems           
,protection ,bo>d ,section              
#ajje7;a77#d77;,a77ii77,i7 ( title #ci1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z 

foll[s3  7,i7 is an (fic] or employee ( 
! ,po/al ,s]vice :o--  7aa7 is n        
repres5t$ by a b>ga9+ repres5tative     
recogniz$ "u section #abjc2 &  7bb7 is 9
 a sup]visory1 pr(essional1 te*nical1   
cl]ical1 adm9i/rative1 or manag]ial     
position cov]$ by ! ,executive &        
,adm9i/rative ,s*$ule2 &  4  7b7        
,sup]visory & o!r manag]ial             
organizations ,section #ajjd ( title    
#ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--    
7#a7 9 subsection 7a71 by ins]t+ & fr+e 
b5efits aft] diff]5tials 9 rates ( pay2 
7#b7 9 subsection 7b71 9 ! second       
s5t5ce1 by ins]t+ z provid$ "u          
subsection 7d7 & any *anges 91 or       
t]m9ation (1 pay policies & s*$ules &   
fr+e b5efit programs = memb]s ( !       
sup]visors' organization z provid$ "u   
subsection 7e74 ,su* pay policies & fr+e
 b5efit programs %all reflect adequate  
diff]5tials 9 rates ( pay & fr+e b5efits
 z provid$ "u subsection 7a7 be=e !     
p]iod2 &  7#c7 9 subsection 7e77#a71 by 
ins]t+ 1 or t]m9ation (1 aft] any *anges

 94  7c7 ,*ief ,morale ,(fic]  7#a7 ,9  
g5]al ,*apt] #b ( title #ci1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+3  #bji4 ,*ief ,morale ,(fic]   
7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!re %all be 9 ! ,po/al 
,s]vice a ,*ief ,morale ,(fic] appo9t$  
by ! ,po/ma/] ,g5]al4  7b7              
,qualifications ,! ,*ief ,morale ,(fic] 
%all h-- 7#a7 recogniz$ & significant   
exp]i5ce 9 su* fields z human res\rces1 
lead]%ip tra9+1 & public adm9i/ration2  
7#b7 a docum5t$ record ( innovative     
?9k+2  7#c7 significant exp]i5ce work+ )
 employees & manag]s2 &  7#d7 exp]i5ce )
 revitaliz+ & improv+ ! morale (        
organizations1 corporations1 or         
communities t h exp]i5c$ significant    
f9ancial *all5ges or o!r *all5ges4  7c7 
,responsibilities ,! ,*ief ,morale      
,(fic] %all--  7#a7 ov]see ! employees (
 ! ,po/al ,s]vice1 includ+ manag]s1 :o  
"w 9 po/ (fices & po/al facilities 7z   
def9$ 9 section #djd7;f772 &  7#b7      
ov]see & develop national initiatives t 
address-- 7,a7 work+ conditions1        

includ+--  7i7 employee morale2  7ii7 ! 
physical /ra9 ( "w2  7iii7 h&l+ (       
ov]time2  7iv7 consi/5cy ( workday h\rs2
  7v7 flexibility 9 s*$ules2  7vi7 break
 s*$ules2  7vii7 adequate pay2  7viii7 !
 "t ( mail deliv]y2  7ix7 ! safety (    
mail deliv]y2  7x7 "w environm5t2  7xi7 
"w-life balance2  7xii7 lead]%ip &      
managem5t2 &  7xiii7 managem5t          
acc\ntability2  7,b7 /aff+1 includ+--   
7i7 suffici5t /aff+2  7ii7 hir+         
/rategies2  7iii7 wages2  7iv7 turnov]  
rate2 &  7v7 ! balance betwe5 tempor>y &
 c>e] employees2  7,c7 communication1   
includ+--  7i7 employee fe$back process2
  7ii7 communication betwe5 employees & 
managem5t2 &  7iii7 protections f       
retribution2 &  7,d7 tra9+1 includ+--   
7i7 suffici5t tra9+ = new employees2    
7ii7 ! /ructure ( ! tra9+ program2 &    
7iii7 address+ fru/rations ( new        
employees4  7d7 ,regional ,morale       
,(fic]s  7#a7 ,appo9tm5t ,! ,*ief       
,morale ,(fic] %all appo9t a ,regional  
,morale ,(fic] = ea* area1 z t t]m is   

