
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(b)-(e)]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-384 Section 1(b)-(e)]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-384 Section 2(b)]
[CITE: 39USC3626]

 
                        TITLE 39--POSTAL SERVICE
 
                          PART IV--MAIL MATTER
 
             CHAPTER 36--POSTAL RATES, CLASSES, AND SERVICES
 
           SUBCHAPTER II--PERMANENT RATES AND CLASSES OF MAIL
 
Sec. 3626. Reduced rates

    (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, rates of 
postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 4358, 
4452(b), 4452(c), 4454(b), or 4454(c) \1\ of this title shall be 
established in accordance with the applicable provisions of this 
chapter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ So in original. Probably should be ``4554(b), or 4554(c)''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) For the purpose of this subsection--
        (A) the term ``costs attributable'', as used with respect to a 
    class of mail or kind of mailer, means the direct and indirect 
    postal costs attributable to such class of mail or kind of mailer 
    (excluding any other costs of the Postal Service);
        (B) the term ``regular-rate category'' means any class of mail 
    or kind of mailer, other than a class or kind referred to in 
    paragraph (3)(A) or section 2401(c); and
        (C) the term ``institutional-costs contribution'', as used with 
    respect to a class of mail or kind of mailer, means that portion of 
    the estimated revenues to the Postal Service from such class of mail 
    or kind of mailer which remains after subtracting an amount equal to 
    the estimated costs attributable to such class of mail or kind of 
    mailer.

    (3)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (4) or (5), rates of postage 
for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 4358, 
4452(b), 4452(c), 4554(b), or 4554(c) of this title shall be established 
in a manner such that the estimated revenues to be received by the 
Postal Service from such class of mail or kind of mailer shall be equal 
to the sum of--
        (i) the estimated costs attributable to such class of mail or 
    kind of mailer; and
        (ii) the product derived by multiplying the estimated costs 
    referred to in clause (i) by the applicable percentage under 
    subparagraph (B).

    (B) The applicable percentage for any class of mail or kind of 
mailer referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be the product derived by 
multiplying--
        (i) the percentage which, for the most closely corresponding 
    regular-rate category, the institutional-costs contribution for such 
    category represents relative to the estimated costs attributable to 
    such category of mail, times
        (ii)(I) one-twelfth, for fiscal year 1994;
        (II) one-sixth, for fiscal year 1995;
        (III) one-fourth, for fiscal year 1996;
        (IV) one-third, for fiscal year 1997;
        (V) five-twelfths, for fiscal year 1998; and
        (VI) one-half, for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1998.

    (C) Temporary special authority to permit the timely implementation 
of the preceding provisions of this paragraph is provided under section 
3642.
    (D) For purposes of establishing rates of postage under this 
subchapter for any of the classes of mail or kinds of mailers referred 
to in subparagraph (A), subclauses (I) through (V) of subparagraph 
(B)(ii) shall be deemed amended by striking the fraction specified in 
each such subclause and inserting ``one-half''.
    (4) The rates for the advertising portion of any mail matter under 
former section 4358(d) or 4358(e) of this title shall be equal to the 
rates for the advertising portion of the most closely corresponding 
regular-rate category of mail, except that if the advertising portion 
does not exceed 10 percent of the issue of the publication involved, the 
advertising portion shall be subject to the same rates as apply to the 
nonadvertising portion.
    (5) The rates for any advertising under former section 4358(f) of 
this title shall be equal to 75 percent of the rates for advertising 
contained in the most closely corresponding regular-rate category of 
mail.
    (b)(1) For the purposes of this title, the term ``periodical 
publications'', as used in former section 4351 of this title, includes 
(A) any catalog or other course listing, including mail announcements of 
legal texts which are part of post-bar admission education issued by any 
institution of higher education or by a nonprofit organization engaged 
in continuing legal education; and (B) any looseleaf page or report 
(including any index, instruction for filing, table, or sectional 
identifier which is an integral part of such report) which is designed 
as part of a looseleaf reporting service concerning developments in the 
law or public policy.
    (2) Any material described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 
qualify to be entered and mailed as second class mail in accordance with 
the applicable provisions of former section 4352 through former section 
4357 of this title.
    (3) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``institution of 
higher education'' has the meaning given it by section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, and includes a nonprofit organization that 
coordinates a network of college-level courses that is sponsored 
primarily by nonprofit educational institutions for an older adult 
constituency.
    (c) In the administration of this section, one conservation 
publication published by an agency of a State which is responsible for 
management and conservation of the fish or wildlife resources of such 
State shall be considered a publication of a qualified nonprofit 
organization which qualifies for rates of postage under former section 
4358(d) of this title.
    (d)(1) For purposes of this title, the term ``agricultural'', as 
used in former sections 4358(j)(2), 4452(d), and 4554(b)(1)(B) of this 
title, includes the art or science of cultivating land, harvesting crops 
or marine resources, or raising of livestock.
    (2) In the administration of this section, and for purposes of 
former sections 4358(j)(2), 4452(d), and 4554(b)(1)(B) of this title, 
agricultural organizations or associations shall include any 
organization or association which collects and disseminates information 
or materials relating to agricultural pursuits.
    (e)(1) In the administration of this section, the rates for third-
class mail matter mailed by a qualified political committee shall be the 
rates currently in effect under former section 4452 of this title for 
third-class mail matter mailed by a qualified nonprofit organization.
    (2) For purposes of this subsection--
        (A) the term ``qualified political committee'' means a national 
    or State committee of a political party, the Republican and 
    Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committees, the Democratic National 
    Congressional Committee, and the National Republican Congressional 
    Committee;
        (B) the term ``national committee'' means the organization 
    which, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible 
    for the day-to-day operation of such political party at the national 
    level; and
        (C) the term ``State committee'' means the organization which, 
    by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible for the 
    day-to-day operation of such political party at the State level.

