Postal Service Clusterbox Responsibility Act
The Postal Service Clusterbox Responsibility Act would add a new provision to title 39 of the United States Code requiring the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to continue maintaining certain cluster mailboxes that USPS has historically maintained. It creates a formal process to identify these “historically maintained cluster box units,” defines what qualifies, and obligates USPS to repair, replace, and add mailboxes as needed. The bill also establishes a dedicated funding mechanism (a Cluster Box Unit Maintenance Fund) and sets limits on what maintenance USPS can perform, while allowing private owners or other private entities that own such units to participate in maintenance and potentially recover costs in certain liability scenarios. Regulations would be issued within 180 days of enactment. In short, the bill seeks to preserve long-standing, privately owned cluster mailbox units that USPS has historically maintained by giving USPS a clear mandate and funding pathway to keep those units functional, while creating procedures for designation, maintenance, and potential termination of the arrangement.
Key Points
- 1Creation of new Sec. 2904: Historically Maintained Cluster Box Units. USPS must maintain covered cluster box units, including repairs, replacements, and adding mailboxes when necessary, in accordance with the new section.
- 2Determination and designation process. A “covered person” must apply to have a cluster box unit designated as a covered cluster box unit. The USPS must determine, within one month of the application, whether the unit is a covered unit based on criteria such as USPS having primarily maintained it for at least 20 years. The USPS may request documents and must consider available information in making its determination.
- 3Additions and maintenance scope. USPS can add mailboxes to a covered unit if a covered person demonstrates need. If a private party adds a mailbox in compliance with laws, USPS must maintain the unit (including those additional mailboxes) under this section. The unit must be maintained only to the extent necessary for function; maintenance cannot be used for non-essential building work or damages caused by the owner or non-necessary changes.
- 4Reimbursement and liability. If maintenance costs arise from legal liability involving a non-federal party, the USPS may seek reimbursement or assign rights to liability proceeds to cover those maintenance costs.
- 5Termination and withdrawal. A unit ceases to be a covered cluster box unit if permission to maintain is withdrawn, a required liability-based maintenance request is refused, or USPS permanently stops mail delivery to all addresses served by the unit. The owner may withdraw permission only with written notice.
- 6Funding. A Cluster Box Unit Maintenance Fund is created in the Treasury to finance this section, available to USPS without fiscal-year limitations. Deposits would be made from appropriations for this purpose, with USPS able to disburse by check.
- 7Regulations due. USPS must issue regulations to implement these changes within 180 days after enactment.