A bill to direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain Oklahoma communities, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 3176
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-09T21:11:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to improve postal addressing accuracy and service for specific small communities in Oklahoma by requiring the United States Postal Service (USPS) to assign distinct ZIP Codes to them, addressing potential issues like shared or overlapping codes that can complicate mail delivery.
Key Provisions
- Mandate for ZIP Code Assignment: The USPS must designate a single, unique ZIP Code for each of the following Oklahoma communities:
- Hochatown, Oklahoma.
- North Enid, Oklahoma.
- Timeline: The USPS is required to complete these designations no later than 270 days (approximately 9 months) after the bill becomes law.
- Scope: The bill focuses solely on these two communities and includes no additional requirements or funding provisions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This legislation introduces a new federal mandate specifically directing the USPS to create unique ZIP Codes for these areas, which may currently share ZIP Codes with nearby locations (ZIP Codes are five-digit codes used by the USPS to sort and deliver mail efficiently).
- It does not amend broader postal laws but adds a targeted requirement, potentially overriding USPS discretion in ZIP Code assignments for these locales.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USPS will need to update its mapping, addressing databases, and operational systems, which could involve minor administrative costs but no major overhaul.
- On Citizens: Residents of Hochatown and North Enid may experience improved mail delivery reliability, easier emergency services response (e.g., via better addressing), and simplified local business operations, reducing confusion from shared ZIP Codes.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as this is a domestic postal matter with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- United States Postal Service (USPS): Directly responsible for implementation and any associated updates.
- Residents and Businesses in Hochatown and North Enid: Primary beneficiaries through enhanced postal services.
- Local Oklahoma Governments: May see indirect benefits in community services and economic activity.
- Oklahoma Senators (Lankford and Mullin): Sponsors advocating for their state's constituents.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: This is a straightforward directive with enforceable deadlines, but non-compliance by USPS could lead to congressional oversight or minor litigation; ZIP Codes are administrative tools, not constitutionally protected rights.
- Constitutional: No significant issues, as it involves federal regulation of a government agency without infringing on individual rights or states' powers.
- Political: Represents localized advocacy by Oklahoma senators, highlighting how Congress can address niche community needs; it may set a precedent for similar requests from other states but is unlikely to spark broader debate due to its narrow focus.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-11-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain Oklahoma communities, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (2 pages)