    (f) In the administration of this chapter, the rates for mail under 
former section 4358(g) of this title shall be established without regard 
to either the provisions of such former section 4358(g) or the 
provisions of this section.
    (g)(1) In the administration of this section, the rates for mail 
under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of former section 4358 of this title 
shall not apply to an issue of a publication if the number of copies of 
such issue distributed within the county of publication is less than the 
number equal to the sum of 50 percent of the total paid circulation of 
such issue plus one.
    (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to an issue of 
a publication if the total paid circulation of such issue is less than 
10,000 copies.
    (h) In the administration of this section, the number of copies of a 
subscription publication mailed to nonsubscribers during a calendar year 
at rates under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of former section 4358 of 
this title may not exceed 10 percent of the number of copies of such 
publication mailed at such rates to subscribers.
    [(i) Repealed. Pub. L. 103-123, title VII, Sec. 704(a)(3)(A), Oct. 
28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1269.]
    (j)(1) In the administration of this section, the rates for mail 
under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title shall not apply to 
mail which advertises, promotes, offers, or, for a fee or consideration, 
recommends, describes, or announces the availability of--
        (A) any credit, debit, or charge card, or similar financial 
    instrument or account, provided by or through an arrangement with 
    any person or organization not authorized to mail at the rates for 
    mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title;
        (B) any insurance policy, unless the organization which promotes 
    the purchase of such policy is authorized to mail at the rates for 
    mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title, the 
    policy is designed for and primarily promoted to the members, 
    donors, supporters, or beneficiaries of the organization, and the 
    coverage provided by the policy is not generally otherwise 
    commercially available;
        (C) any travel arrangement, unless the organization which 
    promotes the arrangement is authorized to mail at the rates for mail 
    under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title, the travel 
    contributes substantially (aside from the cultivation of members, 
    donors, or supporters, or the acquisition of income or funds) to one 
    or more of the purposes which constitutes the basis for the 
    organization's authorization to mail at such rates, and the 
    arrangement is designed for and primarily promoted to the members, 
    donors, supporters, or beneficiaries of the organization; or
        (D) any product or service (other than any to which subparagraph 
    (A), (B), or (C) relates), if--
            (i) the sale of such product or the providing of such 
        service is not substantially related (aside from the need, on 
        the part of the organization promoting such product or service, 
        for income or funds or the use it makes of the profits derived) 
        to the exercise or performance by the organization of one or 
        more of the purposes constituting the basis for the 
        organization's authorization to mail at such rates; or
            (ii) the mail matter involved is part of a cooperative 
        mailing (as defined under regulations of the Postal Service) 
        with any person or organization not authorized to mail at the 
        rates for mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this 
        title;

    except that--
            (I) any determination under clause (i) that a product or 
        service is not substantially related to a particular purpose 
        shall be made under regulations which shall be prescribed by the 
        Postal Service and which shall be consistent with standards 
        established by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts with 
        respect to subsections (a) and (c) of section 513 of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
            (II) clause (i) shall not apply if the product involved is a 
        periodical publication described in subsection (m)(2) (including 
        a subscription to receive any such publication); and
            (III) clause (i) shall not apply to space advertising in 
        mail matter that otherwise qualifies for rates under former 
        section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title, and satisfies the 
        content requirements established by the Postal Service for 
        periodical publications: Provided, That such changes in law 
        shall take effect immediately and shall stay in effect hereafter 
        unless the Congress enacts legislation on this matter prior to 
        October 1, 1995.

