,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #cff #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bfbi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #bb1 #bjah,mr4 ,carper 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,moran1 ,ms4 ,heitkamp1 and ,mrs4 ,mc,caskill7 introduced the following bill2 which was read the first time ,april #i1 #bjah,read the second time and placed on the calendar ,a ,,bill ,to improve postal operations1 service1 and transparency4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah4 #b4 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #b4 ,table of contents4 ,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4 ,,title ,i--,postal personnel ,sec4 #aja4 ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,postal ,service retiree health care benefit funding reform4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,medicare part ,b premium subsidy for newly enrolling ,postal ,service annuitants and family members4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,postal ,service pension funding reform4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,supervisory and other managerial organizations4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,right of appeal to ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board4 ,,title ,,ii--,postal ,service operations reform ,sec4 #bja4 ,governance reform4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,modernizing postal rates4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,nonpostal services4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,shipping of wine1 beer1 and distilled spirits4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,efficient and flexible universal postal service4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,fair stamp-evidencing competition4 ,sec4 #bjg4 ,market-dominant rates4 ,sec4 #bjh4 ,review of ,postal ,service cost attribution guidelines4 ,sec4 #bji4 ,aviation security for parcels4 ,sec4 #baj4 ,long-term solvency plan2 annual financial plan and budget4 ,sec4 #baa4 ,service standards1 performance targets1 and performance measurements4 ,sec4 #bab4 ,postal ,service ,chief ,innovation ,officer4 ,sec4 #bac4 ,emergency suspensions of post offices4 ,sec4 #bad4 ,mailing address requirements4 ,,title ,,iii--,postal contracting reform ,sec4 #cja4 ,contracting provisions4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,technical amendment to definition4 ,,title ,,iv--,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 ,inspector ,general1 related provisions1 and miscellaneous ,sec4 #dja4 ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,,gao report on fragmentation1 overlap1 and duplication in ,federal programs and activities4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the following definitions shall apply3 7#a7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7#b7 ,postal retail facility ,the term postal retail facility-- 7,a7 means a post office1 post office branch1 post office classified station1 or other facility that is operated by the ,postal ,service1 the primary function of which is to provide retail postal services2 and 7,b7 does not include a contractor-operated facility offering postal services4 7#c7 ,postal ,service ,the term ,postal ,service means the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 ,i ,postal personnel #aja4 ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #hi of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #hijc;b the following3 #hijc;c4 ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term initial contract year means the contract year beginning in ,january of the first full year that begins not less than #g months after the date of enactment of this section2 7#b7 the term initial participating carrier means a carrier that enters into a contract with the ,office to participate in the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program during the initial contract year2 7#c7 the term ,medicare eligible individual means an individual who-- 7,a7 is entitled to ,medicare part ,a1 but excluding an individual who is eligible to enroll under such part under section #ahah of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acie;i-#b72 and 7,b7 is eligible to enroll in ,medicare part ,b2 7#d7 the term ,medicare part ,a means the ,medicare program for hospital insurance benefits under part ,a of title ,,xviii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acie;c et seq472 7#e7 the term ,medicare part ,b means the ,medicare program for supplementary medical insurance benefits under part ,b of title ,,xviii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acie;j et seq472 7#f7 the term ,medicare part ,d means the ,medicare insurance program established under part ,d of title ,,xviii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciew-#aja et seq472 7#g7 the term ,office means the ,office of ,personnel ,management2 7#h7 the term ,postal ,service means the ,united ,states ,postal ,service2 7#i7 the term ,postal ,service annuitant means an annuitant enrolled in a health benefits plan under this chapter whose ,government contribution is paid by the ,postal ,service or the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund under section #hijf7;g77#b72 7#aj7 the term ,postal ,service employee means an employee of the ,postal ,service enrolled in a health benefits plan under this chapter2 7#aa7 the term ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program means the program of health benefits plans established under subsection 7c7 within the ,federal ,employees ,health ,benefits ,program under this chapter2 7#ab7 the term ,postal ,service ,medicare eligible annuitant means an individual who-- 7,a7 is a ,postal ,service annuitant2 and 7,b7 is a ,medicare eligible individual2 7#ac7 the term ,,pshbp plan means a health benefits plan offered under the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program2 and 7#ad7 the term qualified carrier means a carrier for which the total enrollment in the plans provided under this chapter includes1 in the contract year beginning in ,january of the year before the initial contract year1 a combined total of #a1ejj or more enrollees who are-- 7,a7 ,postal ,service employees2 or 7,b7 ,postal ,service annuitants4 7b7 ,application of section ,the requirements under this section shall-- 7#a7 apply to the initial contract year1 and each contract year thereafter2 and 7#b7 supersede other provisions of this chapter to the extent of any specific inconsistency1 as determined by the ,office4 7c7 ,establishment of the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,office shall establish the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program1 which shall-- 7,a7 consist of health benefits plans offered under this chapter2 7,b7 include plans offered by-- 7i7 each qualified carrier2 and 7ii7 any other carrier determined appropriate by the ,office2 7,c7 be available for participation by all ,postal ,service employees1 in accordance with subsection 7d72 7,d7 be available for participation by all ,postal ,service annuitants1 in accordance with subsection 7d72 7,e7 not be available for participation by an individual who is not a ,postal ,service employee or ,postal ,service annuitant 7except as a family member of such an employee or annuitant72 and 7,f7 be implemented and administered by the ,office4 7#b7 ,separate ,postal ,service risk pool ,the ,office shall ensure that each ,,pshbp plan includes rates1 one for enrollment as an individual1 one for enrollment for self plus one1 and one for enrollment for self and family within each option in the ,,pshbp plan1 that reasonably and equitably reflect the cost of benefits provided to a risk pool consisting solely of ,postal ,service employees and ,postal ,service annuitants 7and family members of such employees and annuitants71 taking into specific account the reduction in benefits cost for the ,,pshbp plan due to the ,medicare enrollment requirements under subsection 7e7 and any savings or subsidies resulting from subsection 7f74 7#c7 ,actuarially equivalent coverage ,the ,office shall ensure that each carrier participating in the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program provides coverage under the ,,pshbp plans offered by the carrier that is actuarially equivalent1 as determined by the ,director of the ,office1 to the coverage that the carrier provides under the health benefits plans offered by the carrier under the ,federal ,employee ,health ,benefits ,program that are not ,,pshbp plans4 7#d7 ,applicability of ,federal ,employee ,health ,benefits ,program requirements ,except as otherwise set forth in this section1 all provisions of this chapter applicable to health benefits plans offered by a carrier under section #hijc or #hijc;a shall apply to ,,pshbp plans4 7#e7 ,application of continuation coverage ,in accordance with rules established by the ,office1 section #hije;a shall apply to ,,pshbp plans in the same manner as that section applies to other health benefits plans offered under this chapter4 7d7 ,election of coverage 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 each ,postal ,service employee and ,postal ,service annuitant who elects to receive health benefits coverage under this chapter-- 7,a7 shall be subject to the requirements under this section2 and 7,b7 may only enroll in a ,,pshbp plan4 7#b7 ,annuitants ,a ,postal ,service annuitant shall not be subject to this section if the ,postal ,service annuitant-- 7,a7 is enrolled in a health benefits plan under this chapter for the contract year before the initial contract year that is not a health benefits plan offered by an initial participating carrier1 unless the ,postal ,service annuitant voluntarily enrolls in a ,,pshbp plan2 7,b7 resides in a geographic area-- 7i7 for which there is not a ,,pshbp plan in which the ,postal ,service annuitant may enroll2 or 7ii7 in which there is a lack of participating ,medicare part ,b providers2 or 7,c7 would not derive benefit from enrolling in ,medicare part ,b because of comprehensive medical coverage provided by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs or other programs4 7#c7 ,employees ,a ,postal ,service employee who is enrolled in a health benefits plan under this chapter for the contract year immediately preceding the initial contract year that is not a health benefits plan offered by an initial participating carrier shall not be subject to the requirements under this section1 except that-- 7,a7 if the ,postal ,service employee changes enrollment to a different health benefits plan under this chapter during the open season for the initial contract year1 or after the start of the initial contract year1 the ,postal ,service employee may only enroll in a ,,pshbp plan2 7,b7 if the health benefits plan in which the ,postal ,service employee is enrolled for such contract year becomes available as a ,,pshbp plan1 the ,postal ,service employee may only enroll in a ,,pshbp plan2 7,c7 upon becoming a ,postal ,service annuitant1 if the ,postal ,service employee elects to continue coverage under this chapter1 the ,postal ,service employee shall enroll in a ,,pshbp plan during-- 7i7 the open season that is being held when the ,postal ,service employee becomes a ,postal ,service annuitant2 or 7ii7 if the date on which the ,postal ,service employee becomes a ,postal ,service annuitant falls outside of an open season1 the first open season following that date2 and 7,d7 subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 shall not apply to an employee who resides in a geographic area for which there is not a ,,pshbp plan in which the employee may enroll4 7e7 ,requirement of ,medicare enrollment 7#a7 ,postal ,service ,medicare eligible annuitants ,a ,postal ,service ,medicare eligible annuitant subject to this section may not continue coverage under the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program unless the ,postal ,service ,medicare eligible annuitant enrolls in ,medicare part ,a1 ,medicare part ,b1 and ,medicare part ,d 7as part of a prescription drug plan described in subsection 7f77#b774 7#b7 ,medicare eligible family members ,if a family member of a ,postal ,service annuitant who is subject to this section is a ,medicare eligible individual1 the family member may not be covered under the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program as a family member of the ,postal ,service annuitant unless the family member enrolls in ,medicare part ,a1 ,medicare part ,b1 and ,medicare part ,d 7as part of a prescription drug plan described in subsection 7f77#b774 7#c7 ,process for coordinated election of enrollment under ,medicare part ,b ,the ,office shall establish a process under which-- 7,a7 ,postal ,service annuitants and family members who are subject to the requirements of paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7-- 7i7 are informed1 at the time of enrollment under this chapter1 of such requirement2 and 7ii7 except as provided in paragraph 7#d71 as a consequence of such enrollment are deemed to have elected to be enrolled under ,medicare part ,b 7under subsection 7m77#a7 of section #ahcg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciep77 in connection with the enrollment in a ,,pshbp plan under this chapter2 and 7,b7 the ,office provides the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,commissioner of ,social ,security in a timely manner with such information respecting such annuitants and family members and such election as may be required to effect their enrollment and coverage under ,medicare part ,b and this section in a timely manner4 7#d7 ,waiver for extreme financial hardship 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,postal ,service1 in consultation with recognized labor organizations and management organizations1 shall establish a waiver program under which the requirement to enroll in ,medicare part ,b under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b71 as applicable1 is waived for ,postal ,service annuitants and family members who demonstrate extreme financial hardship4 7,b7 ,effect of waiver ,if the applicable requirement described in subparagraph 7,a7 is waived for a ,postal ,service annuitant or family member-- 7i7 the ,postal ,service shall notify the ,office of the waiver2 and 7ii7 the annuitant or family member shall not be deemed to have elected to be enrolled under ,medicare part ,b as described in paragraph 7#c77;,a77ii74 7f7 ,medicare coordination 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,office shall require each ,,pshbp plan to provide benefits for ,medicare eligible individuals pursuant to the standard coordination of benefits method used under this chapter1 rather than the exclusion method or the carve-out method4 7#b7 ,medicare part ,d prescription drug benefits ,the ,office shall require each ,,pshbp plan to provide qualified prescription drug coverage for ,postal ,service annuitants and family members who are part ,d eligible individuals 7as defined in section #ahfj;,d-#a7;a77#c77;,a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciew-#aja7;a77#c77;,a77 under a prescription drug plan under ,medicare part ,d pursuant to the provisions of section #ahfj;,d-#bb7;b7 7commonly referred to as an employer group waiver plan74 ,for purposes of the preceding sentence1 the carrier offering the ,,pshbp plan shall be deemed to be the sponsor of the plan for purposes of ,medicare part ,d4 7g7 ,postal ,service contribution 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to subsection 7i71 for purposes of applying section #hijf7;b7 to the ,postal ,service1 the weighted average shall be calculated in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 7#b7 ,weighted average calculation ,not later than ,october #a of each year 7beginning with the year before the initial contract year71 the ,office shall determine the weighted average of the rates established pursuant to subsection 7c77#b7 for ,,pshbp plans that will be in effect during the following contract year with respect to-- 7,a7 enrollments for self only2 7,b7 enrollments for self plus one2 and 7,c7 enrollments for self and family4 7#c7 ,weighting in computing rates for initial contract year ,in determining such weighted average of the rates for the initial contract year1 the ,office shall take into account 7for purposes of section #hijf7;a77#b77 the enrollment of ,postal ,service employees and annuitants in the health benefits plans offered by the initial participating carriers as of ,march #ca of the year before the initial contract year4 7h7 ,reserves 7#a7 ,separate reserves 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,office shall ensure that each ,,pshbp plan maintains separate reserves 7including a separate contingency reserve7 with respect to the enrollees in the ,,pshbp plan in accordance with section #hiji4 7,b7 ,references ,for purposes of the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program1 each reference to the ,government in section #hiji shall be deemed to be a reference to the ,postal ,service4 7,c7 ,amounts to be credited ,the reserves 7including the separate contingency reserve7 maintained by each ,,pshbp plan shall be credited with a proportionate amount of the funds in the existing reserves for health benefits plans offered by an initial participating carrier4 7#b7 ,discontinuation of ,,pshbp plan ,in applying section #hiji7;e7 relating to a ,,pshbp plan that is discontinued1 the ,office shall credit the separate ,postal ,service contingency reserve maintained under paragraph 7#a7 for that plan only to the separate ,postal ,service contingency reserves of the ,,pshbp plans continuing under this chapter4 7i7 ,no effect on existing law ,nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting section #ajje7;f7 of title #ci regarding variations1 additions1 or substitutions to the provisions of this chapter4 7j7 ,medicare ,education ,program ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,postal ,service shall establish a ,medicare ,education ,program1 under which the ,postal ,service shall-- 7#a7 notify annuitants and employees of the ,postal ,service about the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program2 7#b7 provide information regarding the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program to such annuitants and employees1 including-- 7,a7 a description of the health care options available under the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program2 7,b7 the requirement that annuitants be enrolled in ,medicare under subsection 7e77#a72 and 7,c7 the premium subsidies under section #ajc of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah2 and 7#c7 respond and provide answers to any inquiry from such annuitants and employees about the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program or ,medicare enrollment4 4 7#b7 ,technical and conforming amendments 7,a7 ,section #hijc7a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking two levels of benefits and inserting #b levels of benefits for enrollees under this chapter generally and #b levels of benefits for enrollees under the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program established under section #hijc;c4 7,b7 ,the table of sections for chapter #hi of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #hijc;b the following3 #hijc;c4 ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program4 4 7b7 ,coordination with ,medicare 7#a7 ,medicare enrollment and coverage ,section #ahcg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciep7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7m7 7#a7 ,in the case of an individual who-- 7,a7 is 7i7 a ,postal ,service ,medicare eligible annuitant1 or 7ii7 an individual who is a family member of such an annuitant and is a ,medicare eligible individual2 7,b7 enrolls in a ,,pshbp plan under section #hijc;c of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,c7 is not enrolled under this part1 the individual is deemed1 in accordance with section #hijc;c7e77#c7 of such title1 to have elected to be enrolled under this part4 7#b7 ,in the case of an individual who is deemed to have elected to be enrolled under paragraph 7#a71 the coverage period under this part shall begin on the date that the individual first has coverage under the ,,pshbp plan pursuant to the enrollment described in paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7#c7 ,the provisions of section #ahch7;b7 shall apply to an individual who is deemed to have elected to be enrolled under paragraph 7#a74 7#d7 ,the ,secretary1 the ,commissioner of ,social ,security1 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 and the ,office of ,personnel ,management shall coordinate to monitor premiums paid by individuals who are deemed to have elected to be enrolled under paragraph 7#a7 for purposes of determining whether those individuals are in compliance with the applicable requirements under section #hijc;c7e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,the