US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

39 U.S.C. § 3661

Postal services

(a)
The Postal Service shall develop and promote adequate and efficient postal services.
(b)
When the Postal Service determines that there should be a change in the nature of postal services which will generally affect service on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis, it shall submit a proposal, within a reasonable time prior to the effective date of such proposal, to the Postal Regulatory Commission requesting an advisory opinion on the change.
(c)
The Commission shall not issue its opinion on any proposal until an opportunity for hearing on the record under sections 556 and 557 of title 5 has been accorded to the Postal Service, users of the mail, and an officer of the Commission who shall be required to represent the interests of the general public. The opinion shall be in writing and shall include a certification by each Commissioner agreeing with the opinion that in his judgment the opinion conforms to the policies established under this title.

Pub. L. 91–37584 Stat. 764Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, § 604(f)120 Stat. 3242(, , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–4352006—Subsec. (b). substituted “Postal Regulatory Commission” for “Postal Rate Commission”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375section 101 of this titleSection effective , pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See , set out as a note preceding .

Commission on Postal Service

Pub. L. 94–421, § 790 Stat. 1307, , , related to establishment, appointment and compensation of personnel and officers of a Commission on Postal Service and its duty to determine public service aspects of Postal Service and extent to which public service aspects of Postal Service are to be supported by appropriations, to study rate making, and to review service levels and electronic fund transfers and communication techniques, with appropriate recommendations to be transmitted to President and Congress on or before , 60 days after which transmittal it was to cease to exist.