Postal Rate Commission
Encyclopedia
The United States
Postal Regulatory Commission (or PRC) is an independent regulatory agency created by the Postal Reorganization Act
of 1970. Like the Postal Service
, it is legally referred to as an independent establishment of the executive branch.
The Postal Reorganization Act
of 1970 created the PRC—originally named the Postal Rate Commission—to set the rates for different classes of mail by holding hearings on rates proposed by the USPS
.
From 1970 through 2006, the PRC also had oversight authority over the USPS
in areas besides rates changes. Specifically, that additional oversight consisted of conducting public, on-the-record hearings concerning proposed mail classification or major service changes and of recommending actions to be taken by the postal Governors
.
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) enacted on December 20, 2006, made several changes to the PRC. Besides giving the body its current name, the PAEA significantly strengthened the Commission's authority to serve as a counterbalance to new flexibility granted to the Postal Service
in setting postal rates.
The Act requires the Commission to develop and maintain regulations for a modern system of rate regulation, consult with the Postal Service
on delivery service standards and performance measures, consult with the Department of State
on international postal policies, prevent cross-subsidization or other anticompetitive postal practices, promote transparency and accountability, and adjudicate complaints. It required the Postal Service to fund within 10 years the pensions for all employees for 75 years.
The law also assigns new and continuing oversight responsibilities to the PRC, including annual determinations of USPS
compliance with applicable laws, development of accounting practices and procedures for the Postal Service
, review of the Universal Service requirement, and assurance of transparency through periodic reports. New enforcement tools given to the PRC include subpoena power, authority to direct the Postal Service
to adjust rates and to take other remedial actions, and levying fines in cases of deliberate noncompliance with applicable postal laws.
and confirmed by the Senate
, similar to many other high-level Executive Branch office holders. As with postal Governors
, PRC commissioners are permitted to serve for one additional "holdover" year beyond the end of their term if a replacement has not been nominated and confirmed. The President
designates one Commissioner as Chairman of the Commission. The Commissioners together designate one of their number as a Vice-Chairman for a one-year term.
The current members are: Term expires:
Chairman Ruth Y. Goldway (D) Nov, 22, 2014
Vice Chairman Mark Acton (R) Oct, 14, 2010
Commissioner Nanci E. Langley (D) Nov, 22, 2012
Commissioner Tony Hammond (R) Oct, 14, 2010
Mr. Richard G. Taub has been nominated for the 5th seat, but is still awaiting Senate confirmation.
The PRC is organized into five operating offices: Accountability and Compliance, General Counsel, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Secretary, and Inspector General.
rate changes, new product classification, post office closings, et cetera
. This office also evaluates various business aspects of the Postal Service
, including accounting records and financial reports, based on their accuracy, conformance to PRC standards, and similar factors.
This office also assists the PRC in creating its the annual report to the President
and Congress.
, the federal government
, the media, or the general populace.
office that seeks out fraud and abuse in the PRC programs and operations, auditing
cases of fraud and abuses when necessary.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Postal Regulatory Commission (or PRC) is an independent regulatory agency created by the Postal Reorganization Act
Postal Reorganization Act
The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 abolished the United States Post Office Department, a part of the cabinet, and created the United States Postal Service, a corporation-like independent agency with an official monopoly on the delivery of mail in the United States. was signed by President...
of 1970. Like the Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
, it is legally referred to as an independent establishment of the executive branch.
Origins: 1970-2006
Postal Reorganization Act
The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 abolished the United States Post Office Department, a part of the cabinet, and created the United States Postal Service, a corporation-like independent agency with an official monopoly on the delivery of mail in the United States. was signed by President...
of 1970 created the PRC—originally named the Postal Rate Commission—to set the rates for different classes of mail by holding hearings on rates proposed by the USPS
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
.
From 1970 through 2006, the PRC also had oversight authority over the USPS
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
in areas besides rates changes. Specifically, that additional oversight consisted of conducting public, on-the-record hearings concerning proposed mail classification or major service changes and of recommending actions to be taken by the postal Governors
Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is an eleven-member board comparable to a board of directors of a private corporation, except in service of the American postal system. Nine members are appointed by the President of the United States, subject to confirmation by the Senate...