us$ 9 section #bba4f ( title #ci1 ,code 
( ,f$]al ,regulations1 or any successor 
!reto4  7#b7 ,responsibilities ,ea*     
,regional ,morale ,(fic] %all-- 7,a7    
implem5t ! national initiatives ( !     
,*ief ,morale ,(fic] at a regional      
level2  7,b7 hold mon?ly morale         
r\ndtables ) employees ( ! ,po/al       
,s]vice at :i* ! employees c discuss    
conc]ns relat+ to work+ conditions1     
/aff+1 communication1 & tra9+2  7,c7    
conduct annual regional tra9+ sessions =
 employees2  7,d7 submit biannual       
fe$back reports to ! ,*ief ,morale      
,(fic]2 &  7,e7 p>ticipate 9 regul>     
conf]5ce calls ) o!r ,regional ,morale  
,(fic]s & ! ,*ief ,morale ,(fic] to     
provide fe$back on h[ initiatives are   
progress+4  4  7#b7 ,deadl9e = initial  
appo9tm5t ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date
 ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,po/ma/]      
,g5]al %all appo9t a ,*ief ,morale      
,(fic] "u section #bji ( title #ci1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by p>agraph 
7#a74  7#c7 ,te*nical & con=m+ am5dm5t  

,! table ( sections = *apt] #b ( title  
#ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #bji4 ,*ief    
,morale ,(fic]4  4  #g4 ,alt]native     
,means ( ,transportation contracts  7a7 
,re/riction on discont9uance ( ,alt]nate
 ,means ( ,transportation contracts     
,section #djd ( title #ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 z am5d$ by section #c1 is am5d$ 
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7g7         
,alt]native ,means ( ,transportation    
contracts  7#a7 ,def9ition ,9 ?is       
subsection1 ! t]m cov]$ r\te means a    
r\te on :i* fir/-class mail & p]iodicals
 are transport$ "u an ,alt]nate ,means (
 ,transportation contract4  7#b7        
,requirem5ts be=e *ang+ to o!r means (  
transportation ,! ,po/al ,s]vice1 prior 
to mak+ a det]m9ation "u subsection     
7a77#a7 to transport fir/-class mail or 
p]iodicals on a cov]$ r\te us+ a means  
o!r ?an "u an ,alt]nate ,means (        
,transportation contract1 %all consid]--
  7,a7 ! effect ( ! *ange on-- 7i7 ea*  
community s]v$ by ! cov]$ r\te2  7ii7   

bus9esses1 includ+ small bus9esses1 9 ! 
area s]v$ by ! cov]$ r\te2 &  7iii7     
employees ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice involv$ 9  
transportation on ! cov]$ r\te2  7,b7   
:e!r ! *ange is consi/5t ) ! policy ( ! 
,gov]nm5t1 z /at$ 9 section #aja7;b71 t 
! ,po/al ,s]vice %all provide a maximum 
degree ( effective & regul> po/al       
s]vices to rural areas1 communities1 &  
small t[ns :]e po/ (fices are n         
self-su/a9+2  7,c7 ! ext5t to :i* ea*   
community s]v$ by ! cov]$ r\te lacks    
access to ,int]net s]vice2  7,d7 ! ext5t
 to :i* po/al cu/om]s s]v$ by ! cov]$   
r\te w\ld cont9ue aft] ! *ange to       
receive sub/antially simil> access to   
ess5tial items & "t-s5sitive            
communications2  7,e7 :e!r sub/antial   
economic sav+s to ! ,po/al ,s]vice w\ld 
result f ! *ange2  7,f7 ! av]age daily  
volume ( mail transport$ on ! cov]$     
r\te2  7,g7 any *ange 9 ! volume ( mail 
transport$ on ! cov]$ r\te dur+ ! prec$+
 #ab mon?s2  7,h7 ! capacity ( available
 transportation s]vice provid]s to meet 

