Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act
Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to add new procedural protections for the closure or consolidation of contract postal units (CPUs) starting six months after enactment. For any CPU closure or consolidation, USPS must publish an anticipated impact report for customers, provide a Congress with the reasons for the action, hold a public hearing accessible to affected residents (in person or online), and publish a hearing summary within seven days that describes comments received and the share in favor or against the action. Importantly, closures or consolidations could not take effect until at least 180 days after that hearing summary is published. The aim is to increase transparency, public participation, and lead time before CPU changes occur.
Key Points
- 1The bill adds a new subsection (f) to Section 404 of 39 U.S.C., establishing mandatory steps for CPU closures/consolidations.
- 2Requirements for closures/consolidations (triggered for actions on or after six months post-enactment):
- 3- (A) Publish on USPS’s public website a report on expected customer impacts and steps to maintain access to postal services.
- 4- (B) Submit to Congress a report detailing the reasons for the closure or consolidation.
- 5- (C) Hold a public hearing (in person or virtual) accessible to affected community members.
- 6- (D) Publish a summary of the hearing within seven days, including comments received and the percentage in support vs. against the action.
- 7A new waiting period: no CPU closure or consolidation may occur until the later of 180 days after the hearing summary is published.
- 8The act is titled the “Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act” and is introduced in the 119th Congress.