(e) If the Postal Rate Commission does not transmit to the Governors within 90 days after the Postal Service has submitted, or within 30 days after the Postal Service has resubmitted, to the Commission a request for a recommended decision on a change in the mail classification schedule (after such schedule is established under section 3623 of this title), the Postal Service, upon 10 days' notice in the Federal Register, may place into effect temporary changes in the mail classification schedule in accordance with proposed changes under consideration by the Commission. Any temporary change shall be effective for a period ending not later than 30 days after the Commission has transmitted its recommended decision to the Governors. (f) If, under section 3628 of this title, a court orders a matter returned to the Commission for further consideration, the Postal Service, with the consent of the Commission, may place into effect temporary changes in rates of postage, and fees for postal services, or in the mail classification schedule. §3642. Special authority relating to reduced-rate categories of mail (a) In order to permit the timely implementation of section 3626(a)(3), the Postal Service may establish temporary rates of postage for any class of mail or kind of mailer referred to in section 3626(a)(3)(A). (b) Any exercise of authority under this section shall be in conformance with the requirements of section 3626(a), subject to the following: (1) All attributable costs and institutional-costs contributions assumed shall be the same as those which were assumed for purposes of the then most recent proceedings under subchapter II pursuant to which rates of postage for the class of mail or kind of mailer involved were last adjusted. (2) Any temporary rate established under this section shall take effect upon such date as the Postal Service may determine, except that (A) such a rate may take effect only after 10 days' notice in the Federal Register; and (B) no such rate may take effect after September 30, 1998. (3) A temporary rate under this section may remain in effect no longer than the last day of the fiscal year in which it first takes effect. (4) Authority under this section may not be exercised in a manner that would result in more than 1 change taking effect under this section, during the same fiscal year, in the rates of postage for a particular class of mail or kind of mailer, except as provided in paragraph (5). (5) Nothing in paragraph (4) shall prevent an adjustment under this section in rates for a class of mail or kind of mailer with respect to which any rates took effect under this section earlier in the same fiscal year if (A) the rates established for such class of mail or kind of mailer by the earlier adjustment are superseded by new rates established under subchapter II; and (B) authority under this paragraph has not previously been exercised with respect to such class of mail or kind of mailer based on the new rates referred to in subparagraph (A). (c) The Postal Service may prescribe any regulations which may be necessary to carry out this section, including provisions governing the coordination of adjustments under this section with any other adjustments under this title. (d) Notwithstanding any provision of section 3626(a)(3)(B) or subsection (a) of this section, any temporary rates established under this section for non-letter-shaped mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title shall not be lower than the rates in effect for such mail on September 30, 1993. SUBCHAPTER IV-POSTAL SERVICES AND COMPLAINTS § 3661. Postal services (a) The Postal Service shall develop and promote adequate and efficient postal services. (b) When the Postal Service determines that there should be a change in the nature of postal services which will generally affect service on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis, it shall submit a proposal, within a reasonable time prior to the effective date of such proposal, to the Postal Rate Commission requesting an advisory opinion on the change. (c) The Commission shall not issue its opinion on any proposal until an opportunity for hearing on the record under sections 556 and 557 of title 5 has been accorded to the Postal Service, users of the mail, and an officer of the Commission who shall be required to represent the interests of the general public. The opinion shall be in writing and shall include a certification by each Commissioner agreeing with the opinion that in his judgment the opinion conforms to the policies established under this title. § 3662. Rate and service complaints Interested parties who believe the Postal Service is charging rates which do not conform to the policies set out in this title or who believe that they are not receiving postal service in accordance with the policies of this title may lodge a complaint with the Postal Rate Commission in such form and in such manner as it may prescribe. The Commission may in its discretion hold hearings on such complaint. If the Commission, in a matter covered by subchapter II of this chapter, determines the complaint to be justified, it shall, after proceedings in conformity with section 3624 of this title, issue a recommended decision which shall be acted upon in accordance with the provisions of section 3625 of this title and subject to review in accordance with the provisions of section 3628 of this title. If a matter not covered by subchapter II of this chapter is involved, and the Commission after hearing finds the complaint to be justified, it shall render a public report thereon to the Postal Service which shall take such action as it deems appropriate. § 3663. Annual report on international services (a) Not later than July 1 of each year, the Postal Rate Commission shall transmit to each House of Congress a comprehensive report of the costs, revenues, and volumes accrued by the Postal Service in connection with mail matter conveyed between the United States and other countries for the previous fiscal year. (b) Not later than March 15 of each