Sec. 205. Service standards and performance ratings
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Section 3691 of title 39, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: In this section— the term Commission means the Postal Regulatory Commission; the term national service standards means the service standards established by the Commission under subsection (b); the term performance targets means the targets established by the Commission under subsection (e)(1)(A); and the terms urban , suburban , and rural have the meanings given those terms under regulations promulgated by the Commission under subsection (e)(1)(B).
The Postal Service, in consultation with the Commission as provided under paragraph (2), shall by regulation establish and regularly revise a uniform set of national service standards for market-dominant products based on— the finances of the Postal Service; the ability of the Postal Service to meet the national service standards; and the ability of Postal Service customers to receive fair and reliable service. If the Postal Service determines that there should be a change in the national service standards, the Postal Service shall submit a proposal to the Commission requesting an advisory opinion on the change in accordance with subparagraph (B).
Section 3661 shall apply to a request for an advisory opinion under subparagraph
(A)of this paragraph, except that the Postal Service may not implement a proposed national service standard earlier than the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Postal Service submits to the President and Congress the response to the advisory opinion of the Commission on the proposal required under section 3661(b)(3). The national service standards shall be designed to achieve the following objectives: To ensure that the Postal Service meets the universal service obligation, including the obligation to preserve regular and effective access to postal services in all communities, including those in rural areas or where post offices are not self-sustaining. To enhance the value of postal services to both senders and recipients. To reasonably assure Postal Service customers delivery reliability, speed and frequency consistent with reasonable rates and best business practices. To provide a system of objective performance measurements for each market-dominant product as a basis for measurement of Postal Service performance, in accordance with subsection (e). To ensure that performance is as strong as possible under the applicable national service standard. In establishing or revising the national service standards, the Postal Service shall take into account— the actual level of service that Postal Service customers receive under any service guidelines previously established by the Postal Service or service standards established under this section; the degree of customer satisfaction with Postal Service performance in the acceptance, processing, and delivery of mail; the needs of Postal Service customers, including those with physical impairments; mail volume and revenues projected for future years; the projected growth in the number of addresses the Postal Service will be required to serve in future years; the current and projected future cost of serving Postal Service customers; the effect of changes in technology, demographics, and population distribution on the efficient and reliable operation of the postal delivery system; and the policies of this title and such other factors as the Postal Service determines appropriate. Each year, the Commission, in consultation with the Postal Service, shall by regulation establish reasonable targets for performance to ensure that mail service for all postal customers meets the national service standards. For purposes of establishing performance targets, the Commission— shall promulgate regulations to define the terms urban , suburban , and rural ; in defining the terms under clause (i), shall— consider— the recommendations of the report submitted to the Commission under section 201(e) of the Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 ; and existing definitions of those terms that are in use by the Postal Service, the Federal Government, and other sources; and incorporate stakeholder input; and shall categorize each 3-digit zip code area as an urban, suburban, or rural community. The Commission shall rate the performance of the Postal Service with respect to— each 3-digit zip code area, postal district, and operational area; all postal districts— by urban, suburban, or rural category; and nationwide; all operational areas— by urban, suburban, or rural category; and nationwide; market-dominant products nationwide; and first-class mail nationwide. Subject to subparagraph (B), the Postal Service shall publish on the website of the Postal Service the ratings recorded under paragraph (2)— covering a period of not less than 24 months; and categorized in accordance with that paragraph. To the extent that the Postal Service considers any information required to be reported under subparagraph
(A)to be commercially sensitive or proprietary in nature, the Commission shall determine the level of information that shall be publicly disclosed. The regulations promulgated pursuant to this section (and any revisions thereto), and any violations thereof, shall be subject to review upon complaint under sections 3662 and 3663. If the Postal Service fails to meet the performance targets, the Commission shall require the Postal Service to develop a plan to make specific operational corrections under the control of the Postal Service that will cause the performance targets to be met within 1 year of the date of noncompliance. Not later than 180 days after the date of noncompliance, the Postal Service shall submit the plan required under paragraph
(1)to the Commission. The Commission shall determine whether the plan submitted by the Postal Service under paragraph
(2)is sufficient to improve performance to meet the performance targets. If the Commission determines under subparagraph
(A)that the Postal Service plan is not sufficient, the Commission may remand the plan to the Postal Service for revision. If the Commission remands a plan to the Postal Service under subparagraph (B), the Postal Service shall have 30 days to revise and resubmit the plan to the Commission. Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Commission approves a plan of the Postal Service under paragraph (3), the Postal Service shall fully implement the plan. The Commission shall periodically— review the appropriateness of the national service standards; and submit to Congress a report on the review conducted under paragraph (1). . The table of sections for subchapter VII of chapter 36 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691 and inserting the following: 3691. Modern service standards and performance ratings. . Not later than 180 days after the date on which the report is submitted to the Commission under section 201(e)(2), the Commission shall submit to Congress an extensive report that includes— a determination as to whether the service standards for market-dominant products in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act achieve the objectives and factors set forth under section 3691 of title 39, United States Code, as amended by this section; and recommendations as to how delivery service to postal customers could be improved based on the financial condition of the Postal Service. Subject to paragraph (2), during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Postal Service may not revise the service standards for market-dominant products in a manner that lengthens delivery times. The Commission may extend the 5-year period described in paragraph
(1)by any length of time that the Commission determines appropriate if, as of the last day of that period, the Commission determines that the Postal Service is not meeting the performance targets established under subsection
(e)of section 3691 of title 39, United States Code, as added by this section.