H.R. 2825: Postal Service Clusterbox Responsibility Act

This bill is known as the Postal Service Clusterbox Responsibility Act and it aims to update the laws pertaining to the maintenance of cluster box units by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Here are the key points summarized in layman's terms:

Maintenance of Cluster Box Units

The bill requires the USPS to continue maintaining cluster box units that it has historically looked after. This includes:

• Repairing and replacing cluster box units when necessary.
• Adding mailboxes to these units if there's a demonstrated need.

Determining Coverage for Maintenance

The USPS will be responsible for determining whether a cluster box unit qualifies as a "covered cluster box unit," meaning a unit that it has primarily maintained for at least 20 years. This determination involves:

• A covered person (an individual or entity responsible for the unit) requesting a decision from the USPS.
• Providing documentation that shows the USPS has mainly maintained the unit for a minimum of 20 years.
• Allowing the USPS to conduct an investigation to verify the information.
• The USPS must make this determination within one month of receiving the application.

Adding Mail Receptacles

If the USPS determines that an additional mailbox is required for a covered cluster box unit, it will add the mailbox. The request for an additional mailbox can be made by the covered person. If someone else adds a mailbox legally, the USPS will also maintain that unit.

Maintenance by Others

The bill makes it clear that other individuals or entities can also perform maintenance on a covered cluster box unit without affecting the USPS's responsibilities.

Limitations on Maintenance Responsibilities

The USPS is not obligated to perform maintenance that:

• Is not necessary for the cluster box's basic functionality.
• Results from intentional damage caused by the responsible person or changes not necessary for home delivery.
• Relates to the structure of a building housing the mailbox.

Reimbursement for Maintenance Costs

If the USPS incurs costs to perform maintenance due to legal liabilities (e.g., damages), it can request reimbursement from the involved parties.

Termination of Maintenance Responsibilities

A covered cluster box unit will stop being classified as such if:

• The responsible person withdraws permission for maintenance.
• There’s a refusal to comply with reimbursement requests.
• The USPS ceases mail delivery to the unit's addresses.

Establishment of a Maintenance Fund

The bill creates the Cluster Box Unit Maintenance Fund, which funds the maintenance required by this bill without yearly limitations. The USPS can access and withdraw funds as needed for maintenance activities specified in the bill.

Definitions

It defines several terms essential to the bill:

• Cluster box unit: A centralized unit containing individual locked compartments for mail delivery.
• Covered cluster box unit: A unit owned by a private individual or entity that the USPS has maintained primarily for at least 20 years.
• Covered person: The individual or entity that can give or withdraw permission for USPS to maintain the box.
• Primarily maintained: Indicates that the USPS has paid for or carried out most of the necessary maintenance for the box.

Regulatory Requirements

The USPS has 180 days from the enactment of this bill to issue regulations to implement the changes outlined in this bill.

Relevant Companies

None found