! volume ne$s ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice on !   
cov]$ r\te2  7,i7 ! ability ( ! ,po/al  
,s]vice to procure & access additional  
transportation capacity to meet ! volume
 ne$s ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice on ! cov]$     
r\te2  7,j7 ! impact ( ! *ange on po/al 
facilities 7z t t]m is def9$ 9          
subsection 7f77 t use ! cov]$ r\te2     
7,k7 ! ability ( po/al facilities       
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,j7 to cont9ue  
to provide s]vice t complies )          
applicable s]vice /&>ds aft] ! *ange2 & 
7,l7 any o!r factors t ! ,po/al ,s]vice 
det]m9es are necess>y4  7#c7            
,det]m9ations ,any det]m9ation ( !      
,po/al ,s]vice to transport fir/-class  
mail or p]iodicals on a cov]$ r\te us+ a
 means o!r ?an "u an ,alt]nate ,means ( 
,transportation contract %all--  7,a7 be
 9 writ+2  7,b7 include ! f9d+s ( !     
,po/al ,s]vice ) respect to !           
consid]ations requir$ to be made "u     
p>agraph 7#b72 &  7,c7 be made available
 by public notice to p]sons s]v$ by !   
cov]$ r\te4  7#d7 ,advance notice (     

det]m9ations ,! ,po/al ,s]vice %all take
 no action to transport fir/-class mail 
or p]iodicals on a cov]$ r\te us+ a     
means o!r ?an "u an ,alt]nate ,means (  
,transportation contract until #fj days 
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,po/al ,s]vice     
makes available to p]sons s]v$ by !     
cov]$ r\te a writt5 det]m9ation "u      
p>agraph 7#c74  4  7b7 ,report ,n lat]  
?an #b ye>s aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is
 ,act1 ! ,po/al ,s]vice %all submit to  
,congress a report on pot5tial co/ sav+s
 result+ f any decision made dur+ !     
#b-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act--  7#a7 to transport        
fir/-class mail or p]iodicals on a cov]$
 r\te 7z def9$ 9 section #djd7;g77#a7 ( 
title #ci1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$  
by ?is section7 us+ a means o!r ?an "u  
an ,alt]nate ,means ( ,transportation   
contract2 or  7#b7 to discont9ue a po/  
(fice4  #h4 ,rural ,po/al ,s]vice       
,advisory ,commission  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t  
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!re is e/abli%$ 9 !      
executive bran* a ,rural ,po/al ,s]vice 

,advisory ,commission 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is  
section z ! ,advisory ,commission74     
7#b7 ,indep5d5ce ,! ,advisory           
,commission %all n be subject to !      
sup]vision ( ! ,bo>d ( ,gov]nors ( !    
,po/al ,s]vice 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section 
z ! ,bo>d ( ,gov]nors71 ! ,po/ma/]      
,g5]al1 or any o!r (fic] or employee ( !
 ,po/al ,s]vice4  7b7 ,purpose ,!       
purpose ( ! ,advisory ,commission is    
to--  7#a7 provide /rategic guidance to 
! ,presid5t1 ,congress1 ! ,bo>d (       
,gov]nors1 & ! ,po/ma/] ,g5]al on       
enhanc+ & protect+ ! provision ( po/al  
s]vices to rural areas ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z rural po/al 
s]vices72 &  7#b7 fo/] innovative ?9k+  
to address ! *all5ges fac+ ! ,po/al     
,s]vice 9 enhanc+ & protect+ rural po/al
 s]vices4  7c7 ,memb]%ip  7#a7          
,composition ,! ,advisory ,commission   
%all be compos$ ( #g memb]s1 ( :om--    
7,a7 #c memb]s %all be appo9t$ by !     
,presid5t1 :o %all designate #a memb]   
appo9t$ "u ?is subp>agraph to s]ve z    

