Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1976

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 94-1444)

Postal Reorganization Act Amendments - Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1976 and 1977 to be applied against the accumulated operating indebtedness of the Postal Service as of September 30, 1976 and September 30, 1977. Provides that during the period from the appropriation of the first $500,000,000 until March 15, 1977, the Service shall not effect rate or fee increases, shall not provide lesser types of postal service, and shall not lose any post office where 35 or more families regularly receive mail. Requires door deliverly or curbline delivery during such period to all permanent residential addresses.

Requires the Postal Service during an interim period to provide door delivery or curbline delivery to all permanent residential addresses to which service has begun on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Directs the Postal Service to present to the Committees on Post Office and Civil Service and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives sufficient copies of the budget of the Postal Service for the fiscal year which funds are requested, and a comprehensive planning statement. Requires the Postal Service to appear before such legislative committees no later than March 15 of each year to give testimony with respect to such budget and statement.

Prohibits appropriations made under this Act from being utilized in a manner as to effect a reduction of more than ten percent in the Parcel Post rates.

Directs the Postal Rate Commission to reply to the Postal Service within ten months after a request has been made for a change in rates or fees. Authorizes the Postal Service to establish temporary changes in postage rates if the Rate Commission fails to respond as required by this Act. Limits the amount of any such temporary rate increase to an amount sufficient to equal the total estimated costs of the Postal Service.

Establishes a Commission on Postal Service which shall report by March 15, 1977 to the President and the Congress on the problems facing the Service, and shall 60 days thereafter cease to exist. Authorizes necessary appropriations for such purpose.

Requires the Postal Service to provide adequate notice 60 days prior to the closing date or consolidation of a post office to insure persons an opportunity to present their views. Specifies the factors to be considered in deciding whether or not to close a postal facility. Permits the appeal of any such decision to close or consolidate a postal facility to any United States court of appeals.

Deems college catalogs and looseleaf publications "periodicals" for the purpose of admission in the postal system as second-class mail.

Extends nonprofit mailing status to publications relating to a State fish or wildlife agency. Broadens the definition of an agricultural nonprofit association or organization to include associations engaged in the harvesting of marine life.