    (2) Matter shall not be excluded from being mail at the rates for 
mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title, by an 
organization authorized to mail at those rates solely because--
        (A) such matter contains, but is not primarily devoted to, 
    acknowledgements of organizations or individuals who have made 
    donations to the authorized organization; or
        (B) such matter contains, but is not primarily devoted to, 
    references to and a response card or other instructions for making 
    inquiries concerning services or benefits available as a result of 
    membership in the authorized organization: Provided, That 
    advertising, promotional, or application materials specifically 
    concerning such services or benefits are not included.

    (3)(A) Upon request, an organization authorized to mail at the rates 
for mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title shall 
furnish evidence to the Postal Service concerning the eligibility of any 
of its mail matter or mailings to be sent at those rates.
    (B) The Postal Service shall establish procedures to carry out this 
paragraph, including procedures for mailer certification of compliance 
with the conditions specified in paragraph (1)(D) or subsection (m), as 
applicable, and verification of such compliance.
    (k)(1) No person or organization shall mail, or cause to be mailed 
by contractual agreement or otherwise, at the rates for mail under 
former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title, any matter to which 
those rates do not apply.
    (2) The Postal Service may assess a postage deficiency in the amount 
of the unpaid postage against any person or organization which violates 
paragraph (1) of this subsection. This assessment shall be deemed the 
final decision of the Postal Service, unless the party against whom the 
deficiency is assessed appeals it in writing within thirty days to the 
postmaster of the office where the mailing was entered. Such an appeal 
shall be considered by an official designated by the Postal Service, 
other than the postmaster of the office where the mailing was entered, 
who shall issue a decision as soon as practicable. This decision shall 
be deemed final unless the party against whom the deficiency was 
assessed appeals it in writing within thirty days to a further reviewing 
official designated by the Postal Service, who shall issue the final 
decision on the matter.
    (3) The Postal Service shall maintain procedures for the prompt 
collection of postage deficiencies arising from the violation of 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, and may in its discretion, follow the 
issuance of a final decision regarding a deficiency under paragraph (2) 
of this subsection deduct the amount of that deficiency incurred during 
the previous 12 months from any postage accounts or other monies of the 
violator in its possession.
    (l) In the administration of this section, the term ``advertising'', 
as used in former section 4358(j)(2) of this title, does not include the 
publisher's own advertising in a publication published by the official 
highway or development agency of a State.
    (m)(1) In the administration of this section, the rates for mail 
under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title shall not apply to 
mail consisting of products, unless such products--
        (A) were received by the organization as gifts or contributions; 
    or
        (B) are low cost articles (as defined by section 513(h)(2) of 
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).

    (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a periodical 
publication of a qualified nonprofit organization.

(Pub. L. 91-375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 762; Pub. L. 93-328, Sec. 1, 
June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 94-421, Sec. 11, Sept. 24, 1976, 90 
Stat. 1311; Pub. L. 95-593, Sec. 11(c), Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2538; 
Pub. L. 99-272, title XV, Secs. 15102(b)(1), (c), 15104, 15105, Apr. 7, 
1986, 100 Stat. 330, 331; Pub. L. 99-509, title VI, Sec. 6003(a), Oct. 
21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1933; Pub. L. 101-509, title II, Secs. 1(a), 3, Nov. 
5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1397, 1399; Pub. L. 102-141, title II, Oct. 28, 1991, 
105 Stat. 842, 843; Pub. L. 103-123, title VII, Secs. 704(a)(1), (3)(A), 
705(a)-(c), 708(e), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1267, 1269, 1271, 1273; 
Pub. L. 103-329, title VI, Sec. 639, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2432; 
Pub. L. 104-255, Sec. 2, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3169; Pub. L. 105-244, 
title I, Sec. 102(a)(12), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1620.)

                       References in Text

    Former sections 4351 to 4358, 4452, and 4554 of this title, referred 
to in subsecs. (a)-(e)(1), (f), (g)(1), (h), and (j) to (m), mean the 
aforesaid sections which were classified to former Title 39, The Postal 
Service, prior to the general revision and reenactment of Title 39 by 
Pub. L. 91-375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 719.
    Section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in 
subsec. (b)(3), is classified to section 1001 of Title 20, Education.
    Section 513 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in 
subsecs. (j)(1)(D)(I) and (m)(1)(B), is classified to section 513 of 
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
    The phrase ``shall take effect immediately and shall stay in effect 
hereafter'', referred to in subsec. (j)(1)(D)(III), probably means that 
the provision shall take effect Sept. 30, 1994, the date of enactment of 
Pub. L. 103-329, which enacted subsec. (j)(1)(D)(III), and shall stay in 
effect after that date.


