Summary of H.R. 1982: The Return to Sender Act

Overview

The Return to Sender Act (H.R. 1982) is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 10, 2025. The bill aims to establish a new process for returning undeliverable mail items to their senders.

Key Provisions

The main components of the proposed legislation include:

1. Undeliverable Mail Procedures: The bill would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to return undeliverable mail items directly to the original sender, rather than disposing of or destroying them. This would apply to both domestic and international mail.

2. Notification Requirements: USPS would be mandated to make reasonable attempts to notify the sender when a mail item is undeliverable and being returned. This could include electronic notifications for items with trackable barcodes.

3. Cost Recovery: The bill would allow USPS to charge the original sender a fee to cover the costs of returning undeliverable mail. The fee structure would be determined by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

4. Exceptions: Certain categories of mail, such as packages containing perishable items or items prohibited from being returned, would be exempt from the return-to-sender requirements.

Potential Impact

The Return to Sender Act is intended to:

• Reduce waste and environmental impacts by minimizing the disposal of undeliverable mail
• Provide senders with more visibility and control over the status of their mail items
• Generate additional revenue for USPS through the return shipping fees

The bill could affect a wide range of postal customers, including businesses, individuals, and organizations that rely on the mail system for shipping and correspondence.

Next Steps

H.R. 1982 has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform for further consideration. A companion bill, S. 913, has also been introduced in the Senate. The legislative process will involve committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in both chambers of Congress before the bill could be signed into law.