definitions in section #hijc;c7a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall apply for purposes of this subsection4 4 7#b7 ,waiver of increase of premium ,section #ahci7;b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acier7b77 is amended by inserting after section #ahcg1 the following3 and not pursuant to a deemed enrollment under subsection 7m7 of such section during the open season for the initial contract year 7as defined in section #hijc;c7a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code7 of the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program14 7#c7 ,conforming coordination of benefit rules ,section #ahfb7;b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciey7b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#aj7 ,coordination of benefits with ,postal ,service health benefits plans ,paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#i7 shall apply except to the extent that the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 determines those paragraphs to be inconsistent with section #hijc;c7f7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 4 #ajb4 ,postal ,service retiree health care benefit funding reform 7a7 ,contributions ,section #hijf7;g7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking 7#b77;,a7 ,the ,government and inserting 7#b77;,a77i7 ,the ,government2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 as added by paragraph 7#a71 by striking shall through ,september #cj1 #bjaf1 be paid and all that follows and inserting the following3 shall be paid as provided in clause 7ii742 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 ,with respect to the ,government contributions required to be paid under clause 7i7-- 7,i7 the portion of the contributions that is equal to the amount of the net claims costs under the enrollment of the individuals described in clause 7i7 shall be paid from the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund up to the amount contained in the ,fund2 and 7,,ii7 any remaining amount shall be paid by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,for purposes of this paragraph1 the amount of the net claims costs under the enrollment of an individual described in subparagraph 7,a77i7 shall be the amount1 as determined by the ,office over any particular period of time1 equal to the difference between-- 7i7 the sum of-- 7,i7 the costs incurred by a carrier in providing health services to1 paying for health services provided to1 or reimbursing expenses for health services provided to1 the individual and any other person covered under the enrollment of the individual2 and 7,,ii7 an amount of indirect expenses reasonably allocable to the provision1 payment1 or reimbursement described in subclause 7,i71 as determined by the ,office2 and 7ii7 the amount withheld from the annuity of the individual or otherwise paid by the individual under this section4 7,d7 ,any computation by the ,office under this section that relates to an individual described in subparagraph 7,a77i7 of this paragraph shall be made in consultation with the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 4 7b7 ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund ,section #hiji;a7d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 by striking ,office and inserting ,united ,states ,postal ,service2 and 7,b7 by striking required under section #hijf7;g77#b77;,a7 and inserting the following3 required to be paid from the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund under section #hijf7;g77#b77;,a77ii77,i72 7#b7 by striking paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#d72 7#c7 by redesignating paragraph 7#c7 as paragraph 7#d72 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 ,the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall make sufficient payments into the ,fund1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e77;,b71 so that the value of the assets of the ,fund is equal to the ,postal ,service actuarial liability4 7#c7 7,a7 ,not later than ,june #cj1 #bjai1 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall compute1 and by ,june #cj of each succeeding year1 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall recompute1 a schedule including a series of annual installments that provide for the liquidation of the amount described under subparagraph 7,b7 7regardless of whether the amount is a liability or surplus7 by ,september #cj of the first fiscal year that begins #dj years after the date of enactment of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah 7unless the schedule is extended as provided in paragraph 7#d77;,c77ii77,,ii771 including interest at the rate used in the computations under this subsection4 7,b7 ,the amount described in this subparagraph is the amount1 as of the date on which the applicable computation or recomputation under subparagraph 7,a7 is made1 that is equal to the difference between-- 7i7 #hj percent of the ,postal ,service actuarial liability as of ,september #cj of the preceding fiscal year2 and 7ii7 the value of the assets of the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund as of ,september #cj of the preceding fiscal year4 2 7#e7 in paragraph 7#d71 as so redesignated-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 in clause 7iii71 by adding and at the end2 7ii7 in clause 7iv71 by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period2 and 7iii7 by striking clauses 7v7 through 7x72 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting paragraph 7#a71 except to the extent the payment would cause the value of the assets in the ,fund to exceed the ,postal ,service actuarial liability2 and 7ii7 in clause 7ii7-- 7,i7 by inserting except as provided in subparagraph 7,c71 before any2 and 7,,ii7 by striking paragraph 7#b77;,b74 and inserting paragraph 7#c742 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 7i7 ,upon request by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission may waive the annual installment payment required to be made in a fiscal year under subparagraph 7,b77ii7 if the ,united ,states ,postal ,service meets conditions established by the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission related to-- 7,i7 financial stability and retained earnings2 and 7,,ii7 the capability to maintain a high level of service4 7ii7 ,if the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission waives the annual installment payment required to be made in a fiscal year under subparagraph 7,b77ii7-- 7,i7 for purposes of any financial reporting by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 the payment shall be deemed to have been made2 and 7,,ii7 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall extend the liquidation schedule under paragraph 7#c77;,a7 by #a year4 7iii7 ,if the ,united ,states ,postal ,service does not request a waiver of the annual installment payment required to be made in a fiscal year under subparagraph 7,b77ii7 and does not make the payment1 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service may not increase rates for market-dominant products under section #cfbb of title #ci during the following fiscal year4 2 7#f7 by redesignating paragraph 7#f7 as paragraph 7#h72 7#g7 by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting the following3 7#e7 7,a7 ,concurrently with each computation or recomputation under paragraph 7#c71 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall compute the amount1 as of the date of the computation1 that is equal to the difference between-- 7i7 the ,postal ,service actuarial liability as of ,september #cj of the preceding fiscal year2 and 7ii7 the value of the assets of the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund as of ,september #cj of the preceding fiscal year4 7,b7 ,if the ,united ,states ,postal ,service disposes of any property owned or leased by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 and1 based on the most recent computation under subparagraph 7,a71 the amount described in clause 7i7 of that subparagraph is greater than the amount described in clause 7ii7 of that subparagraph1 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall pay into the ,fund the lesser of-- 7i7 the amount of net profit to the ,united ,states ,postal ,service resulting from the disposal of property 7as determined by the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission72 or 7ii7 the amount computed under subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall make each payment required under subparagraph 7,b7 without regard to whether the ,united ,states ,postal ,service has completed the annual installment payments required under paragraph 7#d77;,b77ii71 as scheduled under paragraph 7#c77;,a74 7#f7 ,computations under this subsection shall be based on-- 7,a7 economic and actuarial methods and assumptions consistent with the methods and assumptions used in determining the ,postal surplus or supplemental liability under section #hcdh7;h72 and 7,b7 any other methods and assumptions1 including a health care cost trend rate1 that the ,director of the ,office determines to be appropriate4 7#g7 7,a7 ,the ,office shall provide to the ,united ,states ,postal ,service any data necessary for computations under this subsection4 7,b7 ,upon computing an amount or schedule under this subsection for a fiscal year1 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall provide the data used for the computation to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission for review of the computation4 7,c7 ,not later than #cj days after receiving data from the ,united ,states ,postal ,service under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 in consultation with the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 shall-- 7i7 determine whether the amount or schedule was computed in accordance with this subsection2 7ii7 if the amount or schedule was computed in accordance with this subsection1 submit to the ,office a certification that the amount or schedule is the definitive amount or schedule for that fiscal year2 and 7iii7 if the amount or schedule was not computed in accordance with this subsection1 request that the ,office recompute the amount or schedule4 7,d7 7i7 ,not later than #cj days after receiving a request from the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission under subparagraph 7,c77iii71 the ,office shall recompute the amount or schedule4 7ii7 ,if the ,office recomputes an amount or schedule under clause 7i71 the recomputed amount or schedule shall be the definitive amount or schedule for that fiscal year for purposes of this subsection4 2 and 7#h7 by adding at the end the following3 7#i7 ,in this subsection1 the term ,postal ,service actuarial liability means the difference between-- 7,a7 the net present value of future payments required to be paid from the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund under section #hijf7;g77#b77;,a77ii77,i7 for current and future ,united ,states ,postal ,service annuitants2 and 7,b7 the net present value as computed under paragraph 7#a7 attributable to the future service of ,united ,states ,postal ,service employees4 7#aj7 ,for purposes of computing an amount under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#i77;,a71 section #hijf7;g77#b77;,a77ii77,i7 shall be applied as though up to the amount contained in the ,fund were struck4 4 7c7 ,cancellation of certain unpaid obligations of the ,postal ,service ,any obligation of the ,postal ,service under section #hiji;a7d77#c77;,a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 that remains unpaid as of such date of enactment is canceled4 7d7 ,one-time transfer to ,medicare funds 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term applicable fiscal year means the first fiscal year beginning on or after ,october #a1 #bjbj1 in which the amount computed under paragraph 7#c77;,b7 of section #hiji;a7d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7as amended by subsection 7b77 is a surplus2 and 7,b7 the term ,medicare fund means-- 7i7 the ,federal ,hospital ,insurance ,trust ,fund under section #ahag of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acie;i72 7ii7 the ,federal ,supplementary ,medical ,insurance ,trust ,fund under section #ahda of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciet72 and 7iii7 the ,medicare ,prescription ,drug ,account under section #ahfj;,d-#af of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciew-#aaf74 7#b7 ,transfer required ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the schedule under paragraph 7#c77;,a7 of section #hiji;a7d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7as amended by subsection 7b77 in the applicable fiscal year is certified by the ,commission or recomputed by the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 as applicable under paragraph 7#f7 of such section #hiji;a7d7-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall-- 7i7 estimate the amount of the increased expenditures required from the ,medicare funds1 including the amount required from each such fund1 by reason of the requirements under section #hijc;c7e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by section #aja7;a77#a7 of this ,act7 for the #aj-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7ii7 notify the ,secretary of the ,treasury and the ,postal ,service of the amount estimated under clause 7i72 and 7,b7 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall transfer from the ,postal ,service ,retiree ,health ,benefits ,fund to the ,medicare funds an amount equal to the amount estimated by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under subparagraph 7,a77i71 in accordance with paragraph 7#c7 of this subsection4 7#c7 ,distribution ,an amount transferred under subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b7 shall be divided among the ,medicare funds in proportion to the increased expenditures required from each such fund1 as estimated by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under subparagraph 7,a77i7 of that paragraph4 7e7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the heading of section #hiji;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking ,benefit and inserting ,benefits4 7f7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section is intended to establish a precedent with respect to ,federal employees at large1 given that the ,postal ,service is a unique entity within the ,federal ,government and benefits for employees of the ,postal ,service are only partially integrated with benefits for ,federal employees at large4 #ajc4 ,medicare part ,b premium subsidy for newly enrolling ,postal ,service annuitants and family members 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term eligible individual means a ,postal ,service annuitant1 or a family member of a ,postal ,service annuitant1 who-- 7,a7 newly enrolls in ,medicare part ,b during the open season for the initial contract year pursuant to a deemed enrollment under subsection 7m7 of section #ahcg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciep71 as added by section #aja of this ,act2 and 7,b7 is not eligible for ,medicare cost-sharing or any other subsidies for ,medicare part ,b premium payments2 7#b7 the term initial contract year has the meaning given the term in section #hijc;c7a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #aja of this ,act2 7#c7 the term ,medicare cost-sharing means ,medicare cost-sharing described in section #aije7p77#c77;,a77ii7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif;d7p77#c77;,a77ii77 under a ,state plan under title ,,xix of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq472 7#d7 the term ,medicare part ,b means the ,medicare program for supplementary medical insurance benefits under part ,b of title ,,xviii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acie;j et seq472 and 7#e7 the term ,postal ,service annuitant has the meaning given the term in section #hijc;c7a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #aja of this ,act4 7b7 ,subsidies ,with respect to the monthly ,medicare part ,b premium payments of eligible individuals 7taking into account any adjustments1 including those under subsections 7b7 and 7i7 of section #ahci of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acier771 the ,postal ,service-- 7#a7 in the initial contract year1 shall subsidize #ge percent of the ,medicare part ,b premium payments2 7#b7 in the first year after the initial contract year1 shall subsidize #ej percent of the ,medicare part ,b premium payments2 and 7#c7 in the second year after the initial contract year1 shall subsidize #be percent of the ,medicare part ,b premium payments4 7c7 ,fund ,the ,postal ,service shall establish a fund to provide the subsidies required under subsection 7b74 #ajd4 ,postal ,service pension funding reform 7a7 ,civil ,service ,retirement ,system ,section #hcdh7;h7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 ,the ,office shall redetermine the ,postal surplus or supplemental liability as of the close of the fiscal year1 for each fiscal year beginning after ,september #cj1 #bjaf4 ,subject to subparagraph 7,c71 beginning ,june #ae1 #bjah1 if the result is a surplus or a supplemental liability1 the ,office shall establish an amortization schedule1 including a series of annual installments commencing on ,september #cj of the subsequent fiscal year1 which provides for the liquidation of the surplus or liability to the ,postal ,service or the ,fund 7as the case may be7 by ,september #cj1 #bjdc4 7,c7 ,not later than ,june #cj1 #bjcc1 the ,office shall determine1 and thereafter shall redetermine as necessary1 but not more frequently than once per year1 the appropriate date by which to complete the liquidation of any remaining surplus or liability determined under this paragraph4 ,the appropriate date shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles and shall not be later than #ae years after the date on which the determination is made4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,for the purpose of carrying out paragraph 7#a71 for fiscal year #bjag and each fiscal year thereafter1 the ,office shall use-- 7,a7 demographic factors specific to current and former employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 unless such data cannot be generated2 and 7,b7 economic assumptions regarding wage and salary growth that reflect the specific past1 and likely future1 pay for current employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 4 7b7 ,federal ,employees ,retirement ,system liability assumption reform ,section #hdbc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 in clause 7i71 by striking subparagraph 7,b771 and inserting subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,c7712 and 7,,ii7 in clause 7ii71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b77ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 the product of-- 7i7 the normal-cost percentage1 as determined for employees 7other than employees covered by subparagraph 7,b77 of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service under paragraph 7#e71 multiplied by 7ii7 the aggregate amount of basic pay payable by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 for the period involved1 to employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 7,a7 ,in determining the normal-cost percentage for employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,c71 the ,office shall use-- 7i7 demographic factors specific to such employees1 unless such data cannot be generated2 and 7ii7 economic assumptions regarding wage and salary growth that reflect the specific past1 and likely future1 pay for such employees4 7,b7 ,the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall provide any data or projections the ,office requires in order to determine the normal-cost percentage for employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 consistent with subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,the ,office shall review the determination of the normal-cost percentage for employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and make such adjustments as the ,office considers necessary-- 7i7 upon request of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 but not more frequently than once each fiscal year2 and 7ii7 at such other times as the ,office considers appropriate4 7#f7 ,for the purpose of carrying out subsection 7b77#a77;,b71 and consistent with paragraph 7#e71 for fiscal year #bjag1 and each fiscal year thereafter1 the ,office shall use-- 7,a7 demographic factors specific to current and former employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 unless such data cannot be generated2 and 7,b7 economic assumptions regarding wage and salary growth that reflect the specific past1 and likely future1 pay for current employees of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following3 7#e7 7,a7 ,in this paragraph1 the