year, the Postal Service shall provide to the Postal Rate Commission such data as the Commission may require to prepare the report required under subsection (a) of this section. Data shall be provided in sufficient detail to enable the Commission to analyze the costs, revenues, and volumes for each international mail product or service, under the methods determined appropriate by the Commission for the analysis of rates for domestic mail. SUBCHAPTER V-GENERAL §3681. Reimbursement No mailer may be reimbursed for any amount paid under any rate or fee which, after such payment, is determined to have been unlawful after proceedings in accordance with the provisions of section 3628 of this title, or is superseded by a lower rate or fee established under subchapter II of this chapter. § 3682. Size and weight limits The Postal Service may establish size and weight limitations for mail matter in the same manner as prescribed for changes in mail classification under subchapter II of this chapter. § 3683. Uniform rates for books; films; other materials (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the rates of postage established for mail matter enumerated in former section 4554 of this title shall be uniform for such mail of the same weight, and shall not vary with the distance transported. (b) The rates of postage under former section 4554(b)(1) of this title shall not be effective except with respect to mailings which(1) constitute materials specified in former section 4554(b)(2) of this title; and (2) are sent between (A) an institution, organization, or association listed in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such former section 4554(b)(1) and any other such institution, organization, or association; (B) an institution, organization, or association referred to in subparagraph (A) and any individual (other than an individual having a financial interest in the sale, promotion, or distribution of the materials involved); (C) an institution, organization, or association referred to in subparagraph (A) and a qualified nonprofit organization (as defined in former section 4452(d) of this title) that is not such an institution, organization, or association; or (D) an institution, organization, or association referred to in subparagraph (A) and a publisher, if such institution, organization, or association has placed an order to pur chase such materials for delivery to such institution, organization, or association. § 3684. Limitations Except as provided in section 3627 of this title, no provision of this chapter shall be construed to give authority to the Governors to make any change in any provision of section 3682 or 3683 or chapter 30, 32, or 34 of this title. § 3685. Filing of information relating to periodical publications (a) Each owner of a publication having periodical publication mail privileges shall furnish to the Postal Service at least once a year, and shall publish in such publication once a year, information in such form and detail and at such time as the Postal Service may require with respect to (1) the identity of the editor, managing editor, publishers, and owners; (2) the identity of the corporation and stockholders thereof, if the publication is owned by a corporation; (3) the identity of known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders; (4) the extent and nature of the circulation of the publication, including, but not limited to, the number of copies distributed, the methods of distribution, and the extent to which such circulation is paid in whole or in part; and (5) such other information as the Postal Service may deem necessary to determine whether the publication meets the standards for periodical publication mail privileges. The Postal Service shall not require the names of persons owning less than 1 percent of the total amount of stocks, bonds, mortgages, or other securities. (b) Each publication having such mail privileges shall furnish to the Postal Service information in such form and detail, and at such times, as the Postal Service requires to determine whether the publication continues to qualify for such privileges. (c) The Postal Service shall make appropriate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, including provision for suspension or revocation of periodical publication mail privileges for failure to furnish the required information. 5002. Transportation of mail of adjoining countries through the United States. 5003. Establishment of post roads. 5004. Discontinuance of service on post roads. 5005. Mail transportation. 5006. Lien on compensation of contractor. 5007. Free transportation of postal employees. § 5001. Provisions for carrying mail The Postal Service shall provide for the transportation of mail in accordance with the policies established under section 101(e) and (f) of this title and the provisions of this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Postal Service may make arrangements on a temporary basis for the transportation of mail when, as determined by the Postal Service, an emergency arises. Such arrangements shall terminate when the emergency ceases and the Postal Service is promptly able to secure transportation services under other provisions of this title. § 5002. Transportation of mail of adjoining countries through the United States The Postal Service, with the consent of the President, may make arrangements to allow the mail of countries adjoining the United States to be transported over the territory of the United States from one point in that country to any other point therein, at the expense of the country to which the mail belongs, upon obtaining a like privilege for the transportation of United States mail through the country to which the privilege is granted. § 5003. Establishment of post roads The following are post roads: (1) the waters of the United States, during the time the mail is carried thereon; (2) railroads or parts of railroads and air routes in operation; (3) canals, during the time the mail is carried thereon; the mail is carried thereon; and |