39 U.S.C. § 3626 — Reduced rates

Page 104 TITLE 39—POSTAL SERVICE § 3626 to recommended decisions of the Postal Rate Commis- sion. Section 3625, Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 762; Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, § 708(d), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1273, related to action of the Board of Governors of the Postal Service. § 3626. Reduced rates (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this sec- tion, 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 es- tablished in accordance with section 3622. (2) For the purpose of this subsection, the term ‘‘regular-rate category’’ means any class of mail or kind of mailer, other than a class or kind referred to in section 2401(c). (3) Rates of postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 4358(a) through (c) of this title shall be established so that post- age on each mailing of such mail reflects its pre- ferred status as compared to the postage for the most closely corresponding regular-rate cat- egory mailing. (4)(A) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), rates of postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 4358 (d) or (e) of this title shall be established so that postage on each mailing of such mail shall be as nearly as prac- ticable 5 percent lower than the postage for a corresponding regular-rate category mailing. (B) With respect to the postage for the adver- tising pound portion of any mail matter under former section 4358 (d) or (e) of this title, the 5- percent discount specified in subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the advertising portion ex- ceeds 10 percent of the publication involved. (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 cat- egory of mail. (6) The rates for mail matter under former sec- tions 4452 (b) and (c) of this title shall be estab- lished as follows: (A) The estimated average revenue per piece to be received by the Postal Service from each subclass of mail under former sections 4452 (b) and (c) of this title shall be equal, as nearly as practicable, to 60 percent of the estimated av- erage revenue per piece to be received from the most closely corresponding regular-rate subclass of mail. (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the es- timated average revenue per piece of each reg- ular-rate subclass shall be calculated on the basis of expected volumes and mix of mail for such subclass at current rates in the test year of the proceeding. (C) Rate differentials within each subclass of mail matter under former sections 4452 (b) and (c) shall reflect the policies of this title, in- cluding the factors set forth in section 3622(b) of this title. (7) The rates for mail matter under former sec- tions 4554 (b) and (c) of this title shall be estab- lished so that postage on each mailing of such mail shall be as nearly as practicable 5 percent lower than the postage for a corresponding reg- ular-rate mailing. (b)(1) For the purposes of this title, the term ‘‘periodical publications’’, as used in former sec- tion 4351 of this title, includes (A) any catalog or other course listing, including mail an- nouncements of legal texts which are part of post-bar admission education issued by any in- stitution of higher education or by a nonprofit organization engaged in continuing legal edu- cation; and (B) any looseleaf page or report (in- cluding 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 develop- ments 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 mean- ing given it by section 101 of the Higher Edu- cation Act of 1965, and includes a nonprofit orga- nization that coordinates a network of college- level courses that is sponsored primarily by non- profit 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 sec- tion 4358(d) of this title. (d)(1) For purposes of this title, the term ‘‘ag- ricultural’’, 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 live- stock. (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 orga- nizations or associations shall include any orga- nization or association which collects and dis- seminates 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 po- litical party, the Republican and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committees, the Demo- cratic National Congressional Committee, and the National Republican Congressional Com- mittee; (B) the term ‘‘national committee’’ means the organization which, by virtue of the by- laws 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 Page 105 TITLE 39—POSTAL SERVICE § 3626 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. (3) For purposes of this section and former sec- tion 4358(a) through (c) of this title, those copies of an issue of a publication entered within the county in which it is published, but distributed outside such county on postal carrier routes originating in the county of publication, shall be treated as if they were distributed within the county of publication. (4)(A) In the case of an issue of a publication, any number of copies of which are mailed at the rates of postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 4358(a) through (c) of this title, any copies of such issue which are distributed outside the county of publication (excluding any copies subject to paragraph (3)) shall be subject to rates of postage provided for under this paragraph. (B) The rates of postage applicable to mail under this paragraph shall be established in ac- cordance with section 3622. (C) This paragraph shall not apply with re- spect to an issue of a publication unless the total paid circulation of such issue outside the county of publication (not counting recipients of copies subject to paragraph (3)) is less than 5,000. (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 50 percent of the number of copies of such publi- cation mailed at such rates to subscribers. [(i) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, § 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 con- sideration, recommends, describes, or announces the availability of— (A) any credit, debit, or charge card, or simi- lar 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 organi- zation 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 pri- marily promoted to the members, donors, sup- porters, or beneficiaries of the organization, and the coverage provided by the policy is not generally otherwise commercially available; (C) any travel arrangement, unless the orga- nization 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 au- thorization to mail at such rates, and the ar- rangement is designed for and primarily pro- moted 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 pro- viding 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 regu- lations of the Postal Service) with any per- son 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 re- lated 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 sec- tion 513 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and (II) clause (i) shall not apply if the product involved is a periodical publication de- scribed in subsection (m)(2) (including a sub- scription to receive any such publication); and (III) clause (i) shall not apply to space ad- vertising 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 ef- fect 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 be- cause— (A) such matter contains, but is not pri- marily devoted to, acknowledgements of