term postal funding surplus means the amount by which the amount of the supplemental liability computed under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 is less than zero4 7,b7 ,if the amount of supplemental liability computed under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 as of the close of any fiscal year after the date of enactment of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah is less than zero1 the ,office shall establish an amortization schedule1 including a series of equal annual installments that-- 7i7 provide for the liquidation of the postal funding surplus in #cj years1 commencing on ,september #cj of the subsequent fiscal year2 and 7ii7 shall be transferred to the ,postal ,service ,fund4 4 #aje4 ,supervisory and other managerial organizations ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,service shall submit to ,congress a report on compliance by the ,postal ,service with outcomes of consultative discussions under section #ajjd7;e7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 held with postal management organizations on changes in1 or termination of1 pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs for members of the postal management organization1 including changes in1 or termination of1 policies governing pay-for-performance systems covering supervisory and management employees4 #ajf4 ,right of appeal to ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board ,section #ajje7;a77#d77;,a77ii77,i7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 7,i7 is an employee of the ,postal ,service or the ,office of the ,inspector ,general who is not represented by a bargaining representative recognized under section #abjc2 and 4 ,,ii ,postal ,service operations reform #bja4 ,governance reform 7a7 ,board of ,governors 7#a7 ,in general ,section #bjb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #bjb4 ,board of ,governors 7a7 ,in general ,there is established in the ,postal ,service a ,board of ,governors composed of #e ,governors1 a ,postmaster ,general1 and a ,deputy ,postmaster ,general1 all of whom shall be appointed in accordance with this section4 ,the ,governors shall have the power to-- 7#a7 exercise the powers of the ,postal ,service1 consistent with section #bjc7;c72 7#b7 appoint1 fix the term of service of1 and remove the ,postmaster ,general2 7#c7 in consultation with the ,postmaster ,general1 appoint1 fix the term of service of1 and remove the ,deputy ,postmaster ,general2 7#d7 set the strategic direction of postal operations and approve the pricing and product strategy for the ,postal ,service2 7#e7 set the compensation of the ,postmaster ,general and the ,deputy ,postmaster ,general in accordance with private sector best practices1 as determined by the ,governors pursuant to section #cfhf2 and 7#f7 carry out any other duties specifically provided for in this title4 7b7 ,appointment2 pay 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,governors shall be appointed by the ,president1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate1 not more than #c of whom may be adherents of the same political party4 ,the ,governors shall elect a ,chair from among their members4 ,the ,governors shall represent the public interest generally1 and shall be chosen solely on the basis of their experience in the field of public administration1 law1 or accounting1 or on their demonstrated ability in managing organizations or corporations 7in either the public or private sector7 of substantial size1 except that at least #c of the ,governors shall be chosen solely on the basis of their demonstrated ability in managing organizations or corporations 7in either the public or private sector7 that employ at least #aj1jjj employees4 ,the ,governors shall not be representatives of specific interests using the ,postal ,service1 and may be removed only for cause4 7#b7 ,compensation ,each ,governor shall receive a salary of #cj1jjj a year plus #cjj a day for not more than #db days of meetings each year and shall be reimbursed for travel and reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the ,board4 ,nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the number of days of meetings each year to #db days4 7#c7 ,consultation ,in selecting the individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 for nomination for appointment to the position of ,governor1 the ,president should consult with the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives1 the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives1 the majority leader of the ,senate1 and the minority leader of the ,senate4 7c7 ,terms of ,governors 7#a7 ,in general ,the terms of the #e ,governors shall be #g years1 except that the terms of the #e ,governors first taking office shall expire as designated by the ,president at the time of appointment1 #a at the end of #a year1 #a at the end of #b years1 #a at the end of #c years1 #a at the end of #d years1 and #a at the end of #e years1 following the appointment of the first of them4 ,any ,governor appointed to fill a vacancy before the expiration of the term for which the ,governor's predecessor was appointed shall serve for the remainder of such term4 ,a ,governor may continue to serve after the expiration of the ,governor's term until such ,governor's successor has qualified1 but not to exceed one year4 7#b7 ,limitation ,no individual may serve more than #b terms as a ,governor4 7d7 ,staff ,the ,chair of the ,board of ,governors shall ensure that the ,board has appropriate independent staff to carry out the roles and responsibilities of the ,board and the ,governors4 4 7#b7 ,application ,any individual serving as a ,governor on the ,board of ,governors of the ,postal ,service on the date of enactment of this ,act shall continue to serve as a ,governor until the term applicable to such individual expires 7as determined under section #bjb7;b7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as in effect before the amendments made by this section take effect pursuant to subsection 7g774 7b7 ,postmaster ,general 7#a7 ,in general ,section #bjc of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #bjc4 ,postmaster ,general 7a7 ,in general ,the chief executive officer of the ,postal ,service is the ,postmaster ,general1 appointed pursuant to section #bjb7;a77#b74 ,the alternate chief executive officer of the ,postal ,service is the ,deputy ,postmaster ,general1 appointed pursuant to section #bjb7;a77#c74 7b7 ,powers ,consistent with the requirements of this title1 the exercise of the power of the ,postal ,service shall be vested in the ,governors and carried out by the ,postmaster ,general in a manner consistent with the strategic direction and pricing and product strategy approved by the ,governors4 ,the ,postmaster ,general shall1 in accordance with bylaws determined appropriate by the ,board1 consult with the ,governors and the ,deputy ,postmaster ,general in carrying out such power4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,the item relating to section #bjc in the table of sections for chapter #b of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #bjc4 ,postmaster ,general4 4 7c7 ,procedures of the ,board ,section #bje of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #bje4 ,procedures of the ,board of ,governors and the ,governors 7a7 ,vacancies ,vacancies in the ,board shall not impair the powers of the ,board or the ,governors under this title4 7b7 ,vote ,the ,board and the ,governors shall act upon majority vote of those members who are present1 subject to such quorum requirements as the ,board and the ,governors may respectively establish4 7c7 ,limitation ,no officer or employee of the ,united ,states may serve concurrently as a ,governor4 ,a ,governor may hold any other office or employment not inconsistent or in conflict with the ,governor's duties1 responsibilities1 and powers as an officer of the ,government of the ,united ,states in the ,postal ,service4 4 7d7 ,delegation of authority ,section #djb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #djb4 ,delegation of authority 7a7 ,postmaster ,general ,the ,postmaster ,general may delegate his or her authority under such terms1 conditions1 and limitations1 including the power of redelegation1 as he or she determines desirable4 ,the ,postmaster ,general may establish such committees of officers and employees of the ,postal ,service1 and delegate such powers to any committee1 as the ,postmaster ,general determines appropriate to carry out his or her functions and duties4 ,delegations under this section shall be consistent with other provisions of this title1 shall not relieve the ,postmaster ,general of full responsibility for the carrying out the ,postmaster ,general's duties and functions1 and shall be revocable by the ,postmaster ,general4 7b7 ,board of ,governors ,the ,board may establish such committees of the ,board1 and delegate such powers to any committee1 as the ,board determines appropriate to carry out its functions and duties4 ,delegations to committees shall be consistent with other provisions of this title1 shall not relieve the ,board of full responsibility for the carrying out of its duties and functions1 and shall be revocable by the ,board in its exclusive judgment4 4 7e7 ,international postal arrangements 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djg of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,after submission to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission by the ,department of ,state of the budget detailing the estimated costs of carrying out the activities under this section1 and the ,commission's review and approval of such submission1 the ,postal ,service shall transfer to the ,department of ,state1 from any funds available to the ,postal ,service1 such sums as may be reasonable1 documented1 and auditable for the ,department of ,state to carry out such activities4 4 7#b7 ,application ,the amendment made by paragraph 7#a7 shall take effect on ,october #a of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,conforming amendment ,section #fcc of title ,,vi of the ,treasury and ,general ,government ,appropriations ,act1 #aiii 7,public ,law #aje-bgg2 #ci ,u4,s4,c4 #djg note7 is amended by striking subsection 7d74 7f7 ,technical and conforming amendments ,title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #ajb7c7-- 7,a7 by striking #i members and inserting #e members2 and 7,b7 by striking section #bjb7;a7 and inserting section #bjb7;b77#a72 7#b7 in section #bjd-- 7,a7 by striking the ,board and inserting the ,postmaster ,general2 and 7,b7 by striking the ,governors and2 7#c7 in section #bjg1 by striking the ,board and inserting the ,postal ,service2 7#d7 in section #dad7;b77#b71 by striking the ,governors each place the term appears and inserting the ,postal ,service2 7#e7 in section #daf7;c7-- 7,a7 by striking the ,governors and inserting the ,postal ,service2 and 7,b7 by striking they and inserting the ,postal ,service2 7#f7 in section #ajaa1 by striking the ,board and inserting the ,postal ,service2 7#g7 by striking section #bdjb and inserting the following3 #bdjb4 ,annual report ,the ,postmaster ,general shall render an annual report concerning the operations of the ,postal ,service under this title to the ,president and ,congress4 2 7#h7 in section #cfcb-- 7,a7 by striking the section heading1 and inserting ,establishment of rates and classes of competitive products2 7,b7 by striking subsection 7a7 and redesignating subsections 7b7 and 7c7 as subsections 7a7 and 7b71 respectively2 7,c7 in paragraph 7a77#b7 7as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b771 by striking and the record of the ,governors' proceedings in connection with such decision2 7,d7 in paragraph 7a77#c7 7as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b77-- 7i7 by striking and the record of the proceedings in connection with such decision2 and 7ii7 by striking the ,governors consider and inserting the ,postal ,service considers2 and 7,e7 by striking the ,governors each place the term appears and inserting the ,postal ,service2 and 7#i7 in the table of sections for chapter #cf1 by striking the item relating to section #cfcb and inserting the following3 #cfcb4 ,establishment of rates and classes of competitive products4 4 7g7 ,delayed effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #bjb4 ,modernizing postal rates 7a7 ,adequacy1 efficiency1 and fairness of postal rates 7#a7 ,objectives ,section #cfbb7;b7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting and ensure after create2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 by inserting and meet after maintain2 and 7ii7 by inserting 1 with a focus on achieving predictable and consistent delivery before the period at the end2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#e71 by inserting establish and before maintain2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking process and inserting and cost attribution processes2 and 7,e7 in paragraph 7#i71 by inserting 7and to ensure appropriate levels of transparency7 before the period at the end4 7#b7 ,factors ,section #cfbb7;c7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,factors ,in establishing or revising such system1 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall take into account the following factors3 7#a7 ,the effect of rate increases upon the general public and business mail users4 7#b7 ,the available alternative means of sending and receiving written communications1 information1 and letters and other mail matter at reasonable costs4 7#c7 ,the reliability of delivery timelines and the extent to which the ,postal ,service is meeting its service standard obligations4 7#d7 ,the need to ensure that the ,postal ,service has adequate revenues and has taken appropriate cost-cutting measures to maintain financial stability and meet all legal obligations4 7#e7 ,the extent to which the ,postal ,service has taken actions to increase its efficiency and reduce its costs4 7#f7 ,the value of the mail service actually provided by each class or type of mail service to both the sender and the recipient1 including the collection1 mode of transportation1 and priority of delivery4 7#g7 ,the requirement that each class of mail or type of mail service bear the direct and indirect postal costs attributable to each class or type of mail service through reliably identified causal relationships plus that portion of all other costs of the ,postal ,service reasonably assignable to such class or type4 7#h7 ,the degree of preparation of mail for delivery into the postal system performed by the mailer and its effect upon improving efficiency and reducing costs to the ,postal ,service4 7#i7 ,simplicity of structure for the entire schedule and simple1 identifiable relationships between the rates or fees charged the various classes of mail for postal services4 7#aj7 ,the importance of pricing flexibility to encourage increased mail volume and operational efficiency4 7#aa7 ,the relative value to postal users of the kinds of mail matter entered into the postal system and the desirability and justification for special classifications and services of mail4 7#ab7 ,the importance of providing classifications with extremely high degrees of reliability and speed of delivery and of providing those that do not require high degrees of reliability and speed of delivery4 7#ac7 ,the desirability of special classifications for both postal users and the ,postal ,service in accordance with the policies of this title1 including agreements between the ,postal ,service and postal users1 when available on public and reasonable terms to similarly situated mailers1 that-- 7,a7 improve the net financial position of the ,postal ,service by reducing ,postal ,service costs or increasing the overall contribution to the institutional costs of the ,postal ,service2 and 7,b7 do not cause-- 7i7 unfair competitive advantage for the ,postal ,service or postal users eligible for the agreements2 or 7ii7 unreasonable disruption to the volume or revenues of other postal users4 7#ad7 ,the educational1 cultural1 scientific1 and informational value to the recipient of mail matter4 7#ae7 ,the need for the ,postal ,service to increase its efficiency and reduce its costs1 including infrastructure costs1 to help maintain high quality1 affordable postal services4 7#af7 ,the value to the ,postal ,service and postal users of promoting intelligent mail and of secure1 sender-identified mail4 7#ag7 ,the importance of stability and predictability of rates to ratepayers4 7#ah7 ,the policies of this title as well as such other factors as the ,commission determines appropriate4 4 7#c7 ,requirements ,section #cfbb7;d7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e7 as subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,f71 respectively2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,f7 7as redesignated by clause 7i77 by striking subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,c7 and inserting subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,d72 and 7iii7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following3 7,b7 subject to paragraph 7#d71 establish postal rates for each group of functionally equivalent agreements between the ,postal ,service and users of the mail that-- 7i7 cover attributable cost2 7ii7 improve the net financial position of the ,postal ,service2 and 7iii7 do not cause unreasonable disruption in the marketplace1 consistent with subsection 7c77#ac77;,b72 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,group of functionally equivalent agreements defined ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,b71 a group of functionally equivalent agreements shall consist of all service agreements that are functionally equivalent to each other within the same market-dominant product1 but shall not include agreements within an experimental product4 4 7#d7 ,technical and conforming amendments ,section #cfbb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking 1 within #ah months after the date of enactment of this section12 and 7,b7 in subsection 7d77#a77;,d7 7as redesignated by paragraph 7#c77;,a771 by striking 7c77#aj7 and inserting 7c77#ac74 7b7 ,use of negotiated service agreements 7#a7 ,streamlined review of qualifying service agreements for competitive products ,section #cfcc of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,streamlined review ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this subsection1 after notice and opportunity for comment1 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall promulgate 7and may from time to time thereafter revise7 regulations for streamlined after-the-fact review of newly proposed agreements between the ,postal ,service and users of the mail that provide rates not of general applicability for competitive products4 ,streamlined review shall apply only if agreements are functionally equivalent to existing agreements that have collectively covered attributable costs and collectively improved the net financial position of the ,postal ,service4 ,the regulations issued under this subsection shall provide that streamlined review shall be concluded not later than #e business days after the date on which the agreement is filed with the ,commission and shall be limited to approval or disapproval of the agreement as a whole based on the ,commission's determination of its functional equivalence4 ,agreements not approved may be resubmitted without prejudice under section #cfcb4 4 7#b7 ,submission of service agreements for streamlined review ,section #cfcb7;b7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#d7 as paragraph 7#e72 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c7 the following3 7#d7 ,rates for streamlined review ,in the case of rates not of general applicability for competitive products that the ,postal ,service considers eligible for streamlined review under section #cfcc7;c71 the ,postal ,service shall cause the agreement to be filed with the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission by a date that is on or before the effective date of any new rate established under the agreement1 as the ,postal ,service considers appropriate4 4 7#c7 ,transparency and accountability for service agreements 7,a7 ,certain information required to be included in determinations of compliance ,section #cfec of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7i7 by redesignating subsections 7c71 7d71 and 7e7 as subsections 7d71 7e71 and 7f71 respectively2 and 7ii7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,written determination ,each annual written determination of the ,commission under this section shall include the following3 7#a7 ,requirements ,for each group of functionally equivalent agreements between the ,postal ,service and users of the mail1 whether such group fulfilled requirements to-- 7,a7 cover costs attributable2 and 7,b7 improve the net financial position of the ,postal ,service4 7#b7 ,noncompliance ,any group of functionally equivalent agreements not meeting the requirements under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be determined to be in noncompliance under this subsection4 7#c7 ,definition ,for purposes of this subsection1 a group of functionally equivalent agreements shall consist of #a or more service agreements that are functionally equivalent to each other within the same market-dominant or competitive product1 but shall not include agreements within an experimental product4 4 7,b7 ,technical amendment ,section #cfec7;d7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code 7as redesignated by subparagraph 7,a771 is amended by striking subsections 7c7 and 7e7 and inserting subsections 7c7 and 7d74 #bjc4 ,nonpostal services 7a7 ,nonpostal services 7#a7 ,in general ,part ,,iv of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after chapter #cf the following3 #cg ,nonpostal ,services ,sec4 #cgja4 ,purpose4 #cgjb4 ,definitions4 #cgjc4 ,postal ,service program for ,state governments4 #cgjd4 ,postal ,service program for other ,government agencies4 #cgje4 ,transparency and accountability for nonpostal services4 #cgja4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this chapter is to enable the ,postal ,service to increase its net revenues through specific nonpostal products and services that are expressly authorized by this chapter4 ,postal ,service revenues and expenses under this chapter shall be funded through the ,postal ,service ,fund4 #cgjb4 ,definitions ,in this chapter-- 7#a7 the term attributable costs has the meaning given the term costs attributable in section #cfca2 7#b7 the term nonpostal service means a service offered by the ,postal ,service that-- 7,a7 is expressly authorized under this chapter2 and 7,b7 is not a postal product or service2 and 7#c7 the term year means a fiscal year4 #cgjc4 ,postal ,service program for ,state governments 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of this title1 the ,postal ,service may establish a program to enter into agreements with an agency of any ,state government1 local government1 or tribal government to provide property and services on behalf of such agencies for non-commercial products and services 7referred to in this section as the program71 but only if such property and services-- 7#a7 provide enhanced value to the public1 such as by lowering the cost or raising the quality of such services or by making such services more accessible2 7#b7 do not interfere with or detract from the value of postal services1 including-- 7,a7 the cost and efficiency of postal services2 and 7,b7 unreasonably restricting access to postal retail service1 such as customer waiting time and access to parking2 and 7#c7 provide a reasonable contribution to the institutional costs of the ,postal ,service1 defined as reimbursement that covers at least #ajj percent of attributable costs of all property and services provided under each relevant agreement in each year4 7b7 ,public notice ,at least #ij days before offering a service under the program1 the ,postal ,service shall make available to the public on its website-- 7#a7 the agreement with the agency regarding such service2 and 7#b7 a business plan that describes the specific service to be provided1 the enhanced value to the public1 terms of reimbursement1 the estimated annual reimbursement to the ,postal ,service1 and the estimated percentage of attributable ,postal ,service costs that will be covered by reimbursement 7with documentation to support the estimates74 7c7 ,public comment ,before offering a service under the program1 the ,postal ,service shall provide for a public comment period of at least #cj days that allows the public to post comments relating to the provision of such services on the ,postal ,service website4 ,the ,postal ,service shall make reasonable efforts to provide written responses to the comments on such website at least #cj days before offering such services4 7d7 ,approval required ,the ,postal ,service may not establish the program unless a majority of the ,governors in office vote to approve the program by a recorded vote that is publicly disclosed on the ,postal ,service website4 7e7 ,application of reporting requirements ,for purposes of the reporting requirements under section #cgje1 the ,postal ,service shall submit a separate report for each agreement with an agency entered into under subsection 7a7 of this section analyzing the costs1 revenues1 rates1 and quality of service for the provision of all services under such agreement1 including information demonstrating that the agreement satisfies the requirements of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of such subsection 7a74 7f7 ,regulations required ,the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section4 7g7 ,definitions ,for the purpose of this section-- 7#a7 the term local government means a county1 municipality1 city1 town1 township1 local public authority1 school district1 special district1 intrastate district1 council of governments1 or regional or interstate government entity2 7#b7 the term ,state government includes the government of the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states2 7#c7 the term tribal government means the government of an ,indian tribe1 as that term is defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd72 and 7#d7 the term ,united ,states1 when used in a geographical sense1 means the ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states4 7h7 ,confidential information ,subsection 7b7 or 7c7 shall not be construed as requiring the ,postal ,service to disclose to the public any information-- 7#a7 described in section #daj7;c72 or 7#b7 exempt from public disclosure under section #eeb7;b7 of title #e4 #cgjd4 ,postal ,service program for other ,government agencies 7a7 ,in general ,the ,postal ,service may establish a program to provide property and services to other ,government agencies within the meaning of section #daa1 but only if the program provides a reasonable contribution to the institutional costs of the ,postal ,service1 defined as reimbursement by each agency that covers at least #ajj percent of the attributable costs of all property and service provided by the ,postal ,service in each year to such agency4 7b7 ,application of reporting requirements ,for purposes of the reporting requirements under section #cgje1 the ,postal ,service shall submit a separate report for each agreement with an agency entered into under subsection 7a7 of this section analyzing the costs1 revenues1 rates1 and quality of service for the provision of all services under such agreement1 including information demonstrating that the agreement satisfies the requirements of such subsection 7a74 #cgje4 ,transparency and accountability for nonpostal services 7a7 ,annual report to the ,commission 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the last day of each year1 the ,postal ,service shall submit to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission a report that analyzes costs1 revenues1 rates1 and quality of service for each agreement for the provision of property and services under this chapter1 using such methodologies as the ,commission may prescribe1 and in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this chapter4 7#b7 ,supporting matter ,a report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include any nonpublic annex1 the working papers1 and any other supporting matter of the ,postal ,service and the ,inspector ,general related to the information submitted in such report4 7b7 ,content and form of report 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall1 by regulation1 prescribe the content and form of the report required under subsection 7a74 ,in prescribing such regulations1 the ,commission shall give due consideration to-- 7,a7 providing the public with timely1 adequate information to assess compliance2 7,b7 avoiding unnecessary or unwarranted administrative effort and expense on the part of the ,postal ,service2 and 7,c7 protecting the confidentiality of information that is commercially sensitive or is exempt from public disclosure under section #eeb7;b7 of title #e4 7#b7 ,revised requirements ,the ,commission may1 on its own motion or on request of any interested party1 initiate proceedings to improve the quality1 accuracy1 or completeness of ,postal ,service data required by the ,commission if-- 7,a7 the attribution of costs or revenues to property or services under this chapter has become significantly inaccurate or can be significantly improved2 7,b7 the quality of service data provided to the ,commission for a report under this chapter has become significantly inaccurate or can be significantly improved2 or 7,c7 such revisions are1 in the judgment of the ,commission1 otherwise necessitated by the public interest4 7c7 ,audits ,the ,inspector ,general shall regularly audit the data collection systems and procedures used in collecting information and preparing the report required under subsection 7a74 ,the results of any such audit shall be submitted to the ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7d7 ,confidential information 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,postal ,service determines that any document or portion of a document1 or other matter1 which it provides to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission in a nonpublic annex under this section contains information that is described in section #daj7;c7 or exempt from public disclosure under section #eeb7;b7 of title #e1 the ,postal ,service shall1 at the time of providing such matter to the ,commission1 notify the ,commission of its determination1 in writing1 and describe with particularity the documents 7or portions of documents7 or other matter for which confidentiality is sought and the reasons therefor4 7#b7 ,treatment ,any information or other matter described in paragraph 7#a7 to which the ,commission gains access under this section shall be subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #ejd7;g7 in the same manner as if the ,commission had received notification with respect to such matter under section #ejd7;g77#a74 7e7 ,annual compliance determination 7#a7 ,opportunity for public comment ,upon receiving a report required under subsection 7a71 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall promptly-- 7,a7 provide an opportunity for comment on such report by any interested party2 and 7,b7 appoint an officer of the ,commission to represent the interests of the general public4 7#b7 ,determination of compliance or noncompliance ,not later than #ij days after receiving a report required under subsection 7a71 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall make a written determination as to whether the nonpostal activities carried out during the applicable year were or were not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter4 ,for purposes of this paragraph1 any case in which the requirements for coverage of attributable costs have not been met shall be considered to be a case of noncompliance4 ,if1 with respect to a year1 no instance of noncompliance is found to have occurred1 the determination shall be to that effect4 ,such determination of noncompliance shall be included with the annual compliance determination required under section #cfec4 7#c7 ,noncompliance ,if a timely written determination of noncompliance is made under paragraph 7#b71 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall take appropriate action4 ,if the requirements for coverage of attributable costs specified by this chapter are not met1 the ,commission shall1 within #fj days after the determination1 prescribe remedial action to restore compliance as soon as practicable1 including the full restoration of revenue shortfalls during the following year4 ,the ,commission may order the ,postal ,service to discontinue a nonpostal service under section #cgjc that persistently fails to meet cost coverage requirements4 7#d7 ,deliberate noncompliance ,in the case of deliberate noncompliance by the ,postal ,service with the requirements of this chapter1 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission may order1 based on the nature1 circumstances1 extent1 and seriousness of the noncompliance1 a fine 7in the amount specified by the ,commission in its order7 for each incidence of such noncompliance4 ,all receipts from fines imposed under this subsection shall be deposited in the general fund of the ,treasury4 7f7 ,regulations required ,the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section4 4 7#b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of chapters for part ,,iv of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter #cf the following3 #cg4,nonpostal services#cgja 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,section #djd ,section #djd7;e7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting after subsection the following3 1 or any nonpostal products or services authorized by chapter #cg2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,licensing which1 before the date of enactment of this paragraph1 has been authorized by the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission for continuation as a nonpostal service may not be used for any purpose other than-- 7,a7 to continue to provide licensed mailing1 shipping1 or stationery supplies offered as of ,june #bc1 #bjaa2 or 7,b7 to license other goods1 products1 or services1 the primary purpose of which is to promote and enhance the image or brand of the ,postal ,service4 7#g7 ,nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the ,postal ,service from establishing nonpostal products and services that are expressly authorized by chapter #cg4 4 7#b7 ,section #daa ,the last sentence of section #daa of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking including reimbursability and inserting including reimbursability within the limitations of chapter #cg4 7#c7 ,treatment of existing nonpostal services ,all individual nonpostal services1 provided directly or through licensing1 that are continued pursuant to section #djd7;e7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall be considered to be expressly authorized by chapter #cg of such title 7as added by subsection 7a77#a77 and shall be subject to the requirements of such chapter4 #bjd4 ,shipping of wine1 beer1 and distilled spirits 7a7 ,mailability 7#a7 ,nonmailable articles ,section #agaf7;f7 of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking mails and inserting mails1 except to the extent that the mailing is allowable under section #cjja7p7 of title #ci4 7#b7 ,application of laws ,section #aafa of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting 1 and1 with respect to the mailing of distilled spirits1 wine1 or malt beverages 7as those terms are defined in section #aag of the ,federal ,alcohol ,administration ,act 7#bg ,u4,s4,c4 #baa771 is in conformity with section #cjja7p7 of title #ci after ,register4 7b7 ,regulations ,section #cjja of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7p7 7#a7 ,in this subsection1 the terms distilled spirits1 wine1 and malt beverage have the same meanings as in section #aag of the ,federal ,alcohol ,administration ,act 7#bg ,u4,s4,c4 #baa74 7#b7 ,distilled spirits1 wine1 or malt beverages shall be considered mailable if mailed-- 7,a7 in accordance with the laws and regulations of-- 7i7 the ,state1 territory1 or district of the ,united ,states where the sender or duly authorized agent initiates the mailing2 and 7ii7 the ,state1 territory1 or district of the ,united ,states where the addressee or duly authorized agent takes delivery2 and 7,b7 to an addressee who is at least #ba years of age-- 7i7 who provides a signature and presents a valid1 government-issued photo identification upon delivery2 or 7ii7 the duly authorized agent of whom-- 7,i7 is at least #ba years of age2 and 7,,ii7 provides a signature and presents a valid1 government-issued photo identification upon delivery4 7#c7 ,the ,postal ,service shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the earlier of-- 7#a7 the date on which the ,postal ,service issues regulations under section #cjja7p7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this section2 and 7#b7 the date that is #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7d7 ,no preemption of ,state1 local1 or tribal laws prohibiting deliveries1 shipments1 or sales ,nothing in this section1 the amendments made by this section1 or any regulation promulgated under this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to preempt1 supersede1 or otherwise limit or restrict any ,state1 local1 or tribal law that prohibits or regulates the delivery1 shipment1 or sale of distilled spirits1 wine1 or malt beverages 7as those terms are defined in section #aag of the ,federal ,alcohol ,administration ,act 7#bg ,u4,s4,c4 #baa774 #bje4 ,efficient and flexible universal postal service 7a7 ,conditions regarding determinations for post office closings ,clause 7i7 of section #djd7;d77#b77;,a7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 7i7 the effect of such closing or consolidation on the community served by such post office1 including through an analysis of-- 7,i7 the distance 7as measured by public roads7 to the closest postal retail facility not proposed for closing or consolidation under the determination2 7,,ii7 the characteristics of such location1 including weather and terrain2 7,,iii7 whether commercial mobile service 7as defined in section #ccb of the ,communications ,act of #aicd7 and commercial mobile data service 7as defined in section #fjja of the ,middle ,class ,tax ,relief and ,job ,creation ,act of #bjab7 are available in at least #hj percent of the total geographic area of the ,,zip codes served by the postal retail facility proposed for closing or consolidation2 and 7,,iv7 whether fixed broadband ,internet access service is available to households in at least #hj percent of such geographic area at speeds not less than those sufficient for service to be considered broadband for purposes of the most recent report of the ,federal ,communications ,commission under section #gjf of the ,telecommunications ,act of #aiif 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #acjb72 4 7b7 ,,prc review of determinations to close or consolidate a post office 7#a7 ,deadline for review ,section #djd7;d77#e7 title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking #abj days and inserting #fj days1 or a longer period for good cause shown but in no event longer than #abj days14 7#b7 ,applicability ,the amendment made by paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply with respect to an appeal received by the ,commission before the date of enactment of this ,act 7as determined by applying the rules set forth in section #djd7;d77#f7 of such title74 7c7 ,expedited procedures 7#a7 ,in general ,section #cffa of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 7#a7 ,the ,commission shall issue its opinion within #ij days1 or a longer period for good cause shown but in no event longer than #abj days1 after the receipt of any proposal 7as referred to in subsection 7b77 concerning an identical or substantially identical proposal on which the ,commission has issued an opinion within the preceding #e years4 7#b7 ,if necessary in order to comply with the #ij-;day requirement under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission may apply expedited procedures which the ,commission shall by regulation prescribe4 4 7#b7 ,regulations ,the ,commission shall prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out the amendment made by paragraph 7#a7 within #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,applicability ,the amendment made by this subsection shall apply with respect to any proposal received by the ,commission on or after the earlier of-- 7,a7 the date that is #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act2 or 7,b7 the effective date of the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#b74 7d7 ,alternate postal access choice ,section #djd7;d7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,prior to making a determination under subsection 7a77#c7 as to the necessity for the closing or consolidation of a post office-- 7,a7 the ,postal ,service shall provide adequate notice of its intention to close or consolidate the post office not later than #fj days before the proposed date of the closing or consolidation to postal patrons served by the post office2 7,b7 the ,postal ,service shall conduct a nonbinding survey on the proposed closing or consolidation to allow postal patrons served by the post office an opportunity to indicate their preference between or among-- 7i7 the closing or consolidation2 and 7ii7 #a or more alternative options2 and 7,c7 if the ,postal ,service determines that closing or consolidating the post office is necessary-- 7i7 the ,postal ,service shall endeavor to provide alternative access to postal services