H.R. 431: Pony Up Act

This bill, known as the "Pony Up Act," aims to address issues related to late payments of bills due to delayed mail delivery by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Reimbursement for Late Payment Fees

The bill requires the USPS to reimburse individuals who incur late payment fees because their bills or payment notices were delayed in the mail. Specifically:

• Individuals can receive reimbursement for any fee or penalty resulting from late bill payments if the delay is attributable to the USPS.
• The amount reimbursed will be equal to the total late fees and penalties incurred by the individual.

Application Process

To receive reimbursement, individuals must submit an application to the USPS. The bill outlines the following points about the application process:

• Individuals can submit applications online through the USPS website, by mail, or at any post office.
• The USPS is responsible for determining the appropriate process for submitting applications.

Exceptions for Delays

The bill specifies that the USPS will not be liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond its control. This includes situations like major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. Hence, delays due to these unforeseen circumstances would not qualify for reimbursement.

Appeals Process

If an individual disagrees with the USPS's decision regarding their reimbursement claim, they can appeal the decision to the Judicial Officer. The appeals process includes the following:

• Individuals must submit their appeal in writing within 30 days of receiving the USPS’s decision.
• The Judicial Officer is required to respond to the appeal as soon as practicable, and their decision will be final.

Implementation Timeline

The USPS is mandated to issue rules and regulations to implement this bill within 60 days following its enactment.

Reporting Requirements

The bill also includes requirements for the USPS to report on mail delivery delays:

• The USPS must submit an annual report detailing the average delivery times and delays for different classes of mail.
• The report should include information about presorted mail and how it affects delivery performance.

Prioritization Audit

The bill mandates an assessment by the USPS Inspector General to ensure that the delivery of certain types of mail is prioritized correctly.

• This assessment should evaluate whether the USPS gives priority to mail that is delivered under specific agreements compared to other mail within the same category.
• A report on these findings must be submitted to Congress within a year of the bill's enactment.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for critical terms, such as:

• Delivered late: This term includes conditions when a bill or payment is not delivered in time for the recipient to address it before the payment due date.
• Judicial Officer: This refers to the official appointed under specific legislation related to USPS operational procedures.

Implementation and Oversight

The bill emphasizes accountability and oversight for the USPS in handling mail delays and reimbursements to ensure that citizens are not unfairly penalized for late deliveries.

Relevant Companies

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