,*airp]son ( ! ,advisory ,commission2 & 
7,b7 #a memb] %all be appo9t$ by ea* (--
  7i7 ! majority lead] ( ! ,s5ate2  7ii7
 ! m9ority lead] ( ! ,s5ate2  7iii7 !   
,speak] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 &  
7iv7 ! m9ority lead] ( ! ,h\se (        
,repres5tatives4  7#b7 ,qualifications  
,memb]s ( ! ,advisory ,commission %all  
h--  7,a7 recogniz$ & significant       
exp]i5ce 9 su* fields z bus9ess1        
te*nology1 & public adm9i/ration2  7,b7 
a docum5t$ record ( innovative ?9k+2    
7,c7 famili>ity ) new & em]g+           
te*nologies2  7,d7 exp]i5ce ) rural     
areas ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 &  7,e7        
exp]i5ce ) revitaliz+ & improv+ ! morale
 ( organizations1 corporations1 or      
communities t h exp]i5c$ significant    
f9ancial *all5ges or o!r *all5ges4  7#c7
 ,incompatible (fices ,an individual :o 
is appo9t$ to ! ,advisory ,commission   
may n s]ve z an elect$ (ficial or an    
(fic] or employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t  
:ile s]v+ z a memb] ( ! ,advisory       
,commission1 except 9 ! capacity ( t    

individual z a memb] ( ! ,advisory      
,commission4  7#d7 ,deadl9e = appo9tm5t 
,ea* memb] ( ! ,advisory ,commission    
%all be appo9t$ n lat] ?an #fj days aft]
 ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7#e7    
,meet+s2 quorum2 vacancies  7,a7 ,meet+s
 ,! ,advisory ,commission %all meet at !
 call ( ! ,*airp]son or a majority ( !  
memb]s ( ! ,advisory ,commission4  7,b7 
,quorum ,f\r memb]s ( ! ,advisory       
,commission %all con/itute a quorum4    
7,c7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy 9 !        
,advisory ,commission %all n affect !   
p[]s ( ! ,advisory ,commission1 b %all  
be fill$ z soon z practicable 9 ! same  
mann] 9 :i* ! orig9al appo9tm5t 0 made4 
7d7 ,duties & p[]s  7#a7 ,duties ,!     
,advisory ,commission %all--  7,a7 /udy 
matt]s t ! ,advisory ,commission        
det]m9es are necess>y & appropriate to  
improve & protect rural po/al s]vices & 
develop a /rategic bluepr9t to improve &
 protect rural po/al s]vices1 includ+-- 
7i7 ! f9ancial1 op]ational1 & /ructural 
condition ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice2  7ii7     

alt]native /rategies & bus9ess models t 
! ,po/al ,s]vice c\ld adopt t w\ld      
improve & protect rural po/al s]vices2  
7iii7 opportunities = additional po/al &
 nonpo/al s]vices t ! ,po/al ,s]vice    
c\ld (f] t w\ld assi/ ! mission ( !     
,po/al ,s]vice 9 rural areas ( ! ,unit$ 
,/ates2  7iv7 ! comp>ative po/al        
practices ( o!r c\ntries 9 rural areas1 
includ+ innovative products & s]vices t 
po/al s]vices 9 o!r c\ntries h (f]$2    
7v7 ! gov]nance & organizational &      
managem5t /ructures ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice2 
7vi7 ef=ts by ! ,po/al ,s]vice to       
recruit & reta9 a work=ce 9 rural areas 
t is capable ( meet+ ! /rategic ne$s ( !
 ,po/al ,s]vice reg>d+ innovation1      
nationwide s]vice /&>ds1 & nationwide   
deliv]y s*$ules2  7vii7 ! morale ( !    
work=ce ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice1 includ+     
/rategies to improve ! morale ( !       
work=ce1 ) a focus on ! work=ce t s]ves 
rural areas2 &  7viii7 te*nology t c\ld 
enhance & protect rural po/al s]vices2 &
  7,b7 submit ! report requir$ "u       