to the postal patrons served by the post office by the option chosen by the highest number of survey respondents under subparagraph 7,b77ii72 and 7ii7 if the ,postal ,service is unable to provide alternative access through the option identified under clause 7i71 or if that option is cost prohibitive-- 7,i7 the ,postal ,service may provide alternative access through a different method2 and 7,,ii7 upon selecting an alternative access method other than the option identified under clause 7i71 the ,postal ,service shall provide written notice to the postal patrons served by the post office identifying the alternative access method and explaining why the option identified under clause 7i7 was not possible or was cost prohibitive4 4 7e7 ,applicability of procedures relating to closings and consolidations 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djd7;d7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this section1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term post office means a post office and any other postal retail facility1 as defined in section #c of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah4 4 7#b7 ,effective date ,in the case of any post office1 as defined in subsection 7d7 of section #djd of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by paragraph 7#a71 that1 but for that amendment1 would not otherwise be subject to such subsection 7d71 the amendments made by subsections 7a7 and 7d7 of this section shall be effective with respect to any closure or consolidation1 the proposed effective date of which occurs on or after the date that is #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7f7 ,enhanced reporting on ,postal ,service efficiency ,section #cfeb7;a7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following3 7#c7 which shall provide the overall change in ,postal ,service productivity and the resulting effect of such change on overall ,postal ,service costs during such year1 using such methodologies as the ,commission shall by regulation prescribe1 if necessary4 4 7g7 ,p,o,s,t,plan study 7#a7 ,in general ,beginning not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,service shall conduct a #a-year review of the impacts of the ,p,o,s,t,plan post office restructuring plan on ,postal ,service expenses1 revenue1 and retail service provision4 7#b7 ,content ,in conducting the review under paragraph 7#a71 the ,inspector ,general shall examine-- 7,a7 changes in the costs for the provision of ,postal ,service operated retail service1 both nationwide and in the aggregate for each of the ,level #b1 ,level #d1 ,level #f1 and ,level #ah post offices for which the hours1 functions1 or responsibilities changed as a result of the ,p,o,s,t,plan initiative before and after the implementation of the ,p,o,s,t,plan initiative2 7,b7 changes in revenue received by ,postal ,service operated retail service1 both nationwide and in the aggregate for each of the ,level #b1 ,level #d1 ,level #f1 and ,level #ah post offices for which the hours1 functions1 or responsibilities changed as a result of the ,p,o,s,t,plan initiative before and after the implementation of the ,p,o,s,t,plan initiative2 7,c7 a determination of the relative cost savings1 taking into account any changes in revenue earned1 realized on an annual basis for ,level #b1 ,level #d1 ,level #f1 and ,level #ah offices each in the aggregate and any trends in such cost savings2 7,d7 the relative impact on retail access to postal services for individuals served by ,level #b1 ,level #d1 ,level #f1 and ,level #ah offices each in the aggregate2 and 7,e7 any other factors the ,inspector ,general determines appropriate4 7#c7 ,report and recommendations ,upon completion of the review required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,inspector ,general shall submit to the ,postal ,service1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives a report containing-- 7,a7 the results of the review2 and 7,b7 any recommendations resulting from such review4 7#d7 ,postal ,service review ,prior to any hour changes or consolidation decisions related to ,p,o,s,t,plan initiative-impacted post offices1 the ,postal ,service shall-- 7,a7 review the report and any recommendations submitted pursuant to paragraph 7#c72 and 7,b7 revise any planned efforts regarding the ,p,o,s,t,plan initiative1 as appropriate4 #bjf4 ,fair stamp-evidencing competition ,section #djd;a7a7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking or at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 offer to the public any postage-evidencing product or service that does not comply with any rule or regulation that would be applicable to such product or service if the product or service were offered by a private company4 4 #bjg4 ,market-dominant rates 7a7 ,establishment of rate baseline ,notwithstanding any order of the ,commission to the contrary-- 7#a7 not earlier than the first ,sunday after the date of enactment of this ,act1 on a date selected by the ,postmaster ,general in the exercise of the ,postmaster ,general's unreviewable discretion1 the ,postal ,service shall reinstate1 as nearly as is practicable1 #ej percent of the rate surcharge implemented under section #cfbb7;d77#a77;,f7 7as redesignated by this ,act7 that was in effect on ,april #i1 #bjaf2 and 7#b7 the partially reinstated surcharge reinstated pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall be considered a part of the rate base for purposes of determining the percentage changes in rates when the ,postal ,service files a notice of rate adjustment4 7b7 ,subsequent rate increases ,the reinstatement described under subsection 7a77#a7 may not affect the calculation of the ,postal ,service's maximum rate adjustment authority under subpart ,c of part #cjaj of title #ci1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation71 for purposes of any rate increase that occurs following such reinstatement4 7c7 ,commission review of system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term initial rate regulation review means the proceeding conducted under the order of the ,commission entitled1 ,statutory ,review of the ,system for ,regulating ,market ,dominant ,rates and ,classifications 7#ha ,fed4 ,reg4 #iejg 7,december #bj1 #bjaf772 and 7,b7 the term underwater product means a market-dominant class1 product1 or type of mail service that does not bear the direct and indirect costs attributable to that class1 product1 or type of mail service under current costing procedures4 7#b7 ,underwater products study ,not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission1 without delaying completion of the initial rate regulation review1 shall begin a study1 in conjunction with the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,service and including notice and opportunity for public comment1 to-- 7,a7 determine whether and to what extent any market-dominant classes1 products1 or types of mail service are underwater products2 7,b7 quantify the impact of any operational decisions of the ,postal ,service on the direct and indirect costs attributable to any underwater products identified under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,c7 determine whether any operational decisions of the ,postal ,service have caused any direct or indirect costs to be inappropriately attributed to any underwater product identified under subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,additional considerations 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#d71 the ,commission shall supplement and modify1 as appropriate1 the record of proceedings in the initial rate regulation review1 taking into account the provisions of this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act1 before making a determination to-- 7i7 modify the system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products established under section #cfbb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7ii7 adopt an alternative system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products4 7,b7 ,minimum considerations ,in supplementing or modifying the record under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 the ,commission shall1 at a minimum1 recalculate the projected liabilities of the ,postal ,service by reason of the requirements under section #hijc;c7e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by section #aja7;a77#a7 of this ,act7 7requiring ,medicare-eligible postal annuitants enrolled in the ,postal ,service ,health ,benefits ,program to also enroll in ,medicare72 and 7ii7 if the ,commission determines that other provisions of this ,act or the amendments made by this ,act reduce liabilities or increase revenues of the ,postal ,service1 the ,commission shall incorporate those changes into the calculations of the ,commission4 7,c7 ,consideration of underwater products study ,after completing any supplementation and modification of the record under subparagraph 7,a7 of this paragraph and quantifying the impact of operational decisions under paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the ,commission shall-- 7i7 take into account the impact quantified under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 and modify1 if appropriate1 the record under subparagraph 7,a7 of this paragraph2 7ii7 incorporate the findings of the study under paragraph 7#b7 into any subsequent adjustment to rates for underwater products identified under subparagraph 7,a7 of that paragraph2 and 7iii7 7,i7 account for the cultural and informational value that underwater products identified under paragraph 7#b77;,a7 have to the mail2 and 7,,ii7 recognize that-- 7aa7 the services provided by the ,postal ,service have changed over time2 and 7bb7 the timely delivery of the underwater products identified under paragraph 7#b77;,a7 impacts the overall value of those products4 7#d7 ,subsequent review required if initial review completed before enactment ,if1 on or before the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission completes the initial rate regulation review1 the ,commission-- 7,a7 shall determine whether to-- 7i7 further modify the system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products established under section #cfbb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7ii7 adopt an alternative system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products2 and 7,b7 in making the determination under subparagraph 7,a71 shall-- 7i7 take into account the provisions of this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act2 7ii7 comply with the requirements under clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 of paragraph 7#c77;,b72 and 7iii7 take into account1 and incorporate into any adjustment to rates for underwater products identified under subparagraph 7,a7 of paragraph 7#b71 the impact quantified under subparagraph 7,b7 of that paragraph4 7#e7 ,application of new rates to underwater products 7,a7 ,in general ,if the ,commission modifies the system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products established under section #cfbb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 or adopts an alternative system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products1 the ,commission-- 7i7 may not apply any new rates under the modified or alternative system to underwater products until the ,commission has-- 7,i7 completed the study under paragraph 7#b72 and 7,,ii7 complied with subparagraph 7,c7 of paragraph 7#c72 and 7ii7 in order to offer as many underwater products as possible for as long as possible1 shall establish a process to gradually phase in the application of any new rates to underwater products4 7,b7 ,retroactive applicability ,if1 before the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission modifies the system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products established under section #cfbb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 or adopts an alternative system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products1 the ,commission-- 7i7 shall1 effective #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 apply the rates for underwater products that were in effect on the day before the date on which the modified or alternative system took effect2 and 7ii7 before applying the rates under the modified or alternative system to underwater products1 shall comply with subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the requirement under subsection 7a7 relating to reinstatement of the rate surcharge that was in effect on ,april #i1 #bjaf1 including with respect to underwater products4 7d7 ,postal ,regulatory ,commission authority not affected ,nothing in this section 7other than subsection 7c77 shall be construed as affecting the authority of the ,commission to1 by regulation1 make such modification or adopt such alternative system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products as provided under section #cfbb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code4 #bjh4 ,review of ,postal ,service cost attribution guidelines ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjai1 the ,commission shall initiate a review of the regulations issued pursuant to sections #cfcc7;a7 and #cfeb7;a77#a7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 to determine whether revisions are appropriate to ensure that all direct and indirect costs attributable to competitive and market-dominant products are properly attributed to those products1 including by considering the underlying methodologies in determining cost attribution and considering options to revise such methodologies4 ,if the ,commission determines1 after notice and opportunity for public comment1 that revisions are appropriate1 the ,commission shall make modifications or adopt alternative methodologies as necessary4 #bji4 ,aviation security for parcels ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,service shall transmit to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate the results of a review of the security measures in place for parcels carried on air carriers to domestic and international destinations for which audit trails are generated4 ,the review required under this subsection shall assess1 at a minimum-- 7#a7 the effectiveness of the audit trail created by postage evidencing systems that have been validated under the ,federal ,information ,processing ,standards in accurately and consistently identifying the senders of parcels carried on air carriers2 7#b7 the effectiveness of the ,postal ,service's in-person identity verification procedures in accurately and consistently identifying the senders of parcels carried on air carriers2 and 7#c7 the effectiveness of the audit trail generated by customs declarations in accurately and consistently identifying the senders of parcels carried on air carriers to international destinations4 #baj4 ,long-term solvency plan2 annual financial plan and budget 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term ,board of ,governors means the ,board of ,governors of the ,postal ,service2 7#b7 the term long-term solvency plan means the plan required to be submitted by the ,postmaster ,general under subsection 7b77#a72 and 7#c7 the term solvency means the ability of the ,postal ,service to pay debts and meet expenses1 including the ability to perform maintenance and repairs1 make investments1 and maintain financial reserves1 as necessary to fulfill the requirements under1 and comply with the policies of1 title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 and other obligations of the ,postal ,service4 7b7 ,plan for the long-,term solvency of the ,postal ,service 7#a7 ,solvency plan required 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than the date described in subparagraph 7,b71 the ,postmaster ,general shall submit to the ,board of ,governors a plan describing the actions the ,postal ,service intends to take to achieve long-term solvency4 7,b7 ,date ,the date described in this subparagraph is the later of-- 7i7 the date that is #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7ii7 the earliest date as of which the ,board of ,governors has the number of members required for a quorum4 7#b7 ,considerations ,the long-term solvency plan shall take into account-- 7,a7 the legal authority of the ,postal ,service2 7,b7 changes in the legal authority and responsibilities of the ,postal ,service under this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act2 7,c7 projected changes in mail volume2 7,d7 the impact of any regulations that the ,postal ,service is required to promulgate under ,federal law2 7,e7 projected changes in the number of employees needed to carry out the responsibilities of the ,postal ,service2 7,f7 the long-term capital needs of the ,postal ,service1 including the need to maintain1 repair1 and replace facilities and equipment2 and 7,g7 the distinctions between market-dominant and competitive products4 7#c7 ,review and submission to ,congress and ,commission 7,a7 ,review ,upon receipt of the long-term solvency plan1 the ,board of ,governors shall review the long-term solvency plan and may request that the ,postmaster ,general make changes to the long-term solvency plan4 7,b7 ,submission to ,congress and ,commission ,not later than #fj days after initial receipt of the long-term solvency plan1 the ,board of ,governors shall provide a copy of the long-term solvency plan1 together with a letter indicating whether and in what respects the ,board of ,governors agrees or disagrees with the measures set out in the long-term solvency plan1 to-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate2 7ii7 the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7iii7 the ,commission4 7#d7 ,updates 7,a7 ,annual updates required ,the ,postmaster ,general shall update and submit to the ,board of ,governors the long-term solvency plan not less frequently than annually for #e years after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7,b7 ,review by ,board of ,governors ,the ,board of ,governors shall review and submit to ,congress and the ,commission the updates under this paragraph in accordance with paragraph 7#c74 7c7 ,annual financial plan and budget 7#a7 ,in general ,for each of the first #e full fiscal years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 not later than ,august #a of the preceding fiscal year1 the ,postmaster ,general shall submit to the ,board of ,governors a financial plan and budget for the fiscal year that is consistent with the goal of achieving the long-term solvency of the ,postal ,service4 7#b7 ,contents of financial plan and budget ,the financial plan and budget for a fiscal year shall-- 7,a7 promote the financial stability of the ,postal ,service and provide for progress towards the long-term solvency of the ,postal ,service2 7,b7 include the annual budget program of the ,postal ,service under section #bjji of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 and the plan of the ,postal ,service commonly referred to as the ,integrated ,financial ,plan2 7,c7 describe lump-sum expenditures by all categories traditionally used by the ,postal ,service2 7,d7 describe capital expenditures1 together with a schedule of projected capital commitments and cash outlays of the ,postal ,service1 and proposed sources of funding2 7,e7 contain estimates of overall debt 7both outstanding and expected to be incurred72 7,f7 contain cash flow and liquidity forecasts for the ,postal ,service at such intervals as the ,board of ,governors may require2 7,g7 include a statement describing methods of estimations and significant assumptions2 7,h7 distinguish between market-dominant and competitive products1 as practicable2 and 7,i7 address any other issues that the ,board of ,governors considers appropriate4 7#c7 ,process for submission and approval of financial plan and budget 7,a7 ,definition ,in this paragraph1 the term covered recipient means-- 7i7 the ,postmaster ,general2 7ii7 the ,president2 7iii7 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 7iv7 the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,b7 ,review by the ,board of ,governors 7i7 ,in general ,upon receipt of a financial plan and budget under paragraph 7#a71 the ,board of ,governors shall promptly review the financial plan and budget4 7ii7 ,additional information ,in conducting the review under this subparagraph1 the ,board of ,governors may request any additional information it considers necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties of the ,board of ,governors4 7,c7 ,approval of financial plan and budget submitted by the ,postmaster ,general ,if the ,board of ,governors determines that the financial plan and budget for a fiscal year received under paragraph 7#a7 meets the requirements under paragraph 7#b7 and otherwise adequately addresses the financial situation of the ,postal ,service-- 7i7 the ,board of ,governors shall approve the financial plan and budget and submit a notice of approval to each covered recipient2 