Bill · S. 155· Senate(119-S-155)
MAILS Act
- Introduced
- 1/21/2025
- Last activity
- 1/21/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Crapo
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The MAILS Act aims to improve communication between the United States Postal Service and local communities regarding the establishment or relocation of retail service facilities. It requires the Postal Service to create a formal process for local government officials to request new post offices within 90 days of enactment. For temporary relocations lasting longer than two days, the bill mandates community input and specific notification procedures for elected officials. The Postal Service must also provide public notice and hold a public presentation regarding these temporary moves. Additionally, the bill requires periodic updates to local officials and specific reports to Congressional committees for relocations exceeding 180 days.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates public notices, public presentations, and periodic updates regarding temporary post office relocations.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The bill provides a formal mechanism for local officials to request new postal service facilities in their areas.
Does this invest in rural communities?+2
The bill empowers local government officials to request new post office locations to serve their communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Local Government Empowerment: The Postal Service must establish a formal process for a local government official to request a new post office within their locality (Section 3).
-
Community Voice: The Postal Service is prohibited from implementing a temporary relocation lasting longer than 2 days without collecting and considering community input (Section 4, paragraph 1).
-
Increased Transparency for Elected Officials: The Postal Service must submit a written outline of a temporary relocation proposal to local elected officials at least 30 days before the relocation occurs (Section 4, paragraph 2A).
-
Public Awareness: The Postal Service is required to provide public notice of temporary relocations at least 15 days before they happen and hold a public presentation (Section 4, paragraph 2B).
-
Accountability for Long-term Relocations: For temporary relocations exceeding 180 days, the Postal Service must submit a report to specific Senate and House committees and members of Congress representing the affected area (Section 5, subsection a).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 1/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii