§2601 — Title 39 Postal Service | U.S. Code

Summary

The Postal Service must collect money owed to it. It must also collect and pass along fines, penalties, and forfeitures tied to Postal Service matters. It can fix or pay the account of a postmaster or an enlisted person doing postal work to cover losses of Postal Service money, stamps, or other accountable papers. It can set penalties if people fail to turn in accounts. If someone has a disability or is claimed to owe money related to Postal Service officers, employees, operations, or business, the Postal Service must decide if it should act. If it decides to act, it can remove the disability or settle, release, or cancel the claim on terms it thinks fair.

Title 39, §2601

Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Postal Service—

(1)shall collect debts due the Postal Service;

(2)shall collect and remit fines, penalties, and forfeitures arising out of matters affecting the Postal Service;

(3)may adjust, pay, or credit the account of a postmaster or of an enlisted person of an Armed Force performing postal duties, for any loss of Postal Service funds, papers, postage, or other stamped stock or accountable paper; and

(4)may prescribe penalties for failure to render accounts.

(b)In all cases of disability or alleged liability for any sum of money by way of damages or otherwise, under any provision of law in relation to the officers, employees, operations, or business of the Postal Service, the Postal Service shall determine whether the interests of the Postal Service probably require the exercise of its powers over the same. Upon the determination, the Postal Service on such terms as it deems just and expedient, may—

(1)remove the disability; or

(2)compromise, release, or discharge the claim for such sum of money and damages.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in concluding provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

§2601 Collection and Adjustment of Debts