                               Amendments

    1998--Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105-244 substituted ``section 101'' 
for ``section 1201(a)'' and struck out ``(20 U.S.C. 1141(a))'' after 
``Act of 1965''.
    1996--Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 104-255 inserted before period ``, and 
includes a nonprofit organization that coordinates a network of college-
level courses that is sponsored primarily by nonprofit educational 
institutions for an older adult constituency''.
    1994--Subsec. (j)(1)(D)(III). Pub. L. 103-329 added cl. (III).
    1993--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-123, Sec. 704(a)(1), amended subsec. 
(a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows:
    ``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, rates 
of postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 
4358, 4452(b), 4452(c), 4554(b), or 4554(c) of this title shall be 
established in accordance with applicable provisions of this chapter.
    ``(2) Rates of postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer 
referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be established in 
accordance with the requirement that the direct and indirect postal 
costs attributable to such class of mail or kind of mailer (excluding 
any other costs of the Postal Service) shall be borne by such class of 
mail or kind of mailer, as the case may be: Provided, however, That with 
respect to mail under former section 4452(b) and 4452(c) of this title 
the preceding limitation shall apply only to rates of postage for letter 
shaped pieces, as such pieces are defined in the associated 
classification and rate schedules.''
    Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103-123, Sec. 704(a)(3)(A), struck out subsec. 
(i) which defined ``reduced-rate category'' and ``regular-rate 
category'' and provided method for determining costs recovered by 
revenues plus appropriations for reduced-rate categories and for the 
purpose of distinguishing costs recovered from regular-rate categories 
and reduced-rate categories and determining appropriation requests 
relating to reduced-rate categories.
    Subsec. (j)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103-123, Sec. 705(a), added subpar. (D).
    Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 103-123, Sec. 705(c), designated existing 
provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
    Subsec. (k), (l). Pub. L. 103-123, Sec. 708(e), redesignated subsec. 
(k), defining ``advertising'', as (l).
    Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 103-123, Sec. 705(b), added subsec. (m).
    1991--Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102-141 amended par. (2) generally. 
Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: ``Rates of postage for a 
class of mail or kind of mailer referred to in paragraph (1) of this 
subsection shall be established in accordance with the requirement that 
the direct and indirect postal costs attributable to such class of mail 
or kind of mailer (excluding any other costs of the Postal Service) 
shall be borne by such class of mail or kind of mailer, as the case may 
be.''
    Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 102-141 inserted ``Subject to the 
requirements of section 2401(c) of this title and paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section with respect to mail under former sections 4452(b) and 
4452(c) of this title,'' before ``This subsection''.
    1990--Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 101-509, Sec. 1(a), added subsec. (j).
    Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101-509, Sec. 3, added subsec. (k) defining 
``advertising''.
    Pub. L. 101-509, Sec. 1(a), added subsec. (k) relating to mailing of 
matter at inapplicable rates.
    1986--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99-272, Sec. 15102(b)(1), amended subsec. 
(a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: ``If the 
rates of postage for any class of mail or kind of mailer under former 
sections 4358, 4359, 4421, 4422, 4452, or 4554 of this title, as such 
rates existed on the effective date of this subchapter, are, on the 
effective date of the first rate decision under this subchapter 
affecting that class or kind, less than the rates established by such 
decision, a separate rate schedule shall be adopted for that class or 
kind effective each time rates are established or changed under this 
subchapter, with annual increases as nearly equal as practicable, so 
that--
        ``(1) the revenues received from rates for mail under former 
    sections 4358, 4452(b) and (c), 4554(b) and (c) shall not, on and 
    after the first day of the sixteenth year following the effective 
    date of the first rate decision applicable to that class or kind, 
    exceed the direct and indirect postal costs attributable to mail of 
    such class or kind (excluding all other costs of the Postal 
    Service);
        ``(2) the rates for mail under former sections 4359, 4421, 4422, 
    and 4554(a) shall be equal, on and after the first day of the eighth 
    year following the effective date of the first rate decision 
    applicable to that class or kind, to the rates that would have been 
    in effect for such mail if this subparagraph had not been enacted; 
    and
        ``(3) the rates for mail under former section 4452(a) shall be 
    equal, on and after the first day of the fifth year following the 
    effective date of the first rate decision applicable to that class 
    or kind, to the rates that would have been in effect for such mail 
    if this subparagraph had not been enacted.
No person who would have been entitled to mail matter under former 
section 4359 of this title shall mail such matter at the rates provided 
under this subsection unless he files annually with the Postal Service a 
written request for permission to mail matter at such rates.''
    Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99-272, Sec. 15102(c), added subsec. (f).
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99-272, Sec. 15104, added subsec. (g).
    Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99-272, Sec. 15105, added subsec. (h).
    Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 99-509 added subsec. (i).
    1978--Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95-593 added subsec. (e).
    1976--Pub. L. 94-421 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) 
and added subsecs. (b) to (d).
    1974--Pub. L. 93-328 substituted ``sixteenth'' for ``tenth'' year in 
subpar. (1), substituted ``under former sections'' for ``under 
sections'', ``eighth'' for ``fifth'' year, and ``subparagraph'' for 
``subsection'' and struck out reference to section ``4452(a)'' after 
``4422,'' in subpar. (2), and added subpar. (3).


