Silver Cliff Community Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 448
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-02-19T21:43:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Silver Cliff Community Act (H.R. 448) aims to improve postal service organization for the town of Silver Cliff, Colorado, by requiring the United States Postal Service (USPS) to assign a dedicated ZIP Code. This addresses potential issues with mail delivery or community identity due to shared or inadequate postal designations.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Silver Cliff Community Act."
- ZIP Code Designation: Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, USPS must assign a single, unique ZIP Code—specifically numbered 81249—to the geographic area covering only Silver Cliff, Colorado. This ensures the code applies exclusively to the town and not surrounding areas.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This legislation introduces a new federal mandate directing USPS to create and implement a specific ZIP Code for Silver Cliff, which does not appear to alter broader postal laws but overrides any current USPS discretion in ZIP Code assignments for this locality.
- ZIP Codes are typically managed administratively by USPS without direct congressional intervention, so this represents a rare instance of legislative specificity in postal geography.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: USPS will need to update its systems, maps, and operations to implement the new ZIP Code, potentially involving minor administrative costs and coordination but no major overhaul.
- On Citizens: Residents of Silver Cliff may experience improved mail sorting, delivery accuracy, and local identity, reducing confusion from shared ZIP Codes with nearby areas.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as this is a domestic postal matter.
- Overall, the effects are localized and administrative, with limited broader economic or social ripple effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- United States Postal Service (USPS): Primary entity responsible for compliance and implementation.
- Residents and Businesses of Silver Cliff, Colorado: Direct beneficiaries through enhanced postal services and community recognition.
- Members of Congress: Introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen and Lauren Boebert, representing Colorado districts, indicating bipartisan local advocacy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses standard congressional authority under Article I to regulate postal services (via the Postal Clause in the U.S. Constitution), but it is narrowly tailored and unlikely to face legal challenges. It imposes a clear deadline (180 days), which could lead to enforcement if USPS delays.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with federal oversight of the postal system without infringing on state or local powers.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan cooperation on a non-controversial, hometown issue in a rural area, potentially setting a precedent for similar requests from other small communities seeking unique postal identities. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Silver Cliff Community Act — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (2 pages)