S.1065 - Instituting Notification Formalities On Reorganizing Mail Act of 2025; INFORM Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The INFORM Act of 2025 (S.1065) aims to increase transparency and public awareness regarding changes to nationwide postal services. It mandates the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide advance notice of significant changes affecting postal services. This includes submitting proposed changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission for an advisory opinion and posting notices in affected postal facilities.
The notices must include details of the change, timelines, anticipated impacts, public meeting information, and contact details for public comment. This act amends Section 3661 of Title 39, United States Code, to incorporate these requirements.
The bill intends to ensure that the public is well-informed and has the opportunity to provide feedback on changes to postal services, promoting accountability and responsiveness from the USPS.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased administrative burden on the USPS due to the new notification requirements. It will also likely increase public awareness and potentially influence USPS decisions through public feedback.
Furthermore, the Postal Regulatory Commission will see an increase in workload due to the requirement to provide advisory opinions on proposed changes. Ultimately, the bill aims to make the USPS more transparent and accountable to the public it serves.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in USPS decision-making processes.
- Enhanced public awareness of changes affecting postal services.
- Opportunities for public comment and feedback on proposed changes.
- Potential for the USPS to be more responsive to public needs and concerns.
- Improved accountability of the USPS to the public.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on the USPS.
- Potential delays in implementing changes due to the notification and review process.
- Increased workload for the Postal Regulatory Commission.
- Possible resistance from the USPS to increased public scrutiny.
- The effectiveness of public comment may be limited.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the spirit of the Constitution by promoting transparency and accountability in a government service. While the Constitution does not explicitly address postal service procedures, the bill supports the principle of informing citizens about government actions that affect them.
By ensuring public notice and opportunity for comment, the bill indirectly supports the First Amendment's guarantee of the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional provision and seems to operate within the powers granted to Congress to regulate postal services.
Therefore, the bill is generally aligned with the principles of transparency and citizen engagement that underpin the US Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).