subsection 7h74  7#b7 ,he>+s ,!         
,advisory ,commission may hold su*      
he>+s1 take su* te/imony1 & receive su* 
evid5ce z is necess>y to c>ry out ?is   
section4  7#c7 ,access to in=mation ,!  
,advisory ,commission may secure        
directly f ! ,po/al ,s]vice1 ! ,bo>d (  
,gov]nors1 ! ,po/al ,regulatory         
,commission1 & any o!r ,f$]al dep>tm5t  
or ag5cy su* in=mation z ! ,advisory    
,commission consid]s necess>y to c>ry   
out ?is section4 ,^u reque/ ( !         
,*airp]son ( ! ,advisory ,commission1 ! 
head ( ! dep>tm5t or ag5cy %all furni% !
 in=mation describ$ 9 ! prec$+ s5t5ce to
 ! ,advisory ,commission4  7e7          
,applicability ( laws ,! ,f$]al         
,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 
,app47 & section #eeb;a ( title #e1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7commonly kn[n z !  
,privacy ,act ( #aigd7 %all apply to !  
,advisory ,commission4  7f7 ,assi/ance f
 ,f$]al ag5cies  7#a7 ,po/al ,s]vice ,! 
,po/ma/] ,g5]al %all provide to !       
,advisory ,commission adm9i/rative      

support & o!r s]vices = ! p]=mance ( !  
functions ( ! ,advisory ,commission4    
7#b7 ,o!r dep>tm5ts & ag5cies ,an ag5cy 
( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may provide to !   
,advisory ,committee su* s]vices1 funds1
 facilities1 /aff1 & o!r support s]vices
 t ! ag5cy det]m9es to be advisable or  
is o!rwise au?oriz$ "u law4  7g7        
,p]sonnel matt]s  7#a7 ,advisory        
,commission memb]s  7,a7 ,comp5sation ( 
memb]s ,ea* memb] ( ! ,advisory         
,commission %all be comp5sat$ at a rate 
equal to ! daily equival5t ( ! annual   
rate ( basic pay prescrib$ = level ,,iv 
( ! ,executive ,s*$ule "u section #ecae 
( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 = ea*  
day dur+ :i* ! memb] is engag$ 9 !      
actual p]=mance ( ! duties ( ! ,advisory
 ,commission4  7,b7 ,travel exp5ses ,ea*
 memb] ( ! ,advisory ,commission %all be
 all[$ travel exp5ses1 includ+ p] diem 9
 lieu ( subsi/5ce1 at ! rate au?oriz$ = 
employees s]v+ int]mitt5tly 9 !         
,gov]nm5t s]vice "u section #egjc (     
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 :ile away

 f home or regul> place ( bus9ess 9 !   
p]=mance ( s]vices = ! ,advisory        
,commission4  7#b7 ,/aff  7,a7          
,appo9tm5t & comp5sation ,! ,*airp]son1 
9 accordance ) rules agre$ ^u by !      
,advisory ,commission1 %all appo9t & fix
 ! comp5sation ( an executive director &
 su* o!r p]sonnel z may be necess>y to  
enable ! ,advisory ,commission to c>ry  
out ! functions ( ! ,advisory           
,commission1 )\t reg>d to ! provisions (
 title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 gov]n+  
appo9tm5ts 9 ! competitive s]vice1 & )\t
 reg>d to ! provisions ( *apt] #ea &    
sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #ec ( su* title  
relat+ to classification ( positions &  
,g5]al ,s*$ule pay rates1 except t a    
rate ( pay fix$ "u ?is subp>agraph may n
 exce$ ! annual rate ( basic pay        
prescrib$ = level ,v ( ! ,executive     
,s*$ule "u section #ecaf ( title #e1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7,b7 ,detailees   
,any ,f$]al employee1 includ+ an        
employee ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice1 may be     
detail$ to ! ,advisory ,commission )\t  