.
Changes under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 - H.R. 6407
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
in setting postal rates.
The Act requires the Commission to develop and maintain regulations for a modern system of rate regulation, consult with the Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
on delivery service standards and performance measures, consult with the Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
on international postal policies, prevent cross-subsidization or other anticompetitive postal practices, promote transparency and accountability, and adjudicate complaints. It required the Postal Service to fund within 10 years the pensions for all employees for 75 years.
The law also assigns new and continuing oversight responsibilities to the PRC, including annual determinations of USPS
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
compliance with applicable laws, development of accounting practices and procedures for the Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
, review of the Universal Service requirement, and assurance of transparency through periodic reports. New enforcement tools given to the PRC include subpoena power, authority to direct the Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
to adjust rates and to take other remedial actions, and levying fines in cases of deliberate noncompliance with applicable postal laws.
Composition
The PRC is composed of five Commissioners—each of whom is appointed to a six-year term of office by the PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and confirmed by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, similar to many other high-level Executive Branch office holders. As with postal Governors
Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is an eleven-member board comparable to a board of directors of a private corporation, except in service of the American postal system. Nine members are appointed by the President of the United States, subject to confirmation by the Senate...
, PRC commissioners are permitted to serve for one additional "holdover" year beyond the end of their term if a replacement has not been nominated and confirmed. The President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
designates one Commissioner as Chairman of the Commission. The Commissioners together designate one of their number as a Vice-Chairman for a one-year term.
The current members are: Term expires:
Chairman Ruth Y. Goldway (D) Nov, 22, 2014
Vice Chairman Mark Acton (R) Oct, 14, 2010
Commissioner Nanci E. Langley (D) Nov, 22, 2012
Commissioner Tony Hammond (R) Oct, 14, 2010
Mr. Richard G. Taub has been nominated for the 5th seat, but is still awaiting Senate confirmation.
The PRC is organized into five operating offices: Accountability and Compliance, General Counsel, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Secretary, and Inspector General.
Office of Accountability & Compliance
The Office of Accountability & Compliance has the responsibility to formulate and technically analyze PRC policy recommendations—both domestic and foreign. Some of the domestic policy analyses of this office include USPSUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
rate changes, new product classification, post office closings, et cetera
Et cetera
Et cetera is a Latin expression that means "and other things", or "and so forth". It is taken directly from the Latin expression which literally means "and the rest " and is a loan-translation of the Greek "καὶ τὰ ἕτερα"...
. This office also evaluates various business aspects of the Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
, including accounting records and financial reports, based on their accuracy, conformance to PRC standards, and similar factors.
This office also assists the PRC in creating its the annual report to the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and Congress.
Office of General Counsel
The Office of General Counsel assists the PRC with legal issues involving its responsibilities. This office also serves as defense counsel for the PRC when it is the defendant in court and oversees complaints received by the PRC.Office of Public Affairs & Government Relations
The Office of Public Affairs & Government Relations manages all communications of the PRC, whether with the USPSUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
, the federal government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
, the media, or the general populace.
Office of Secretary & Administration
The Office of Secretary & Administration records and preserves PRC actions and documents. It also helps to manage the business-like aspects of the PRC.Office of Inspector General
The Office of Inspector General is a watchdogWatchdog
Watchdog may refer to:Dog*Guard dog, a dog that barks to alert its owners of an intruder's presenceIn computing* Watchdog timer, a device in computer softwareConsumer protection...
office that seeks out fraud and abuse in the PRC programs and operations, auditing
Audit
The general definition of an audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product. The term most commonly refers to audits in accounting, but similar concepts also exist in project management, quality management, and energy conservation.- Accounting...
cases of fraud and abuses when necessary.
See also
- Independent agencies of the United States governmentIndependent agencies of the United States governmentIndependent agencies of the United States federal government are those agencies that exist outside of the federal executive departments...
- United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal ServiceThe United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
- Board of Governors of the United States Postal ServiceBoard of Governors of the United States Postal ServiceThe Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is an eleven-member board comparable to a board of directors of a private corporation, except in service of the American postal system. Nine members are appointed by the President of the United States, subject to confirmation by the Senate...