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20-857: The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 created the PRC—originally named the Postal Rate Commission —to set the rates for different classes of mail by holding hearings on rates proposed by the United States Postal Service (USPS). From 1970 through 2006, the PRC also had oversight authority over the USPS in areas besides rates changes. Specifically, that additional oversight consisted of conducting public, on-the-record hearings concerning proposed mail classification or major service changes and of recommending actions to be taken by

40-485: A direct outcome of the U.S. postal strike of 1970 . Prior to the act, postal workers were not permitted by law to engage in collective bargaining . In the act, the four major postal unions ( National Association of Letter Carriers , American Postal Workers Union , National Postal Mail Handlers Union , and the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association ) won full collective bargaining rights:

60-559: Is composed of five Commissioners—each of whom is appointed to a six-year term of office by the President and confirmed by the Senate , similar to many other high-level Executive Branch office holders. As with Postal Governors , PRC commissioners are permitted to serve for one additional "holdover" year beyond the end of their term if a replacement has not been nominated and confirmed. The President designates one Commissioner as Chairman of

80-638: The United States Congress that abolished the then U.S. Post Office Department , which was a part of the Cabinet , and created the U.S. Postal Service , a corporation -like independent agency authorized by the U.S. government as an official service for the delivery of mail in the United States . President Richard Nixon signed the Act in law on August 12, 1970. The legislation was

100-697: The postal Governors . The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-435) enacted on December 20, 2006, made several changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Besides giving the body its current name, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act significantly strengthened the Commission's authority to serve as a counterbalance to new flexibility granted to the USPS in setting postal rates. The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act requires

120-410: The Commission designate an individual to represent the interest of the general public in every public proceeding. This obligation is likely unique in the federal government, although state-level public utility commissions have similar arrangements. Since 2007, the Commission has used the method of appointing a staff member, on a case-by-case basis, to represent the public interest before the Commission for

140-592: The Commission for the review of various Postal Service proposed actions: rate changes, negotiated service agreements (NSAs), classification of products and services, the Annual Compliance Determination, the Annual Report to President and Congress, changes to postal services, post office closings and other issues before the Commission. Areas of expertise include economic and econometric analysis, analysis of operational characteristics of

160-615: The Commission on the legal aspects of proposed legislation, rulemaking, and policies on procurement, contracting, personnel matters, ethics, and other internal legal matters. The Office of Public Affairs & Government Relations (PAGR) manages communications and public outreach for the Commission with the public, Members of Congress, the Postal Service, state and local governments, and the news media. PAGR engages in public outreach, responds to media inquiries and disseminates information concerning Commission decisions and activities to

180-567: The Commission. The Commissioners together designate one of their number as a Vice chairman for a one-year term. No more than three of the Commissioners can be from any one political party. The commissioners as of September 25, 2024: The PRC is organized into five operating offices: Accountability and Compliance, General Counsel, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Secretary, and Inspector General. The Office of Accountability & Compliance (OAC) provides analytic support to

200-558: The PRC, including budgeting and accounting, strategic planning, contracting, human resources and personnel, and serves as a point of contact for audits. It also manages facilities and infrastructure, and provides support services. The Office of Inspector General is a watchdog office that seeks out fraud, waste and abuse in the PRC programs and operations, and conducts audits of programs to identify areas of potential improvement. The Office of Inspector General also investigates allegations and complaints. The law (39 U.S.C. 505) requires that

220-617: The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, the United States Postal Service must make annual payments of between $ 5.4 billion and $ 5.8 billion to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund from 2007. This provision of the law has been highly controversial, as no other federal agency is required to pre-fund future retirees' health benefits in this manner. The consequences of this funding requirement have been blamed for

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240-539: The Postal Regulatory Commission to develop and maintain regulations for a modern system of rate regulation, consult with the Postal Service on delivery service standards and performance measures, consult with the Department of State on international postal policies, prevent cross-subsidization or other anti-competitive postal practices, promote transparency and accountability, and adjudicate complaints. The law also assigns new and continuing oversight responsibilities to

260-603: The Postal Regulatory Commission, including annual determinations of USPS compliance with applicable laws, development of accounting practices and procedures for the Postal Service, review of the Universal Service requirement, and assurance of transparency through periodic reports. New enforcement tools given to the PRC include subpoena power, authority to direct the Postal Service to adjust rates and to take other remedial actions, and levying fines in cases of deliberate noncompliance with applicable postal laws. According to

280-483: The duration of that particular case. This appointee is called the Public Representative. The Public Representative can obtain legal or technical support if necessary to fulfill that responsibility, but no one working in the Public Representative role can participate in the Commission's decision-making process. Postal Reorganization Act The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 was a law passed by

300-478: The obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities. The costs of establishing and maintaining the Postal Service shall not be apportioned to impair the overall value of such service to

320-579: The people. The Postal Reorganization Act (at 39 USC 410(c)(2) ) exempts the USPS from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosure of "information of a commercial nature, including trade secrets, whether or not obtained from a person outside the Postal Service, which under good business practice would not be publicly disclosed". This United States federal legislation article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Watchdog (disambiguation)#Public oversight Watchdog or watch dog may refer to: An individual or group that monitors

340-418: The perilous financial condition of the Postal Service, but no consensus has been reached on its fiscal effects, given other contributors such as stiff competition and other economic circumstances. In June 2011, the United States Postal Service had to suspend its weekly payment of $ 115 million into the fund because it had reached $ 8 billion in debt and the retirement plan had a surplus of $ 6.9 billion. The PRC

360-409: The postal system, analysis of Postal Service operating costs and cost methodologies. OAC also collects, analyzes and periodically summarizes financial and various other statistical information to support Commission responsibilities. The Office of General Counsel provides legal assistance on matters involving the Commission's responsibilities; defends Commission decisions before the courts; and advises

380-402: The public. PAGR also provides information to postal customers and assists in the resolution of informal complaints, called "rate and service inquiries", from members of the public. The Office of Secretary & Administration records and preserves PRC actions and documents, manages the dockets, reference materials, and interagency reporting. It also helps to manage the administrative aspects of

400-640: The right to negotiate on wages, benefits and working conditions, although they still were not allowed the right to strike. The first paragraph of the act reads: The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by Act of Congress, and supported by the people. The Postal Service shall have as its basic function

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