reimbursem5t1 & su* detail %all be )\t  
int]ruption or loss ( ! civil s]vice    
rights1 /atus1 or privilege ( !         
employee4  7h7 ,/rategic bluepr9t =     
rural po/al s]vices  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n   
lat] ?an #i mon?s aft] ! date ( enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act1 ! ,advisory ,commission    
%all submit a report t conta9s a        
/rategic bluepr9t = rural po/al s]vices 
to--  7,a7 ! ,presid5t2  7,b7 !         
,committee on ,homel& ,security &       
,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2  7,c7 !
 ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t    
,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2  7,d7
 ! ,bo>d ( ,gov]nors2 &  7,e7 ! ,po/ma/]
 ,g5]al4  7#b7 ,cont5ts ,! /rategic     
bluepr9t conta9$ 9 ! report submitt$ "u 
p>agraph 7#a7 %all include--  7,a7 an   
assessm5t ( ! effectiv5ess ( ! bus9ess  
model ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice = protect+     
rural po/al s]vices z ( ! date on :i* ! 
report is submitt$2  7,b7 an assessm5t (
 pot5tial future bus9ess models = !     
,po/al ,s]vice & ! impact ( ^? bus9ess  
models on rural po/al s]vices1 includ+  

an evaluation ( ! impact (--  7i7       
r$uctions ( s]vice on rev5ue2 &  7ii7   
additional opportunities = gr[? &       
rev5ue2  7,c7 a /rategy = address+      
*all5ges & co/s 9 protect+ rural po/al  
s]vices2  7,d7 id5tification (          
opportunities = new & innovative        
products & s]vices t w\ld help protect &
 enhance rural po/al s]vices2  7,e7 an  
enum]ation ( /eps t ! ,po/al ,s]vice    
ne$s to take to ensure t1 #bj ye>s aft] 
! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,po/al  
,s]vice c cont9ue to (f] po/al s]vices 9
 rural areas2  7,f7 a /rategy = ensur+ t
 ! ,po/al ,s]vice has a suffici5t       
work=ce to comply ) s]vice /&>ds =1 &   
meet ! ne$s ( po/al cu/om]s 91 rural    
areas2 &  7,g7 recomm5dations = any     
legislative *anges necess>y to implem5t 
! /rategic bluepr9t describ$ 9 ?is      
p>agraph4  7i7 ,t]m9ation ( !           
,commission ,! ,advisory ,commission    
%all t]m9ate on ! e>li] (-- 7#a7 ! date 
t is #fj days aft] ! date on :i* !      
,advisory ,commission submits ! report  

on ! /rategic bluepr9t = rural po/al    
s]vices "u subsection 7h72 or  7#b7 !   
date t is #a ye> aft] ! date ( enactm5t 
( ?is ,act4  7j7 ,au?orization (        
appropriations ,!re are au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ out ( ! ,po/al ,s]vice ,fund
 a total ( n m ?an #c1jjj1jjj = fiscal  
ye>s #bjae & #bjaf4  #i4 ,equipp+       
deliv]y vehicles = rural areas  7a7     
,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! s5se (        
,congress t-- 7#a7 :ile x may be too    
late = ! ,po/al ,s]vice to consid] rural
 mail deliv]y z "p ( its ,next ,g5]ation
 ,deliv]y ,vehicles 7commonly kn[n z    
,,ngdv7 initiative1 ! ,po/al ,s]vice    
%\ld consid] options = a rural deliv]y  
truck prototype 9 ! future1 z rural     
lett] c>ri]s curr5tly mu/ use _! own    
vehicles due to ! unique t]ra9 *all5ges 
across ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 &  7#b7 ! ,po/al
 ,s]vice %\ld consid] ! feasibility (   
equipp+ deliv]y vehicles t c n only h&le
 ! *all5ges describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71 b 
c also h&le sev]e wea!r conditions4  7b7
 ,,gao /udy ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !   

