A bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate ZIP Codes for certain communities.
- Bill Number
- S. 4505
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T20:26:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, S. 4505, aims to ensure that specific communities across the United States receive their own unique ZIP Codes from the United States Postal Service (USPS). ZIP Codes are 5-digit postal codes used for mail sorting and delivery.
Key Provisions
- Requires the USPS to assign a single, unique ZIP Code to each of 75 named communities (listed in Section 1) within 1 year of the bill's enactment.
- Communities span multiple states, including California (10), Colorado (14), Florida (10), and others like Indiana, Texas, and Wyoming.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a federal mandate on the USPS to create new ZIP Codes for these communities, which previously shared ZIP Codes with neighboring areas.
- No amendments to broader postal laws; this is a targeted requirement.
Potential Impacts
- USPS: Must update its addressing system, maps, and databases within the deadline, potentially involving administrative costs and coordination with local governments.
- Citizens and communities: Improves mail delivery accuracy, supports local identity, enhances emergency services (e.g., 911 response), and aids business/economic development by providing distinct postal recognition.
- No notable impacts on international relations or other federal agencies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- USPS: Directly responsible for implementation.
- Residents and local governments of the 75 communities: Primary beneficiaries for better services and recognition.
- Bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Sens. Ernst, Padilla, Barrasso, Bennet) and their constituents.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward congressional directive to an executive agency (USPS), enforceable via standard oversight; no new funding specified, so relies on existing USPS budget.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over postal services (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8).
- Political: Acts as targeted relief for growing or underserved communities; reflects local advocacy in a bipartisan bill, but could be seen as "earmarking" specific locales without broader criteria. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To require the United States Postal Service to designate ZIP Codes for certain communities. — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (4 pages)