Postal Rate Commission 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Commission rules include five sets of rules with sunset provisions. The Commission proposes to reissue four of these sets of rules with limited revisions. These include shortening and standardizing the intervention period (where applicable); eliminating the sunset provisions and, in one set, redesignating provisions to conform to Office of Federal Register style and making minor editorial revisions. Reissuance of these sets of rules, as revised, will allow the Service to have continued flexibility and will enhance administrative efficiency. The Commission seeks comments on whether the other set of rules (for certain Express Mail requests) should be reissued.

This order announces a mail classification docket to consider a proposal to amend the definition of ``nominal rate'' subscription for publications in the Periodicals class. Estabishing this docket will allow interested persons to participate in the Commission's consideration of the proposed change, which liberalizes the current definition. It will also allow them to comment on the appropriateness of treating the case on an expedited basis. The order identifies preliminary procedural steps, including appointment of the Postal Service as settlement coordinator.

This document informs the public that the United States Postal Service has filed a request for a decision on proposed changes in essentially all domestic postage rate and fee changes, along with proposed classification changes. It identifies several procedural steps the Commission has taken in response to the filing. The request reflects a system-wide average increase of 8.5 percent; however, there are limited (and in some instances, significant) exceptions.

This order announces a mail classification docket to consider and clarify domestic mail classification schedule language pertaining to Express Mail Second Day service. The proposed change, if adopted, will help clarify delivery guarantees.

This document informs the public that the Postal Service and Washington Mutual Bank (WMB) are seeking Commission approval of an agreement they have reached involving discounted First-Class Mail rates for certain WMB solicitation mail. The document describes the agreement, identifies certain preliminary decisions, and addresses procedural steps, including key deadlines.

Postal Rate Commissioners and advisory staff members will tour Bank of America Corporation mailing operations facilities in New Castle, Delaware on March 22, 2006.

This document announces the appointment of an officer to represent the interests of the general public in a pending case. This appointment fulfills a statutory requirement.

Postal Rate Commissioners and advisory staff members will tour several newspaper, courier and postal facilities in Florida on March 5- 7, 2006. Sites include the Miami Herald (in Miami); the Sun-Sentinel (in Fort Lauderdale), both on March 5; DHL Global Mail (in Fort Lauderdale) on March 6; and the Postal Service's International mail facility (in Miami) on March 7. The purpose is to view and discuss the newspapers' mailing-related operations; to observe DHL's operations and discuss how it interfaces with the Postal Service; and to examine Postal Service international mail operations.

This order informs the public that the Postal Service has filed a case with the Commission on the proposed realignment of the Nation's mail processing and transportation network. The realignment is expected to have an impact on delivery service standards. The order, among other things, addresses initial steps in the case, identifies key dates, and directs interested parties to the Commission's Web site for pertinent documents.

On February 22, 2006, the Commission will host a presentation by Pitney Bowes on the future of mail. Topics will include, among others, the evolution of substitution models; volume forecasting comparisons; technology; pricing; regulation; and human and ethnographic factors. The briefing will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Commission's hearing room.

This document addresses adding a definition of the term ``postal service'' to the rules of practice. This change is prompted by the Postal Service's action with respect to nonpostal initiatives. There is often controversy and uncertainty regarding the postal character of the services provided under those initiatives. The definition provides guidance to the Postal Service and the general public concerning services that are subject to sections 3622 and 3623 of the Postal Reorganization Act.