and 7ii7 the ,postmaster ,general shall submit the annual budget program for the relevant fiscal year to the ,office of ,management and ,budget in accordance with section #bjji of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,d7 ,disapproval of financial plan and budget submitted by the ,postmaster ,general 7i7 ,in general ,if the ,board of ,governors determines that the financial plan and budget for a fiscal year under paragraph 7#a7 does not meet the requirements under paragraph 7#b7 or is otherwise inadequate in addressing the financial situation of the ,postal ,service1 the ,board of ,governors shall-- 7,i7 disapprove the financial plan and budget2 7,,ii7 submit to each covered recipient a statement that describes the reasons for the disapproval2 7,,iii7 direct the ,postmaster ,general to appropriately revise the financial plan and budget for the ,postal ,service2 and 7,,iv7 submit the revised financial plan and budget to each covered recipient4 7ii7 ,submission to ,office of ,management and ,budget ,upon receipt of a revised financial plan and budget under clause 7i77,,iv71 the ,postmaster ,general shall submit the annual budget program for the relevant fiscal year to the ,office of ,management and ,budget in accordance with section #bjji of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,e7 ,deadline for transmission of financial plan and budget by ,board of ,governors ,notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph1 not later than ,september #cj of the fiscal year that precedes each fiscal year for which a financial plan and budget is required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,board of ,governors shall submit to each covered recipient-- 7i7 a notice of approval under subparagraph 7,c77i72 or 7ii7 an approved financial plan and budget for the fiscal year under subparagraph 7,d77i77,,iv74 7,f7 ,revisions to financial plan and budget 7i7 ,permitting ,postmaster ,general to submit revisions ,the ,postmaster ,general may submit proposed revisions to the financial plan and budget for a fiscal year to the ,board of ,governors at any time during that fiscal year4 7ii7 ,process for review1 approval1 disapproval1 and ,postmaster ,general action ,the procedures described in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e7 shall apply with respect to a proposed revision to a financial plan and budget in the same manner as such procedures apply with respect to the original financial plan and budget4 7d7 ,assumptions based on current law ,in preparing the long-term solvency plan or an annual financial plan and budget required under this section1 the ,postal ,service shall base estimates of revenues and expenditures on ,federal law as in effect at the time of the preparation of the long-term solvency plan or the financial plan and budget4 7e7 ,third-,party analysis of ,postal ,service finances ,the ,commission shall enter into a contract with #a or more independent third parties under which the third party or parties1 in not less than #b years1 shall-- 7#a7 complete a study that analyzes-- 7,a7 the finances of the ,postal ,service2 7,b7 the finances of1 and business trends in1 the overall mailing industry2 7,c7 the demand for market-dominant and competitive products and services in rural1 urban1 and suburban communities2 and 7,d7 revenue changes and cost savings of the ,postal ,service attributable to recent-- 7i7 closings and consolidations of processing plants1 post offices1 and other facilities2 7ii7 changes to service standards2 and 7iii7 service performance2 and 7#b7 submit to the ,commission a report on the study conducted under paragraph 7#a7 that includes recommendations on affordable options and timetables for improving postal operations and services1 including-- 7,a7 how rural service measurement can be made more accurate to ensure that the ,postal ,service comprehensively measures the mail service provided to each region of the ,united ,states1 regardless of population size and geographic location2 7,b7 the feasibility of restoring overnight service standards for market-dominant products similar to the service standards that were in effect on ,july #a1 #bjab1 including an examination of the resources needed1 structural and operational changes needed1 and market demand for such a change2 and 7,c7 recommended definitions for the terms rural and urban for purposes of measuring the performance of the ,postal ,service relative to service standards under section #cfia of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #baj of this ,act4 #baa4 ,service standards1 performance targets1 and performance measurements 7a7 ,service standards1 performance targets1 and performance measurements 7#a7 ,in general ,section #cfia of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #cfia4 ,modern service standards1 performance targets1 and performance measurements 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the terms ,area and ,district mean the administrative field units established and given those designations by the ,postal ,service2 7#b7 the term ,commission means the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission2 7#c7 the term performance targets means the targets established by the ,postal ,service under subsection 7e77#a77;,a72 7#d7 the terms rural and urban have the meanings given those terms under regulations promulgated by the ,commission under subsection 7e77#b77;,a72 and 7#e7 the term service standards means the service standards established by the ,postal ,service under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,authority generally 7#a7 ,establishment2 revision ,the ,postal ,service shall by regulation establish 7and may from time to time thereafter by regulation revise7 a set of service standards for market-dominant products based on-- 7,a7 the finances of the ,postal ,service2 7,b7 the ability of the ,postal ,service to meet the service standards2 and 7,c7 the ability of ,postal ,service customers to receive fair and reliable service4 7#b7 ,notice to congress ,on the date on which the ,postal ,service requests an advisory opinion under section #cffa with respect to any regulation promulgated or revised under paragraph 7#a71 the ,postal ,service shall notify ,congress of the request and the proposed regulation or revision of a regulation4 7c7 ,objectives ,the service standards shall be designed to achieve the following objectives3 7#a7 ,to ensure that the ,postal ,service meets the universal service obligation1 including the obligation to preserve regular and effective access to postal services in all communities1 including those in rural areas or where post offices are not self-sustaining4 7#b7 ,to enhance the value of postal services to both senders and recipients4 7#c7 ,to assure ,postal ,service customers delivery reliability1 speed1 and frequency consistent with reasonable rates and best business practices4 7#d7 ,to provide a system of objective performance measurements for each market-dominant product as a basis for measurement of ,postal ,service performance1 in accordance with subsection 7e74 7d7 ,factors ,in establishing or revising the service standards1 the ,postal ,service shall take into account-- 7#a7 the actual level of service that ,postal ,service customers receive under any service guidelines previously established by the ,postal ,service or service standards established under this section2 7#b7 the degree of customer satisfaction with ,postal ,service performance in the acceptance1 processing1 and delivery of mail2 7#c7 the needs of all ,postal ,service customers2 7#d7 mail volume and revenues projected for future years2 7#e7 the projected growth in the number of addresses the ,postal ,service will be required to serve in future years2 7#f7 the current and projected future cost of serving ,postal ,service customers2 7#g7 the effect of changes in technology1 demographics1 and population distribution on the efficient and reliable operation of the postal delivery system2 7#h7 the financial status of the ,postal ,service1 including the status of any accrued unfunded liabilities or obligations2 7#i7 ensuring that the performance of the ,postal ,service is as strong as reasonably possible under the applicable circumstances1 including the factors described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#h72 and 7#aj7 the policies of this title and such other factors as the ,postal ,service determines appropriate4 7e7 ,performance targets1 measurements1 and publication 7#a7 ,performance targets 7,a7 ,establishment ,each year1 the ,postal ,service shall establish reasonable targets for performance to ensure that mail service for postal customers meets the service standards for market-dominant products4 7,b7 ,compliance determination ,for purposes of section #cfec7;b77#b71 the ,commission shall evaluate the compliance of the ,postal ,service with the service standards for market-dominant products by reference to the performance targets4 7#b7 ,performance measurement 7,a7 ,definitions of urban and rural ,for purposes of measuring performance under the performance targets1 the ,commission1 in consultation with the ,postal ,service-- 7i7 shall promulgate regulations defining the terms-- 7,i7 rural2 and 7,,ii7 urban1 which shall be defined by the ,commission as any geographic area that is not defined as rural under subclause 7,i72 and 7ii7 in defining the terms under clause 7i71 shall consider-- 7,i7 the recommendations of the report submitted to the ,commission under section #baj7;e7 of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah2 7,,ii7 existing definitions of those terms that are in use by the ,postal ,service1 the ,federal ,government1 and other sources2 and 7,,iii7 stakeholder input4 7,b7 ,performance reporting 7i7 ,in general ,the ,postal ,service shall measure and report to the ,commission on the performance of the ,postal ,service with respect to market-dominant products on a nationwide1 ,area1 and ,district basis based on the performance targets1 taking into consideration the ,commission's opinion on any proposed target1 and in a manner that reflects separate consideration of performance with respect to-- 7,i7 rural customers2 and 7,,ii7 urban customers4 7ii7 ,commission review ,the ,commission shall review and comment upon the performance of the ,postal ,service as reported under clause 7i74 7#c7 ,publication 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the ,postal ,service shall publish on the website of the ,postal ,service the performance targets1 the actual measurements under those targets1 and the comments of the ,commission under paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 covering a period designated by the ,commission1 the length of which shall be not less than #b years2 and 7ii7 categorized in accordance with that paragraph4 7,b7 ,commercially sensitive or proprietary information ,to the extent that the ,postal ,service considers any information required to be reported under subparagraph 7,a7 to be commercially sensitive or proprietary in nature1 the ,commission shall determine the level of information that shall be publicly disclosed in accordance with section #ejd7;g77#c77;,a74 7f7 ,review upon complaint ,the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section 7and any revisions thereto71 and any violations thereof1 shall be subject to review upon complaint under sections #cffb and #cffc4 7g7 ,noncompliance with performance targets 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,postal ,service fails to meet #a or more performance targets-- 7,a7 subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the ,postal ,service shall develop a plan to make specific operational corrections under the control of the ,postal ,service that will cause the performance targets to be met as soon as is reasonably practicable1 as determined by the ,postal ,service2 and 7,b7 if the ,postal ,service makes best efforts to develop a plan described in subparagraph 7,a7 and determines that achieving compliance with the performance targets through such a plan would be impractical1 would not be cost effective1 and would not be in the best long-term interest of the ,postal ,service and its customers1 the ,postal ,service shall make adjustments to the service standards or performance targets4 7#b7 ,postal service submission of plan ,not later than #ahj days after the date of noncompliance with a performance target1 the ,postal ,service shall submit to the ,commission-- 7,a7 the plan required under paragraph 7#a77;,a72 or 7,b7 a report explaining why the ,postal ,service is making an adjustment described in paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7#c7 ,commission consideration of postal service plan 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,commission-- 7i7 shall review each plan or report submitted by the ,postal ,service under paragraph 7#b72 and 7ii7 may make such recommendations as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,postal service response ,if the ,commission provides recommendations regarding a plan or report to the ,postal ,service under subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the ,postal ,service shall-- 7i7 consider the recommendations2 and 7ii7 not later than #ij days after the date on which the ,postal ,service receives the recommendations1 submit a response to the ,commission explaining the bases for any decision to accept or reject a recommendation4 7#d7 ,postal service implementation of plan ,after developing a plan under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,postal ,service shall-- 7,a7 implement the plan2 and 7,b7 in each report provided under section #cfeb1 discuss-- 7i7 the implementation of the plan2 7ii7 the extent to which the ,postal ,service is improving performance to meet the performance targets2 and 7iii7 if the performance targets subject to the plan are still not being met1 whether-- 7,i7 the plan remains sufficient to achieve compliance within a reasonably practicable period of time1 and is therefore being maintained2 7,,ii7 the plan is being revised2 or 7,,iii7 the ,postal ,service has determined to make adjustments described in paragraph 7#a77;,b7 rather than continue with the plan4 7#e7 ,commission review of implementation 7,a7 ,in general ,in making the determination required under section #cfec1 the ,commission shall-- 7i7 review the implementation of each plan developed under paragraph 7#a77;,a72 and 7ii7 make such recommendations as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,consideration ,the ,postal ,service shall consider any recommendations under subparagraph 7,a77ii7 in the same manner as provided under paragraph 7#c74 7h7 ,periodic review of service standards ,the ,commission shall periodically-- 7#a7 review the appropriateness of the service standards2 and 7#b7 submit to ,congress and the ,postal ,service a report on the review conducted under paragraph 7#a74 4 7#b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #cf of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the item relating to section #cfia and inserting the following3 #cfia4 ,modern service standards1 performance targets1 and performance measurements4 4 7b7 ,review of nationwide service standard changes ,section #cffa of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #bje of this ,act1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,changes relating to market-dominant products 7#a7 ,inspector ,general review ,upon a request by the ,postal ,service for an advisory opinion from the ,commission under subsection 7b7 relating to a nationwide or substantially nationwide change in service standards for the delivery of market-dominant products1 including when the ,postal ,service establishes new performance targets under section #cfia7;e71 the ,inspector ,general shall1 not later than #ij days after the submission of the request-- 7,a7 conduct a review of the proposal to determine whether-- 7i7 the ,postal ,service formulated the proposal based on accurate data2 7ii7 the ,postal ,service followed appropriate policies and procedures of the ,postal ,service in formulating the proposal2 and 7iii7 the proposal prioritizes the needs of the postal customer2 and 7,b7 submit a report on the review conducted under subparagraph 7,a7 to-- 7i7 the ,postal ,service2 7ii7 the ,commission2 7iii7 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 7iv7 the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,commission review ,not earlier than #cj days after the date on which the ,inspector ,general submits a report on a proposal to the ,commission under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall issue its opinion on the proposal4 4 7c7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the report is submitted to the ,commission under section #baj7;e77#b7 of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to ,congress a report that includes-- 7#a7 a determination as to whether the service standards for market-dominant products in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act achieve the objectives and factors set forth under section #cfia of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this section2 and 7#b7 recommendations as to how delivery service to postal customers could be improved based on the financial condition of the ,postal ,service4 7d7 ,temporary floor for service standards ,the ,postal ,service may not revise the service standards for market-dominant products in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act in a manner that lengthens delivery times before the date on which the report is submitted to the ,commission under section #baj7;e77#b7 of this ,act4 #bab4 ,postal ,service ,chief ,innovation ,officer 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #b of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bji4 ,chief ,innovation ,officer 7a7 ,in general ,there is established within the ,postal ,service the position of ,chief ,innovation ,officer1 appointed by the ,postmaster ,general1 who shall manage the ,postal ,service's development and implementation of innovative postal and nonpostal products and services4 7b7 ,duties ,the primary duties of the ,chief ,innovation ,officer are as follows3 7#a7 ,leading the development of innovative nonpostal products and services that will maximize revenue to the ,postal ,service4 7#b7 ,developing innovative postal products and services1 specifically those that utilize emerging information technologies1 to maximize revenue to the ,postal ,service4 7#c7 ,implementing the innovation strategy described under subsection 7d74 7#d7 ,monitoring the performance of innovative products and services and revising them as needed to meet changing market trends4 7#e7 ,taking into consideration comments or advisory opinions1 if applicable1 issued by the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission prior to the initial sale of innovative postal or nonpostal products and services4 7c7 ,appointment 7#a7 ,deadline ,as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah1 but not later than #f months after such date1 the ,postmaster ,general shall appoint a ,chief ,innovation ,officer4 7#b7 ,requirements ,any individual appointed to serve as the ,chief ,innovation ,officer shall have proven expertise and a record of success in at least #a of the following3 7,a7 ,postal and shipping industry4 7,b7 ,innovation product research and development4 7,c7 ,marketing brand strategy4 7,d7 ,emerging communications technology4 7,e7 ,business process management4 7#c7 ,current officer or employee eligible ,an officer or employee of the ,postal ,service may be appointed to the position of ,chief ,innovation ,officer under this chapter4 ,upon appointment to such position1 such officer or employee may not concurrently hold any other position in the ,postal ,service4 7d7 ,innovation strategy 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ab months after the date on which the ,chief ,innovation ,officer is appointed under subsection 7c77#a71 the ,postmaster ,general shall submit to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission a comprehensive strategy for maximizing revenues through innovative postal and nonpostal products and services4 7#b7 ,matters to be addressed ,the strategy submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall address-- 7,a7 the specific innovative postal and nonpostal products and services to be developed and offered by the ,postal ,service1 including the nature of the market to be filled by each product and service and the likely date by which each product and service will be introduced2 7,b7 the cost of developing and offering each product or service2 7,c7 the anticipated sales volume of each product and service2 7,d7 the anticipated revenues and profits expected to be generated by each product and service2 7,e7 the likelihood of success of each product and service as well as the risks associated with the development and sale of each product and service2 7,f7 the trends anticipated in market conditions