Skip to main content
HR 1262 112th Congress House

Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act

Official title: To reform the United States Postal Service in order to fulfill its constitutional mandate, to improve its efficiency, to help it meet its universal service obl… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To reform the United States Postal Service in order to fulfill its constitutional mandate, to improve its efficiency, to help it meet its universal service obligation, and to facilitate private sector economic growth.

Introduced: March 30, 2011 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAlcoholic beveragesBusiness investment and capitalBuy American requirements
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Computers and information technologyElections, voting, political campaign regulationEnergy efficiency and conservationFood industry and servicesGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehiclesPostal servicePublic contracts and procurementRetail and wholesale tradesSecuritiesSmall businessU.S. Postal Service
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 1, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy.
Mar 30, 2011
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 30, 2011
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action April 1, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act - Urges the Postal Service to consider: (1) a simplified rate structure for election ballots sent by voters; (2) creating a Forever Box for customers to mail parcels of a certain size, analogous to the Forever Stamp; and (3) establishing and marketing packages of postal services and products.

Requires the Postal Service to implement a plan to replace or convert, by January 1, 2017, 2,000 gasoline-powered delivery vehicles with electric vehicles manufactured in the United States. Authorizes the Post Service to: (1) borrow money and issue obligations as necessary to carry out such plan or to help finance energy efficiency projects for operations and facilities; and (2) use its capabilities, including its vehicles, to provide services, other than postal services, to generate revenue if providing such service is consistent with the public interest.

Requires the Postal Service to submit a plan on the co-location of post offices at retail facilities while ensuring continued service to small communities and rural areas.

Allows wine or malt beverages to be mailed by a licensed winery or brewery for direct delivery by the Postal Service to an addressee who is at least 21 years of age.

Requires the Postal Service to study and report on: (1) ways to promote the use of transpromotional mailings (from more than one source) and consolidated mailings (from more than one agency), and (2) the costs to executive agencies of sending mail by using the Postal Service compared to other carriers.

Authorizes the Postal Service to: (1) enter arrangements whereby the sender may defer payment of postage until the item has been delivered; (2) promote the creation of mailing pools to allow members to take advantage of postage rates applicable to bulk mailings and other discounts; and (3) carry out a pilot program to test an integrated electronic system for the receipt, storage, transport, and delivery of mail directed to physical addresses and post office boxes.

Establishes an advocate for competition in the Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission. Requires the Postmaster General and the Commission to issue a policy on contracting officer delegations of authority.

Sets forth provisions concerning postal contracts, including requirements for: (1) posting justifications of noncompetitive contracts, and (2) a review of ethical issues relating to proposed contracts.

Requires the Postal Service to: (1) publish notice and provide a period for public comment before adding, eliminating, or modifying any mailing rules; and (2) report on implementing special classifications and service agreements in connection with the establishment and operation of a system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products.

Requires the Postal Service and the Commission to report on creating a not-for-profit venture capital program to help the Postal Service identify and develop electronic communication products that would increase net revenue.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1262: Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1262/
MLA
"H.R. 1262: Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1262/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1262, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1262/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1262: Reform the Postal Service for the 21st Century Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1262/)
Report a problem