date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !           
,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
%all--  7#a7 /udy ! feasibility ( !     
,po/al ,s]vice design+ mail deliv]y     
vehicles t are equipp$ = rural areas2 & 
7#b7 submit to ,congress a report on !  
f9d+s ( ! /udy conduct$ "u p>agraph     
7#a74  #aj4 ,wi-,fi 9 rural po/ (fices  
7a7 ,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! s5se (    
,congress t--  7#a7 because po/ (fices  
/ill s]ve z a c5tral po9t 9 _m rural    
communities :]e p congregate & connect )
 ! re/ ( ! _w1 ! ,po/al ,s]vice %\ld    
consid] provid+ wireless broadb&        
,int]net access s]vice at all rural po/ 
(fices z a me?od ( inc5tiviz+           
individuals to use _! community po/     
(fice z mu* z possible2 &  7#b7 because 
( ! *all5ges t implem5t+ wireless       
broadb& ,int]net access s]vice at all   
rural po/ (fices w\ld pose1 ! ,po/al    
,s]vice %\ld fir/ consid] implem5t+ a   
pilot program "u :i* ! ,po/al ,s]vice   
w\ld provide wireless broadb& ,int]net  
access s]vice at #d rural po/ (fices 9  

div]se areas ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates = a      
#b-ye> p]iod 9 ord] to det]m9e :e!r !   
addition ( su* s]vice 9 ^? po/ (fices   
has an impact on ! am\nt ( bus9ess or   
rev5ue g5]at$ by ea* po/ (fice4  7b7    
,,gao /udy ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !    
date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !           
,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
%all--  7#a7 /udy ! feasibility ( !     
,po/al ,s]vice provid+ wireless broadb& 
,int]net access s]vice at all rural po/ 
(fices2 &  7#b7 submit to ,congress a   
report on ! f9d+s ( ! /udy conduct$ "u  
p>agraph 7#a74  #aa4 ,protection ( door 
& curbside deliv]y  7a7 ,def9itions ,9  
?is section--  7#a7 ! t]m c5traliz$     
deliv]y means a prim>y mode ( mail      
deliv]y :]eby mail is deliv]$ to a gr\p 
or clu/] ( mail receptacles at a s+le   
location2  7#b7 ! t]m curbside deliv]y  
means a prim>y mode ( mail deliv]y :]eby
 mail is deliv]$ to a mail receptacle t 
is situat$ at ! edge ( a public sidewalk
 abutt+ a road or curb1 at a road1 or at
 a curb2  7#c7 ! t]m deliv]y po9t means 

a mailbox or o!r receptacle to :i* mail 
is deliv]$2  7#d7 ! t]m door deliv]y--  
7,a7 means a prim>y mode ( mail deliv]y 
:]eby mail is--  7i7 deliv]$ to a mail  
receptacle at or ne> a po/al cu/om]'s   
door2 or  7ii7 h&-deliv]$ to a po/al    
cu/om]2 &  7,b7 does n include curbside 
or c5traliz$ deliv]y2 &  7#e7 ! t]m     
prim>y mode ( mail deliv]y means !      
typical me?od by :i* ! ,po/al ,s]vice   
deliv]s mail to ! deliv]y po9t ( a po/al
 cu/om]4  7b7 ,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! 
s5se ( ,congress t ! ,po/al ,s]vice %\ld
 n conv]t exi/+ resid5tial or bus9ess   
addresses to c5traliz$ deliv]y f door   
deliv]y or curbside deliv]y4