that may affect the success of each product and service over the #e-year period beginning on the date such strategy or update is submitted2 7,g7 the metrics that will be utilized to assess the effectiveness of the innovation strategy2 and 7,h7 the specific methods by which mailpiece design analysis may be improved to speed the approval process and promote the increased use of innovative mailpiece design4 7#c7 ,strategy updates ,on ,january #a1 #bjai1 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,postal ,service shall submit an update to the innovation strategy submitted under paragraph 7#a7 to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7e7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,on the date of submission of the ,president's annual budget under section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca1 the ,postmaster ,general shall submit to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission a report that details the ,postal ,service's progress in implementing the innovation strategy described under subsection 7d74 7#b7 ,matters to be addressed ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall address-- 7,a7 the revenue generated by each product and service developed through the innovation strategy and the costs of developing and offering each such product and service for the most recent fiscal year2 7,b7 the total sales volume and revenue generated by each product and service on a monthly basis for the preceding year2 7,c7 trends in the markets filled by each product and service2 7,d7 products and services identified in the innovation strategy that are to be discontinued1 the date on which the discontinuance will occur1 and the reasons for the discontinuance2 7,e7 alterations in products and services identified in the innovation strategy that will be made to meet changing market conditions1 and an explanation of how these alterations will ensure the success of the products and services2 and 7,f7 the performance of the innovation strategy according to the metrics identified in subsection 7d77#b77;,g74 7f7 ,comptroller ,general study 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general shall conduct a study on the implementation of the innovation strategy described under subsection 7d7 not later than #d years after the date of enactment of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah4 7#b7 ,contents ,the study required under paragraph 7#a7 shall assess the effectiveness of the ,postal ,service in identifying1 developing1 and selling innovative postal and nonpostal products and services4 ,the study shall also include-- 7,a7 an audit of the costs of developing each innovative postal and nonpostal product and service developed or offered by the ,postal ,service during the period beginning on the date of enactment of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah and ending #d years after such date2 7,b7 the sales volume of each such product and service2 7,c7 the revenues and profits generated by each such product and service2 and 7,d7 the likelihood of continued success of each such product and service4 7#c7 ,submission ,the results of the study required under this subsection shall be submitted to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #b of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bji4 ,chief ,innovation ,officer4 4 #bac4 ,emergency suspensions of post offices 7a7 ,in general ,section #djd of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,emergency suspensions 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the terms alternate service and temporary location include a location at which customers affected by an emergency suspension of a post office1 or the expiration of the lease or rental agreement for a post office1 may send and receive mail1 which may include the provision and regular servicing of a ,cluster ,box ,unit 7commonly known as a ,,cbu7 by the ,postal ,service2 7,b7 the term discontinuance procedures means the procedures required for the discontinuance of a post office under subsection 7d7 and any regulations promulgated under that subsection2 7,c7 the term emergency suspension means the temporary suspension of retail operations at a post office1 without following discontinuance procedures for the post office1 because of-- 7i7 a natural disaster2 7ii7 the termination of a lease or rental agreement by the lessor2 7iii7 a lack of qualified personnel to operate the post office2 7iv7 severe or irreparable damage to1 or destruction of1 the post office when alternate quarters acceptable to the ,postal ,service for use as a post office are not immediately available in the community2 7v7 a challenge to the sanctity of the mail2 or 7vi7 a lack of adequate measures to safeguard the post office or its revenues2 and 7,d7 the term post office-- 7i7 means a ,post ,office1 as that term is defined in section #bda4a of title #ci1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation2 and 7ii7 includes a post office branch or post office station4 7#b7 ,authority ,the ,postal ,service may implement an emergency suspension of a post office in accordance with the requirements under paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#g74 7#c7 ,notification ,if the ,postal ,service implements an emergency suspension of a post office1 the ,postal ,service shall provide immediate notice of the suspension to-- 7,a7 the relevant local1 regional1 ,state1 and ,federal officials1 including-- 7i7 each ,member of ,congress who represents the area in which the affected post office is located2 and 7ii7 the chief executive of each relevant unit of local government2 and 7,b7 customers1 notification to whom shall include-- 7i7 the effective date of the suspension2 7ii7 the reason for the suspension2 7iii7 any alternate service available2 7iv7 the nearest postal retail facility 7as defined in section #c of the ,postal ,service ,reform ,act of #bjah7 and hours of service2 and 7v7 the name and contact information of an individual to contact for more information4 7#d7 ,alternate service ,if the ,postal ,service implements an emergency suspension of a post office1 the ,postal ,service shall provide alternate drop-off1 pick-up1 and post office box services at #a or more locations that are as close as feasible to the suspended post office4 7#e7 ,employee reassignment ,if the ,postal ,service implements an emergency suspension of a post office1 the ,postal ,service shall temporarily reassign each employee of the post office in accordance with each applicable ,federal statute1 ,federal regulation1 and collective bargaining agreement4 7#f7 ,suspension review 7,a7 ,in general ,within a reasonable period of time after the date on which the ,postal ,service implements an emergency suspension of a post office1 the ,postal ,service shall review the emergency suspension and determine whether to-- 7i7 reopen the post office2 or 7ii7 continue the emergency suspension4 7,b7 ,reopening 7i7 ,notification ,if the ,postal ,service makes a determination under subparagraph 7,a7 to reopen a post office1 the ,postal ,service shall provide notice to the persons described in paragraph 7#c7 of the date by which the ,postal ,service expects to reopen the post office4 7ii7 ,delay ,if the ,postal ,service does not reopen a post office by the date specified under clause 7i71 not later than the next business day after that date1 the ,postal ,service shall provide notice of the delay to the persons described in paragraph 7#c71 including a new date by which the ,postal ,service expects to reopen the post office1 if such a date is known4 7iii7 ,subsequent delays ,if the ,postal ,service does not reopen a post office by a new date specified under clause 7ii71 the ,postal ,service shall provide to the persons described in paragraph 7#c7 notice1 and a new date in the same manner as under clause 7ii7 of this subparagraph1 and shall continue to do so at regular intervals until the ,postal ,service reopens the post office or initiates discontinuance procedures for the post office4 7,c7 ,continued suspension 7i7 ,in general ,if the ,postal ,service makes a determination under subparagraph 7,a7 to continue the emergency suspension of a post office1 the ,postal ,service-- 7,i7 not later than #cj days after making the determination1 shall-- 7aa7 provide alternate services that are the same or substantially similar to the services provided at the suspended post office on a temporary basis at a location within a reasonable distance of the suspended post office1 which may be at the nearest postal facility2 and 7bb7 7,,aa7 initiate discontinuance procedures for the post office2 7,,bb7 publish a plan to restore service to the affected community within a reasonable period of time2 or 7,,cc7 provide notice to the persons described in paragraph 7#c7 of the date on which the ,postal ,service expects to publish a plan to restore the same or substantially similar service to the affected community within a reasonable period of time2 and 7,,ii7 if the ,postal ,service elects to provide notice under subclause 7,i77bb77,,cc71 shall1 not later than #ij days after the date of the initial determination to implement the emergency suspension1 publish the plan described in that subclause4 7ii7 ,delay in restoration of service ,if the ,postal ,service publishes a plan to restore service to an affected community under subclause 7,i77bb77,,bb7 or 7,,ii7 of clause 7i7 and such service to the affected community is not restored within #ahj days of the date on which the emergency suspension was implemented1 the ,postal ,service shall-- 7,i7 7aa7 publish notice of the continued suspension1 including-- 7,,aa7 a reason for the delay2 and 7,,bb7 an anticipated date of restoration of service2 and 7bb7 not later than #cj days after publishing the notice under item 7aa71 host a question-and-answer forum-- 7,,aa7 that members of the community may attend1 at a location accessible to the affected community2 or 7,,bb7 in which members of the affected community may participate by teleconference or videoconference2 or 7,,ii7 initiate discontinuance procedures for the post office4 7iii7 #a-year delay ,if1 as of the date that is #a year after the date on which an emergency suspension of a post office was implemented1 service to the affected community has not been restored and the ,postal ,service has not initiated discontinuance procedures for the post office1 the ,postal ,service-- 7,i7 shall publish notice of the continued suspension1 including-- 7aa7 a reason for the delay2 and 7bb7 an anticipated date of restoration of such service2 7,,ii7 shall host-- 7aa7 not later than #cj days after publishing the notice under subclause 7,i71 a second question-and-answer forum described in clause 7ii77,i77bb72 and 7bb7 additional question-and-answer fora described in clause 7ii77,i77bb7 every subsequent #ahj days until-- 7,,aa7 such service is restored2 or 7,,bb7 the ,postal ,service initiates discontinuance procedures for the post office2 and 7,,iii7 if services similar to those that have not been restored are not located within a reasonable distance of the post office1 not later than #fj days after the date that is #a year after the date on which the emergency suspension was implemented1 shall develop and publish a plan to provide essential services1 including alternate retail and post office box services1 on a temporary basis at a location within a reasonable distance of the suspended post office4 7#g7 ,restoration of service ,upon the restoration of service under paragraph 7#f77;,c71 the ,postal ,service shall immediately notify-- 7,a7 the affected community2 and 7,b7 the ,headquarters ,review ,coordinator4 7#h7 ,lease or rental agreement expiration 7,a7 ,in general 7i7 ,prohibition on emergency suspensions ,the ,postal ,service may not implement an emergency suspension of a post office based on the expiration of the lease or rental agreement for the post office4 7ii7 ,alternative process ,the ,postal ,service shall establish an alternative process for the suspension of postal services to a community based on the expiration of a lease or rental agreement for a post office in accordance with subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,g7 of this paragraph4 7,b7 ,failure to reach agreement ,if1 as of #cj days before the expiration of a lease or rental agreement for a post office1 the ,postal ,service does not expect to reach an agreement with the lessor to extend the lease or rental agreement or to sell the property to the ,postal ,service1 the ,postal ,service shall-- 7i7 notify the affected community of a possible disruption in service due to the possible expiration of the lease or rental agreement2 and 7ii7 include in the notification under clause 7i7-- 7,i7 the expiration date of the lease or rental agreement2 7,,ii7 alternate services available if the lease or rental agreement expires12 7,,iii7 the nearest post offices and hours of service2 and 7,,iv7 the name1 telephone number1 and email address of an individual to contact for more information4 7,c7 ,restoration of service ,not later than #e days after the date on which a lease or rental agreement for a post office expires1 the ,postal ,service shall make best efforts to commence actions required to restore the same or substantially similar service to the community in which the post office that was the subject of the expired lease or rental agreement is located4 7,d7 ,failure to restore service ,if1 within #cj days after the expiration of a lease or rental agreement for a post office1 the ,postal ,service is unable to restore service at the same location or at another location in the affected community1 the ,postal ,service shall publish notice of intent to restore the same or substantially similar service to the affected community-- 7i7 within a reasonable period of time2 and 7ii7 in any event1 not later than #ahj days after the date on which the lease or rental agreement expired4 7,e7 ,delay in restoration of service ,if the ,postal ,service publishes notice of intent to restore the same or substantially similar service to an affected community under subparagraph 7,d7 and such service to the affected community is not restored within #ahj days of the date on which the lease or rental agreement for the post office expired1 the ,postal ,service shall-- 7i7 publish notice of the delay1 including-- 7,i7 a reason for the delay2 and 7,,ii7 an anticipated date of restoration of such service2 and 7ii7 within a reasonable period of time after publishing the notice under clause 7i71 host a question-and-answer forum-- 7,i7 that members of the community may attend1 at a location accessible to the affected community2 or 7,,ii7 in which members of the affected community may participate by teleconference or videoconference4 7,f7 ,further delays in restoration of service ,upon the expiration of each #cj-;day period after the date on which the ,postal ,service publishes notice of a delay under subparagraph 7,e77i71 if the same or substantially similar service to the affected community has not been restored1 the ,postal ,service shall publish an updated notice of the delay that includes the anticipated date of restoration of such service4 7,g7 #a-year delay ,if the same or substantially similar service to the affected community is not restored within #a year of the date on which the lease or rental agreement for the post office expired1 the ,postal ,service-- 7i7 shall host-- 7,i7 a second question-and-answer forum described in subparagraph 7,e77ii72 and 7,,ii7 additional question-and-answer fora described in subparagraph 7,e77ii7 in the affected community as determined necessary by the ,postal ,service until-- 7aa7 such service is restored2 or 7bb7 the ,postal ,service initiates discontinuance procedures for the post office2 and 7ii7 if no alternate services are located within a reasonable distance of the post office1 not later than #fj days after the date that is #a year after the date on which the lease or rental agreement for the post office expired1 shall develop and publish a plan to provide essential services1 including alternate retail and post office box services1 on a temporary basis at a location within a reasonable distance of the post office4 4 7b7 ,applicability ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply to any emergency suspension of a post office that is implemented on or after the date that is #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #bad4 ,mailing address requirements 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #cf of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #cfhg4 ,mailing address requirements 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term municipality means a city1 town1 borough1 county1 parish1 district1 association1 or other public entity established by1 or pursuant to1 applicable ,state law2 and 7#b7 the term ,state means each of the several ,states1 territories1 and possessions of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico4 7b7 ,requirement for physical and mailing addresses to correspond ,the ,state and municipality used by the ,postal ,service for the delivery address for purposes of mail matter shall correspond with the ,state and municipality of the physical address of the location for the delivery of such mail matter4 4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #cf of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cfhf the following3 #cfhg4 ,mailing address requirements4 4 ,,iii ,postal contracting reform #cja4 ,contracting provisions 7a7 ,in general ,part ,i of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #g ,contracting ,provisions ,sec4 #gja4 ,definitions4 #gjb4 ,delegation of contracting authority4 #gjc4 ,posting of noncompetitive purchase requests for noncompetitive contracts4 #gjd4 ,review of ethical issues4 #gje4 ,ethical restrictions on participation in certain contracting activity4 #gja4 ,definitions ,in this chapter-- 7#a7 the term contracting officer means an employee of a covered postal entity who has authority to enter into a postal contract2 7#b7 the term covered postal entity means-- 7,a7 the ,postal ,service2 or 7,b7 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission2 7#c7 the term head of a covered postal entity means-- 7,a7 in the case of the ,postal ,service1 the ,postmaster ,general2 or 7,b7 in the case of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 the ,chairman of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission2 7#d7 the term postal contract means-- 7,a7 in the case of the ,postal ,service1 any contract 7including any agreement or memorandum of understanding7 entered into by the ,postal ,service for the procurement of goods or services2 or 7,b7 in the case of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 any contract 7including any agreement or memorandum of understanding7 in an amount exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold 7as defined in section #acd of title #da7 entered into by the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission for the procurement of goods or services2 and 7#e7 the term senior procurement executive means the senior procurement executive of a covered postal entity4 #gjb4 ,delegation of contracting authority 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,policy ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this chapter1 the head of each covered postal entity shall issue a policy on contracting officer delegations of authority for postal contracts for the covered postal entity4 7#b7 ,contents ,the policy issued under paragraph 7#a7 shall require that-- 7,a7 notwithstanding any delegation of authority with respect to postal contracts1 the ultimate responsibility and accountability for the award and administration of postal contracts resides with the senior procurement executive2 and 7,b7 a contracting officer shall maintain an awareness of1 and engagement in1 the activities being performed on postal contracts of which that officer has cognizance1 notwithstanding any delegation of authority that may have been executed4 7b7 ,posting of delegations 7#a7 ,in general ,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 entity4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this paragraph shall apply to any delegation of authority made on or after the date that is #cj days after the date of enactment of this chapter4 #gjc4 ,posting of noncompetitive purchase requests for noncompetitive contracts 7a7 ,posting required 7#a7 ,postal regulatory commission ,the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall make the noncompetitive purchase request for any noncompetitive award for any contract 7including any agreement or memorandum of understanding7 entered into by the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission for the procurement of goods and services in an amount of #bj1jjj or more1 including the rationale supporting the noncompetitive award1 publicly available on the website of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission-- 