                    Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 105-244 effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as 
otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105-244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105-244, 
set out as a note under section 1001 of Title 20, Education.


                    Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

    Section 704(c)(1) of Pub. L. 103-123 provided that: ``The amendments 
made by subsection (a) [enacting section 3642 of this title and amending 
this section and section 3627 of this title] shall apply with respect to 
rates for mail sent after September 30, 1993.''
    Section 705(d) of Pub. L. 103-123 provided that: ``The amendments 
made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to 
mail sent, and the rates for mail sent, after December 31, 1993.''


                    Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

    Amendment by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 101-509 effective 90 days after 
Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1(c) of Pub. L. 101-509, set out as a note 
under section 2401 of this title.


                    Effective Date of 1986 Amendments

    Section 6003(c) of Pub. L. 99-509 provided that: ``The amendments 
made by this section [amending this section and section 2401 of this 
title] shall take effect on January 1, 1989, or on the effective date of 
the next general change in rates and fees under sections 3622 and 3625 
of title 39, United States Code [Apr. 3, 1988, see 53 F.R. 10014], 
whichever is sooner.''
    Section 15102(b)(2) of Pub. L. 99-272 provided that: ``The amendment 
made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply with respect 
to rates of postage taking effect after December 31, 1985.''


                Relief of Certain Periodical Publications

    Pub. L. 104-52, title V, Sec. 527, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 496, 
provided that: ``For mail classification purposes under section 3626 of 
title 39, United States Code, and any regulations of the United States 
Postal Service for the administration of that section, a weekly second-
class periodical publication which--
        ``(i) is eligible to publish legal notices under any applicable 
    laws of the State where it is published;
        ``(ii) is eligible to be mailed at the rates for mail under 
    former subsection 4358(a), (b), and (c) of title 39, United States 
    Code, as limited by current subsection 3626(g) of that title; and
        ``(iii) the pages of which were customarily secured by 2 staples 
    before March 19, 1989;
shall not be considered to be a bound publication solely because its 
pages continue to be secured by 2 staples after that date.''


           Forbearance Regarding Certain Postage Deficiencies

    Section 2 of Pub. L. 101-509 provided that:
    ``(a) In General.--The United States Postal Service may forbear from 
the collection of any postage deficiency assessed against an 
organization authorized to mail at the rates for mail under former 
section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of title 39, United States Code, if the 
assessment of that deficiency arises from a violation of the cooperative 
mailing regulations of the Postal Service set forth at section 625.5 of 
the Domestic Mail Manual, and the Postal Service has made no 
determination that the organization knowingly or willfully violated such 
regulations. If any organizations authorized to mail at the rates for 
mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of title 39, United States 
Code, has paid on its own behalf all or part of a postage deficiency 
which the Postal Service would forbear from collecting under this 
section, the Postal Service may refund to that organization the amount 
which it has paid.
    ``(b) Effective Date and Applicability.--The provisions of this 
section shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act 
[Nov. 5, 1990], and shall apply to mailings which were sent on or 
between July 1, 1986, and the effective date of this section.''


      Construction Respecting Postage Rates Reduction Unauthorized

    Section 2 of Pub. L. 93-328 provided that: ``Nothing in section 1 of 
this Act [amending this section] shall be construed to authorize a 
reduction in any rate of postage in effect and being paid on the date of 
enactment of this Act [June 30, 1974].''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2401, 3629, 3642 of this 
title.
