[Federal Register: June 18, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 117)] [Notices] [Page 33142-33144] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18jn97-100] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE Changes in Domestic Mail Rates and Classifications AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Notice of implementation of changes in domestic mail rates for Classroom Periodicals. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the changes in permanent rates for Classroom Periodicals to be implemented as a result of a decision of the Governors of the Postal Service in Docket No. MC96-2, and the resulting changes in temporary rates for Classroom Periodicals to be implemented concurrent with the movement to the next step of phasing. EFFECTIVE DATE: October 5, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Koetting, (202) 268-2992. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 4, 1996, pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3621 et seq., the Postal Service filed with the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) a request for a recommended decision on a number of mail classification reform proposals regarding certain types of preferred rate mail (``Classification Reform II (Nonprofit Mail)'', PRC Docket No. MC96-2). The PRC published a notice in the Federal Register on April 11, 1996 (61 FR 16129-16146) describing the Postal Service's request and offering interested parties an opportunity to intervene. On July 19, 1996, the PRC issued its first Opinion and Recommended Decision in Docket No. MC96-2. The PRC's recommendations very closely tracked the Postal Service's proposals, with the exception that the Commission deferred action on the changes proposed regarding the Classroom subclass of Periodicals mail. On August 5, 1996, the Governors of the Postal Service, pursuant to their authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625, approved the permanent [[Page 33143]] rate and classification changes recommended by the PRC at that time. 61 FR 42464-42476 (August 15, 1996). Following subsequent proceedings, the PRC on May 14, 1997, issued its Further Opinion and Recommended Decision in Docket No. MC96-2, which pertained exclusively to Classroom Periodicals. On June 2, 1997, the Governors of the Postal Service approved the permanent rates for Classroom Periodicals recommended by the PRC. A copy of the attachment to that Decision, presenting the permanent rate changes approved by the Governors, is set forth below. Also on June 2, 1997, the Board of Governors of the Postal Service, pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625(f), determined to implement the permanent rate changes approved by the Governors effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-9). The Board also determined in Resolution No. 97-9 to exercise its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3642 to establish temporary phased rates for Classroom Periodicals for FY 1998 at Step 5 of the phasing schedule attached to the Resolution, a copy of which is also set forth below. The Step 5 rates for Classroom Periodicals will be implemented on October 5, 1997. Under both the new permanent and temporary rate schedules for Classroom Periodicals, no discount will be available for ZIP+4 Letter mail. In this respect, Classroom will join the other preferred subclasses of Periodicals, for which the ZIP+4 letter discount category was eliminated in the earlier portion of Docket No. MC96-2. Over the years, only a minute portion of Classroom mail has qualified for the ZIP+4 Letter discount. In accordance with the Decision of the Governors and Resolution No. 97-9, the Postal Service hereby gives notice that the rate changes set forth below will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. Attachment to the Decision of the Governors, Docket No. MC96-2 Attachment to Resolution No. 97-9 Periodicals; Rate Schedule 423.4; Classroom Publication\10\ [Full Rates)\1\ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Postage rate unit (cents) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per Pound: Nonadvertising position............................ Pound....................................... 14.2 Advertising portion:\9\ Delivery Office\2\............................. Pound....................................... 16.9 SCF\3\..................................... Pound....................................... 19.0 1&2........................................ Pound....................................... 21.4 3.......................................... Pound....................................... 22.4 4.......................................... Pound....................................... 25.1 5.......................................... Pound....................................... 29.2 6.......................................... Pound....................................... 33.6 7.......................................... Pound....................................... 38.8 8.......................................... Pound....................................... 43.2 Per Piece: Less Nonadvertising Factor of\4\................... ............................................ 4.2 Required Preparation\5\............................ Piece....................................... 21.9 Presorted to 3-digit city/5-digit.................. Piece....................................... 17.4 Presorted to Carrier Route......................... Piece....................................... 10.7 Discounts: Prepared to Delivery Office\2\..................... Piece....................................... 1.2 Prepared to SCF\3\................................. Piece....................................... 0.6 High Density\6\.................................... Piece....................................... 0.7 Saturation\7\...................................... Piece....................................... 2.1 Automation Discounts for Automation Compatible Mail: \8\ From Required: Prebarcoded Letter Size........................ Piece....................................... 3.0 Prebarcoded Flats.............................. Piece....................................... 2.4 From 3/5 Digit: 3-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size.................... Piece....................................... 2.3 5-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size.................... Piece....................................... 2.3 Prebarcoded Flats.................................. Piece....................................... 2.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Schedule 423.4 Notes \1\ Charges are computed by adding the appropriate per-piece charge to the sum of the nonadvertising portion and the advertising portion, as applicable. \2\ Applies to carrier route (including high density and saturation) mail delivered within the delivery area of the originating post office. \3\ Applies to mail delivered within the SCF area of the originating SCF office. \4\ For postage calculation, multiply the proportion of nonadvertising content by this factor and subtract from the applicable piece rate. \5\ Mail presorted to 3-digit (other than 3-digit city), SCF, states, or mixed states. \6\ Applicable to high density mail, deducted from carrier route presort rate. \7\ Applicable to saturation mail, deducted from carrier route presort rate. \8\ For automation compatible mail meeting applicable Postal Service regulations. \9\ Not applicable to publications containing 10 percent or less advertising content. \10\ If qualified, Classroom Mail may use Within-County rates for applicable portions of a mailing. [[Page 33144]] Phasing Schedule; Periodicals; Rate Schedule 423.4; Classroom Publications ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 5 Step 6 Postage rate unit (cents) (cents) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per Pound: Nonadvertising portion....................... Pound.................................. 14.3 14.2 Advertising portion: Delivery Office.......................... Pound.................................. 16.9 16.9 SCF.................................. Pound.................................. 19.0 19.0 1&2.................................. Pound.................................. 21.4 21.4 3.................................... Pound.................................. 22.4 22.4 4.................................... Pound.................................. 25.1 25.1 5.................................... Pound.................................. 29.2 29.2 6.................................... Pound.................................. 33.6 33.6 7.................................... Pound.................................. 38.8 38.8 8.................................... Pound.................................. 43.2 43.2 Per Piece: Less Nonadvertising Factor of................ ....................................... 4.2 4.2 Required Preparation......................... Piece.................................. 21.1 21.9 Presorted to 3-digit city/5-digit............ Piece.................................. 16.0 17.4 Presorted to Carrier Route................... Piece.................................. 11.5 10.7 Discounts: Prepared to Delivery Office.............. Piece.................................. 0.6 1.2 Prepared to SCF.......................... Piece.................................. 0.4 0.6 High Density............................. Piece.................................. 0.2 0.7 Saturation............................... Piece.................................. 0.8 2.1 Automation Discounts for Automation Compatible Mail From Required: Prebarcoded Letter Size.............. Piece.................................. 2.0 3.0 Prebarcoded Flats.................... Piece.................................. 2.7 2.4 From 3/5 Digit: 3-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size...... Piece.................................. 1.2 2.3 5-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size...... Piece.................................. 2.0 2.3 Prebarcoded Flats.................... Piece.................................. 1.8 2.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [FR Doc. 97-16004 Filed 6-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P