
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-384 Section 1(a)]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-384 Section 2(a)]
[CITE: 39USC3622]

 
                        TITLE 39--POSTAL SERVICE
 
                          PART IV--MAIL MATTER
 
             CHAPTER 36--POSTAL RATES, CLASSES, AND SERVICES
 
           SUBCHAPTER II--PERMANENT RATES AND CLASSES OF MAIL
 
Sec. 3622. Rates and fees

    (a) From time to time the Postal Service shall request the Postal 
Rate Commission to submit a recommended decision on changes in a rate or 
rates of postage or in a fee or fees for postal services if the Postal 
Service determines that such changes would be in the public interest and 
in accordance with the policies of this title. The Postal Service may 
submit such suggestions for rate adjustments as it deems suitable.
    (b) Upon receiving a request, the Commission shall make a 
recommended decision on the request for changes in rates or fees in each 
class of mail or type of service in accordance with the policies of this 
title and the following factors:
        (1) the establishment and maintenance of a fair and equitable 
    schedule;
        (2) the value of the mail service actually provided each class 
    or type of mail service to both the sender and the recipient, 
    including but not limited to the collection, mode of transportation, 
    and priority of delivery;
        (3) the requirement that each class of mail or type of mail 
    service bear the direct and indirect postal costs attributable to 
    that class or type plus that portion of all other costs of the 
    Postal Service reasonably assignable to such class or type;
        (4) the effect of rate increases upon the general public, 
    business mail users, and enterprises in the private sector of the 
    economy engaged in the delivery of mail matter other than letters;
        (5) the available alternative means of sending and receiving 
    letters and other mail matter at reasonable costs;
        (6) the degree of preparation of mail for delivery into the 
    postal system performed by the mailer and its effect upon reducing 
    costs to the Postal Service;
        (7) simplicity of structure for the entire schedule and simple, 
    identifiable relationships between the rates or fees charged the 
    various classes of mail for postal services;
        (8) the educational, cultural, scientific, and informational 
    value to the recipient of mail matter; and
        (9) such other factors as the Commission deems appropriate.

    (c) Compliance with any provision of the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) shall not be considered by 
the Commission in determining whether to increase rates and shall not 
otherwise affect the service of the Postal Service.

(Pub. L. 91-375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 760; Pub. L. 94-421, Sec. 10, 
Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1311; Pub. L. 105-241, Sec. 5, Sept. 28, 1998, 
112 Stat. 1573.)

                       References in Text

    The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in 
subsec. (c), is Pub. L. 91-596, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1590, as 
amended, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (Sec. 651 et 
seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the 
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 651 of Title 29 and 
Tables.


                               Amendments

    1998--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105-241 added subsec. (c).
    1976--Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 94-421 added par. (8) and 
redesignated former par. (8) as (9).

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 3624, 3641 of this title.