7,a7 not later than #ad days after the date of the award of the noncompetitive contract2 or 7,b7 not later than #cj days after the date of the award of the noncompetitive contract1 if the basis for the award was a compelling business interest4 7#b7 ,postal service ,the ,postal ,service shall make the noncompetitive purchase request for any noncompetitive award of a postal contract in an amount of #bej1jjj or more1 including the rationale supporting the noncompetitive award1 publicly available on the website of the ,postal ,service-- 7,a7 not later than #ad days after the date of the award2 or 7,b7 not later than #cj days after the date of the award1 if the basis for the award was a compelling business interest4 7#c7 ,adjustments to the posting threshold 7,a7 ,review and determination ,not later than ,january #ca of each year1 the ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall-- 7i7 review the applicable threshold established under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b72 and 7ii7 based on any change in the ,consumer ,price ,index for ,all ,urban ,consumers of the ,department of ,labor1 determine whether an adjustment to the threshold shall be made4 7,b7 ,amount of adjustments ,an adjustment under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be made in increments of #e1jjj4 ,if the covered postal entity determines that a change in the ,consumer ,price ,index for a year would require an adjustment in an amount that is less than #e1jjj1 the covered postal entity may not make an adjustment to the threshold for the year4 7#d7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply to any noncompetitive contract awarded on or after the date that is #ij days after the date of enactment of this chapter4 7b7 ,public availability 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 the information required to be made publicly available by a covered postal entity under subsection 7a7 shall be readily accessible on the website of the covered postal entity4 7#b7 ,protection of proprietary information ,a covered postal entity shall-- 7,a7 carefully screen any description of the rationale supporting a noncompetitive award required to be made publicly available under subsection 7a7 to determine whether the description includes proprietary data 7including any reference or citation to the proprietary data7 or security-related information2 and 7,b7 remove any proprietary data or security-related information before making publicly available a description of the rationale supporting a noncompetitive award4 7c7 ,waivers 7#a7 ,waiver permitted ,if the ,postal ,service determines that making a noncompetitive purchase request for a postal contract of the ,postal ,service under subsection 7a77#b7 publicly available would risk placing the ,postal ,service at a competitive disadvantage relative to a private sector competitor1 the senior procurement executive1 in consultation with the advocate for competition of the ,postal ,service1 may waive the requirements under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,form and content of waiver 7,a7 ,form ,a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 shall be in the form of a written determination placed in the file of the contract to which the noncompetitive purchase request relates4 7,b7 ,content ,a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7i7 a description of the risk associated with making the noncompetitive purchase request publicly available2 and 7ii7 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 competitor4 7#c7 ,delegation of waiver authority ,the ,postal ,service may not delegate the authority to approve a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 to any employee having less authority than the senior procurement executive4 #gjd4 ,review of ethical issues ,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 contract1 that ethics official shall-- 7#a7 review the proposed contract2 and 7#b7 advise the contracting officer on the appropriate resolution of ethical issues4 #gje4 ,ethical restrictions on participation in certain contracting activity 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term covered employee means-- 7,a7 a contracting officer2 or 7,b7 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 entity2 7#b7 the term final conviction means a conviction entered by a court1 regardless of whether such conviction was entered on a verdict or pursuant to a plea 7including a plea of nolo contendere71 and with regard to which no further appeal may be taken or is pending2 and 7#c7 the term covered relationship means a covered relationship described in section #bfce4ejb7;b77#a7 of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto4 7b7 ,in general 7#a7 ,regulations ,the head of each covered postal entity shall prescribe regulations that-- 7,a7 require a covered employee to include in the file of any noncompetitive purchase request for a noncompetitive postal contract a written certification that-- 7i7 discloses any covered relationship of the covered employee2 and 7ii7 states that the covered employee will not take any action with respect to the noncompetitive purchase request that affects the financial interests of any person with which the covered employee has a covered relationship1 or otherwise gives rise to an appearance of the use of public office for private gain1 as described in section #bfce4gjb of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto2 7,b7 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 7,a77i71 to determine whether participation by the covered employee in the noncompetitive purchase request would give rise to a violation of part #bfce of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7commonly referred to as the ,standards of ,ethical ,conduct for ,employees of the ,executive ,branch71 or any successor thereto2 7,c7 require the ethics counsel for a covered postal entity to review any disclosure made by a contracting officer under subparagraph 7,a77i7 to determine whether participation by the contracting officer in the noncompetitive purchase request would give rise to a violation of part #bfce of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7commonly referred to as the ,standards of ,ethical ,conduct for ,employees of the ,executive ,branch71 or any successor thereto2 7,d7 under subsections 7d7 and 7e7 of section #bfce4ejb of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto1 require the ethics counsel for a covered postal entity to-- 7i7 authorize a covered employee that makes a disclosure under subparagraph 7,a77i7 to participate in the noncompetitive postal contract2 or 7ii7 disqualify a covered employee that makes a disclosure under subparagraph 7,a77i7 from participating in the noncompetitive postal contract2 7,e7 require a contractor to timely disclose to the contracting officer in a bid1 solicitation1 award1 or performance of a postal contract any conflict of interest with a covered employee2 and 7,f7 include authority for the head of the covered postal entity to grant a waiver or otherwise mitigate any organizational or personal conflict of interest1 if the head of the covered postal entity determines that the waiver or mitigation is in the best interests of the covered postal entity4 7#b7 ,posting of waivers ,not later than #cj days after the head of a covered postal entity grants a waiver described in paragraph 7#a77;,f71 the head of the covered postal entity shall make the waiver publicly available on the website of the covered postal entity4 7c7 ,contract voidance and recovery 7#a7 ,unlawful conduct ,in any case in which there is a final conviction for a violation of any provision of chapter #aa of title #ah relating to a postal contract1 the head of a covered postal entity may-- 7,a7 void that contract2 and 7,b7 recover the amounts expended and property transferred by the covered postal entity under that contract4 7#b7 ,obtaining or disclosing procurement information 7,a7 ,in general ,in any case in which 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 7b77#a77;,e71 the head of a covered postal entity may-- 7i7 void that contract2 and 7ii7 recover the amounts expended and property transferred by the covered postal entity under that contract4 7,b7 ,conviction or administrative determination ,a case described under subparagraph 7,a7 is any case in which-- 7i7 there is a final conviction for an offense punishable under section #baje of title #da2 or 7ii7 the head of a covered postal entity determines1 based upon a preponderance of the evidence1 that the contractor or someone acting for the contractor has engaged in conduct constituting an offense punishable under section #baje of such title4 4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of chapters at the beginning of part ,i is amended by adding at the end the following3 #g4;,contracting ,provisions#gja 4 #cjb4 ,technical amendment to definition ,section #gaja7h7 of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,c72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,d7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 4 ,,iv ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 ,inspector ,general1 related provisions1 and miscellaneous #dja4 ,postal ,regulatory ,commission ,section #ejb of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c71 by striking subsection 7f7 and inserting subsections 7f7 and 7g72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7g7 ,a ,commissioner may serve for not more than #b full terms as a ,commissioner4 4 #djb4 ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission 7a7 ,appointment of ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission by ,president ,section #h;,g of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the ,united ,states ,international ,trade ,commission1 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 and the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and inserting the ,united ,states ,international ,trade ,commission1 and the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 with respect to the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 such term1 for purposes of oversight of-- 7i7 the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 means the ,governors 7as defined in section #ajb7c7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code72 and 7ii7 the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 means the ,chairman of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission2 2 7#b7 in subsection 7d77#a71 by inserting or subsection 7f77#c7 after ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b72 and 7#c7 in subsection 7f7-- 7,a7 by striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 7,a7 ,there is established in the ,united ,states ,postal ,service the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7,b7 ,there shall be at the head of the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission an ,inspector ,general 7referred to in this subsection as the ,inspector ,general7 who shall be appointed by the ,president1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate1 without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting1 auditing1 financial analysis1 law1 management analysis1 public administration1 or investigations4 7,c7 ,the ,inspector ,general may be removed from office by the ,president4 ,if the ,inspector ,general is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 the ,president shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both ,houses of ,congress1 not later than #cj days before the removal or transfer4 ,nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit a personnel action otherwise authorized by law1 other than transfer or removal4 7,d7 ,for the purposes of section #gcbd of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,inspector ,general shall not be considered to be an employee who determines policies to be pursued by the ,united ,states in the nationwide administration of ,federal laws4 7,e7 ,the ,inspector ,general shall have all of the authorities and responsibilities provided by this ,act with respect to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 as if the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission were part of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service 7hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the ,inspector ,general72 7,c7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 in clause 7i71 in the matter preceding subclause 7,i71 by inserting relating to the ,united ,states ,postal ,service before which require access to sensitive information2 and 7,,ii7 in clause 7iii71 by striking ,committee on ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and inserting ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b77i71 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,united ,states ,postal ,service2 and 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking ,committee on ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and inserting ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#d71 by adding at the end the following3 ,nothing in this paragraph may be invoked by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service to restrict or limit any audit or investigation that the ,inspector ,general considers appropriate42 and 7,e7 in paragraph 7#f71 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 7b7 ,interim power of ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service ,during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act and ending on the date on which the first individual is appointed as ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service shall have all of the authorities and responsibilities provided by the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 with respect to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 as if the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission were part of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 7c7 ,transfer of personnel 7#a7 ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service ,the personnel employed in the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service are transferred to the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7#b7 ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission ,the personnel employed in the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission may be transferred to the other offices of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7#c7 ,modern service and performance standards ,any unobligated amounts made available to carry out the functions of the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission before the date of enactment of this ,act shall be used to establish and revise modern service standards and measure performance under section #cfia of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #baj7;a7 of this ,act4 7#d7 ,effect ,during the #a-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act1 any full-time or part-time employee who1 on the day before such date of enactment1 was employed in a permanent position in the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 shall not be separated or reduced in grade or compensation because of the transfer under an amendment made by this section4 7d7 ,technical and conforming amendments 7#a7 ,title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code ,title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in section #ajb7d71 by striking section #bjb7;e7 of this title and inserting section #h;,g7f77#a77;,b7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app472 7,b7 in section #bjb1 by striking subsection 7e72 7,c7 in section #ejd1 by striking subsection 7h72 7,d7 in section #ajja7;b71 in the first sentence1 by inserting 1 and section #h;,g7f77#a77;,b7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 after #ajja7;c7 of this title2 7,e7 in section #ajjc7;b71 by striking #aa7b7 and inserting #ab7b72 7,f7 in section #ajje7;a77#c71 by inserting 1 and section #h;,g7f77#a77;,b7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 after #ajja7;c7 of this title2 7,g7 in section #bjji1 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,united ,states ,postal ,service2 and 7,h7 in section #bjaa7;h77#b77;,d71 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,united ,states ,postal ,service4 7#b7 ,omnibus ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #aiig ,section #ffb7;d7 of the ,omnibus ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #aiig 7#ci ,u4,s4,c4 #bhjb note7 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the paragraph heading1 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,postal ,service2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,postal ,service2 and 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,b77i71 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,postal ,service2 and 7,b7 in the first sentence of paragraph 7#b71 by inserting and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after ,postal ,service4 7e7 ,savings provisions 7#a7 ,suits ,the provisions of this ,act shall not affect suits commenced before the effective date of this ,act1 and in all such suits1 proceeding shall be had1 appeals taken1 and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if this ,act had not been enacted4 7#b7 ,nonabatement of actions ,no suit1 action1 or other proceeding commenced by or against the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service or the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 or by or against any individual in the official capacity of such individual as an officer of the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service or the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission shall abate by reason of the enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,continuance of suits ,if1 before the effective date of this ,act1 the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service or the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission or officer thereof in the official capacity of such officer1 is party to a suit1 and under this ,act any function of the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service or the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission or officer is transferred to the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission or any other official of the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission1 then such suit shall be continued with the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission or other appropriate official of the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission substituted or added as a party4 7f7 ,applicability 7#a7 ,in general ,except with respect to the amendment made by subsection 7a77#a77;,a7 relating to the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission and the amendment made by subsection 7d77#a77;,c71 the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the first individual appointed as ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act may be construed to alter the authority or the length of the term of the individual serving as ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7g7 ,references in this ,act to the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service ,on and after the date on which the first individual is appointed as ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission after the date of enactment of this ,act1 each reference in this ,act to the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,service shall be deemed to be a reference to the ,inspector ,general of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,postal ,regulatory ,commission4 7h7 ,resources for waste1 fraud1 and abuse investigations 7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #d of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #dag4 ,waste1 fraud1 and abuse investigations ,the ,postal ,service may transfer such resources to the ,inspector ,general for waste1 fraud1 and abuse investigations as the ,postal ,service determines necessary4 4 7#b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #d of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #dag4 ,waste1 fraud1 and abuse investigations4 4 #djc4 ,,gao report on fragmentation1 overlap1 and duplication in ,federal programs and activities ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall include in the annual report to ,congress required under section #ba of the ,joint ,resolution entitled ,joint ,resolution increasing the statutory limit on the public debt1 approved ,february #ab1 #bjaj 7#ca ,u4,s4,c4 #gab note71 that is applicable to the first year beginning after the date of enactment of this ,act a review of the duplication of services and functions between the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,postal ,service1 the ,postal ,inspection ,service1 and any other ,federal agency4 ,april #i1 #bjah,read the second time and placed on the calendar