HR8491119th CongressWALLET

Postal Alert and Weather Preparedness Act

Sponsored By: Representative Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Introduced

Summary

Expand electronic weather and mail-delivery alerts through USPS Informed Delivery. This bill would direct the Postal Service to study using Informed Delivery to send electronic notices about weather-related mail delays, post office closures or limited hours, and to advise property owners and renters to clear walkways and mailboxes during snow, sleet, ice, or debris.

Show full summary
  • Households and mail recipients: Would be considered for targeted electronic alerts about delivery delays and office closures so customers can adjust plans.
  • Property owners and renters: Would receive guidance to clear walkways and mailbox access to help carriers during hazardous conditions.
  • United States Postal Service: Would conduct a feasibility study and submit a report within 1 year on enrollment expansion, message delivery methods, criteria, content, and recipients. The USPS could implement the program after the report and may act despite the Privacy Act of 1974.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Mail alerts for postal customers

This bill would require the Postmaster General to study using Informed Delivery to send electronic weather and mail alerts. The study would be completed within one year after enactment and a report would go to two congressional committees. It would examine alerts for mail delays from bad weather or natural disasters, post office closures or limited operations, and advice to clear walkways and mailboxes. The study would evaluate how to expand Informed Delivery enrollment, who would receive messages, how messages would be sent, and what they would say. For enrollment evaluation, "contact information" would only mean a name, mailing address, email address, or phone number. On or after the report date, USPS would be allowed to run the notification program. The bill would also let USPS operate the program despite limits in the Privacy Act.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

MI • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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