The MAILS Act mandates the Postal Service to improve communication and transparency with local governments and communities regarding the establishment and temporary relocation of post offices, including creating a formal process for requesting new post offices and requiring detailed reports on relocations.
Michael "Mike" Crapo
Senator
ID
The MAILS Act aims to improve communication and transparency regarding Postal Service operations. It mandates a formal process for local officials to request new post offices and requires the Postal Service to provide timely notifications and updates to local officials and the public regarding temporary post office relocations. Additionally, the Postal Service must report to Congress on any temporary relocation lasting longer than 180 days, ensuring accountability and adherence to communication requirements.
MAILS Act Forces Postal Service to Get Real with Communities on Post Office Moves
The Mandating Advisable and Informed Locations and Solutions (MAILS) Act aims to shake up how the U.S. Postal Service deals with post office locations, especially temporary ones. Instead of just moving things around and leaving people in the dark, the Postal Service now has to involve communities and keep everyone in the loop.
Mail Call: New Rules for Relocations
This bill tackles the headache of "temporary" post office relocations, which, let's be real, can sometimes feel anything but temporary. The MAILS Act says that if retail services are moving for more than 2 days, the Postal Service needs to get input from the community before making the move. They also have to give local elected officials a heads-up at least 30 days in advance (Section 4(b)(1)(A)) and hold a public presentation about the plan at least 15 days prior (Section 4(b)(1)(B)). Think of it as a chance to actually talk to the people making decisions, instead of just finding a note taped to the door.
Keeping it 💯: Transparency and Updates
It's not just about getting input upfront. The MAILS Act wants ongoing transparency. If a temporary relocation goes beyond the initial 30-day comment period, the Postal Service has to give updates to local government officials every 60 days (Section 4(b)(2)). And if a relocation stretches past 180 days, they have to send a report to Congress explaining what's going on, including whether they actually followed the communication rules (Section 5). This means more eyes on the situation and, hopefully, fewer "surprise" closures.
New Digs: Requesting a Post Office
Beyond relocations, the MAILS Act also sets up a formal process for local governments to request a new post office (Section 3). Within 90 days of the Act becoming law, the Postal Service has to create a system for handling these requests. This could be a game-changer for communities that are currently underserved, making it easier to get a post office where it's actually needed.
The Fine Print
While the MAILS Act pushes for more transparency, it’s worth noting that the definition of "temporary relocation" still relies on existing Postal Service regulations (Section 2). The Act doesn't create new rules for how long "temporary" can last, so it's critical to make sure those existing regulations are clear and enforced. Overall, the bill aims to make the Postal Service more accountable to the communities it serves. It’s about making sure your mail, and your voice, are delivered.