Bill · H.R. 8491· House(119-HR-8491)
Postal Alert and Weather Preparedness Act
- Introduced
- 4/23/2026
- Last activity
- 4/23/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sponsored by
- Hillary Scholten
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Postal Alert and Weather Preparedness Act," directs the United States Postal Service to perform a specific study. The Postmaster General is tasked with evaluating the feasibility of a program to provide electronic notifications to customers. These notifications would cover weather conditions and mail delivery updates. The study includes using the existing informed delivery platform to send these alerts. Finally, the Postmaster General must submit a report on these findings to specific House and Senate committees.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+2
The bill studies notifications regarding mail delivery delays and post office closures caused by natural disasters.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+1
Providing timely information on mail delays and post office hours can assist low-income households in managing their schedules.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+1
The notification system could assist residents in maintaining clear walkways for mail carriers during inclement weather.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Communication Regarding Delays: The study looks at notifying customers about mail delivery delays caused by natural disasters or inclement weather (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). This could help people plan accordingly when their mail is not arriving on time.
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Operational Awareness: The program evaluates notifying customers if post offices or other locations are closed or have limited hours due to weather or natural disasters (Section 2(a)(1)(B)). This provides people with timely information regarding service availability.
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Safety and Access Guidance: The study includes notifications advising property owners and renters to clear walkways of snow, sleet, ice, or debris (Section 2(a)(1)(C)). This could assist in ensuring mail carriers can access mailboxes and doors safely.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- 4/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House