§ 2601. Collection and adjustment of debts

Statutory text

The Postal Service—

shall collect debts due the Postal Service;

shall collect and remit fines, penalties, and forfeitures arising out of matters affecting the Postal Service;

may adjust, pay, or credit the account of a postmaster or of an enlisted person of an Armed Force performing postal duties, for any loss of Postal Service funds, papers, postage, or other stamped stock or accountable paper; and

may prescribe penalties for failure to render accounts.

The Postal Service may refer any matter, which is uncollectable through administrative action, to the Government Accountability Office for collection. This subsection does not affect the authority of the Attorney General in cases in which judicial proceedings are instituted.

In all cases of disability or alleged liability for any sum of money by way of damages or otherwise, under any provision of law in relation to the officers, employees, operations, or business of the Postal Service, the Postal Service shall determine whether the interests of the Postal Service probably require the exercise of its powers over the same. Upon the determination, the Postal Service on such terms as it deems just and expedient, may—

remove the disability; or

compromise, release, or discharge the claim for such sum of money and damages.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1970
Postal Reorganization Act
Pub. L. 91–375 · 84 Stat. 719
Enacted · 39 U.S.C. § 2601
Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 744
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 744
2004
GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004
Pub. L. 108–271 § 8(b) · 118 Stat. 811
Substituted · 39 U.S.C. § 2601(a)
Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in concluding provisions
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in concluding provisions.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(b) References.— Any reference to the General Accounting Office in any law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on the date of enactment of this Act shall be considered to refer and apply to the Government Accountability Office.

1 of 2 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in concluding provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Credits

1970–2004 · 2 acts

1970Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 744
2004Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814.

Show as published

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 744; Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814.)