orga- nizations or individuals who have made dona- tions to the authorized organization; or (B) such matter contains, but is not pri- marily devoted to, references to and a re- sponse card or other instructions for making inquiries concerning services or benefits avail- Page 106 TITLE 39—POSTAL SERVICE § 3626 able as a result of membership in the author- ized organization: Provided, That advertising, promotional, or application materials specifi- cally concerning such services or benefits are not included. (3)(A) Upon request, an organization author- ized to mail at the rates for mail under former section 4452(b) or 4452(c) of this title shall fur- nish evidence to the Postal Service concerning the eligibility of any of its mail matter or mail- ings to be sent at those rates. (B) The Postal Service shall establish proce- dures to carry out this paragraph, including pro- cedures 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 vio- lates paragraph (1) of this subsection. This as- sessment 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 des- ignated 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 proce- dures for the prompt collection of postage defi- ciencies 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 sub- section deduct the amount of that deficiency in- curred 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 pub- lisher’s own advertising in a publication pub- lished 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 sec- tion 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 non- profit organization. (n) In the administration of this section, mat- ter that satisfies the circulation standards for requester publications shall not be excluded from being mailed at the rates for mail under former section 4358 solely because such matter is designed primarily for free circulation or for circulation at nominal rates, or fails to meet the requirements of former section 4354(a)(5). (Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 762; Pub. L. 93–328, § 1, June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 94–421, § 11, Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1311; Pub. L. 95–593, § 11(c), Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2538; Pub. L. 99–272, title XV, §§ 15102(b)(1), (c), 15104, 15105, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 330, 331; Pub. L. 99–509, title VI, § 6003(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1933; Pub. L. 101–509, title II, §§ 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, §§ 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, § 639, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2432; Pub. L. 104–255, § 2, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3169; Pub. L. 105–244, title I, § 102(a)(12), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1620; Pub. L. 106–384, §§ 1(b)–(e), 2(b), Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1460–1462; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, § 1003, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3255; Pub. L. 117–108, title II, § 204, Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1147.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Former sections 4351 to 4358, 4452, and 4554 of this title, referred to in text, mean those 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, re- ferred to in subsec. (b)(3), is classified to section 1001 of Title 20, Education. Section 513 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, re- ferred to in subsecs. (j)(1)(D)(I) and (m)(1)(B), is classi- fied 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 2022—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–108 substituted ‘‘50 per- cent’’ for ‘‘10 percent’’. 2006—Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 109–435, § 1003(1), added pars. (1) to (3) and struck out former pars. (1) to (3). Prior to amendment, par. (1) required rates of post- age 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 to be established in accordance with the applica- ble provisions of this chapter, par. (2) defined ‘‘costs at- tributable’’, ‘‘regular-rate category’’, and ‘‘institu- tional-costs contribution’’, and par. (3) required rates of postage for a class of mail or kind of mailer under former section 4358 of this title to be established in a manner such that the estimated revenues to be re- ceived by the Postal Service from such class of mail or kind of mailer were equal to certain calculated amounts. Subsec. (g)(3), (4). Pub. L. 109–435, § 1003(2), added pars. (3) and (4). Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 109–435, § 1003(3), added subsec. (n). 2000—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 106–384, § 2(b), substituted ‘‘4554(b), or 4554(c)’’ for ‘‘4454(b), or 4454(c)’’. Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 106–384, § 1(b), amended sub- par. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: ‘‘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 Page 107 TITLE 39—POSTAL SERVICE § 3626 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 esti- mated costs referred to in clause (i) by the applicable percentage under subparagraph (B).’’ Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 106–384, § 1(c), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: ‘‘The rates for the advertising portion of any mail mat- ter 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 in- volved, the advertising portion shall be subject to the same rates as apply to the nonadvertising portion.’’ Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 106–384, § 1(d), added par. (6). Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 106–384, § 1(e), added par. (7). 1998—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–244 substituted ‘‘sec- tion 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 pe- riod ‘‘, and includes a nonprofit organization that co- ordinates a network of college-level courses that is sponsored primarily by nonprofit educational institu- tions 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, § 704(a)(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: ‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this sub- section, 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 ac- cordance 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 require- ment that the direct and indirect postal costs attrib- utable to such class of mail or kind of mailer (exclud- ing 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 sched- ules.’’ Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103–123, § 704(a)(3)(A), struck out subsec. (i) which defined ‘‘reduced-rate category’’ and ‘‘regular-rate category’’ and provided method for deter- mining costs recovered by revenues plus appropriations for reduced-rate categories and for the purpose of dis- tinguishing costs recovered from regular-rate cat- egories and reduced-rate categories and determining appropriation requests relating to reduced-rate cat- egories. Subsec. (j)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103–123, § 705(a), added sub- par. (D). Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 103–123, § 705(c), designated ex- isting provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (k), (l). Pub. L. 103–123, § 708(e), redesignated subsec. (k), defining ‘‘advertising’’, as (l). Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 103–123, § 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 para- graph (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, § 1(a), added subsec. (j). Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101–509, § 3, added subsec. (k) de- fining ‘‘advertising’’. Pub. L. 101–509, § 1(a), added subsec. (k) relating to mailing of matter at inapplicable rates. 1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–272, § 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 ef- fective date of the first rate decision under this sub- chapter 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 sub- chapter, with annual increases as nearly equal as prac- ticable, 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 deci- sion applicable to that class or kind, exceed the di- rect 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 en- acted; 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 deci- sion applicable to that class or kind, to the rates that would have been in effect for such mail if this sub- paragraph 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 un- less he files annually with the Postal Service a written request for permission to mail matter at such rates.’’ Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–272, § 15102(c), added subsec. (f). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–272, § 15104, added subsec. (g). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99–272, § 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 sub- par. (2), and added subpar. (3). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries 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 sec- tion 3 of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as a note under section 1001 of Title 20, Education. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, § 704(c)(1), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1270, 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.’’ Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, § 705(d), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1272, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by Page 108 TITLE 39—POSTAL SERVICE § 3627 1 So in original. Probably should be followed by ‘‘of this title,’’. 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 effec- tive 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 Pub. L. 99–509, title VI, § 6003(c), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1933, 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 ef- fective 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 soon- er.’’ Pub. L. 99–272, title XV, § 15102(b)(2), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 330, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply with re- spect to rates of postage taking effect after December 31, 1985.’’ RELIEF OF CERTAIN PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS Pub. L. 104–52, title V, § 527, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 496, provided that: ‘‘For mail classification purposes under section 3626 of title 39, United States Code, and any reg- ulations of the United States Postal Service for the ad- ministration of that section, a weekly second-class pe- riodical 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 Pub. L. 101–509, title II, § 2, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1398, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Postal Service may forbear from the collection of any postage defi- ciency 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 assess- ment 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 be- half all or part of a postage deficiency which the Postal Service would forbear from collecting under this sec- tion, the Postal Service may refund to that organiza- tion the amount which it has paid. ‘‘(b) EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICABILITY.—The provi- sions 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 Pub. L. 93–328, § 2, June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 288, 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].’’ § 3627. Adjusting free rates If Congress fails to appropriate an amount au- thorized under section 2401(c) of this title for any class of mail sent free of postage under sec- tion 3217 or 3403–3406 1 the rate for that class may be adjusted in accordance with the provi- sions of this subchapter so that the increased revenues received from the users of such class will equal the amount for that class that the Congress was to appropriate. (Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 763; Pub. L. 95–593, § 11(b), Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2538; Pub. L. 99–410, title II, § 201(b)(3), Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 103–31, § 8(h)(3), May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 86; Pub. L. 103–123, title VII, § 704(a)(3)(B)(i), Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1269; Pub. L. 109–435, title X, § 1010(g)(5), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3263.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2006—Pub. L. 109–435 inserted section catchline and struck out former catchline which read the same. 1993—Pub. L. 103–123 substituted ‘‘free rates’’ for ‘‘free and reduced rates’’ in section catchline and ‘‘sent free of postage under section 3217 or 3403–3406’’ for ‘‘sent at a free or reduced rate under section 3217, 3403–3406, 3626, or 3629 of this title,’’ in text. Pub. L. 103–31 substituted ‘‘3626, or 3629 of this title’’ for ‘‘or 3626 of this title,’’. 1986—Pub. L. 99–410 substituted ‘‘3406’’ for ‘‘3405’’ and struck out ‘‘under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955, or under the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975’’ after ‘‘3626 of this title,’’. 1978—Pub. L. 95–593 inserted provisions relating to ap- plicability of Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENTS Amendment by Pub. L. 103–123 applicable with re- spect to rates for mail sent after Sept. 30, 1993, see sec- tion 704(c)(1) of Pub. L. 103–123, set out as a note under section 3626 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 103–31 effective (1) with re- spect to a State that, on May 20, 1993, has a provision in the constitution of the State that would preclude compliance with section 20501 et seq. of Title 52, Voting and Elections, unless the State maintained separate Federal and State official lists of eligible voters, on the later of Jan. 1, 1996, or the date that is 120 days after the date by which, under the constitution of the State as in effect on May 20, 1993, it would be legally possible to adopt and place into effect any amendments to the constitution of the State that are necessary to permit compliance with section 20501 et seq. of Title 52 without requiring a special election, and (2) with respect to a State not described above, on Jan. 1, 1995, see section 13 of Pub. L. 103–31, set out as an Effective Date note under section 20501 of Title 52. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 99–410 applicable with respect to elections taking place after Dec. 31, 1987, see section 204 of Pub. L. 99–410, set out as an Effective Date note under section 20301 of Title 52, Voting and Elections. [§ 3628. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–435, title II, § 201(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3205] Section, Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 763; Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(37), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3360, re-