Legal Definitions - PRC

PRC stands for the Postal Rate Commission.

The Postal Rate Commission (PRC) was an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. Its primary responsibility was to review and recommend changes to postal rates and classifications proposed by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The PRC ensured that rates were fair, reasonable, and in compliance with legal requirements, often holding public hearings to gather input before making its recommendations to the USPS Board of Governors. This agency was later replaced by the Postal Regulatory Commission in 2006, which took on expanded duties.

• Example 1: A small business owner, operating an online store, notices a significant increase in the cost of shipping packages to customers. They research the change and discover that the new rates were implemented after the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) had thoroughly reviewed the USPS's proposal and recommended the adjustments, concluding they were necessary for the postal service's financial stability. This demonstrates the PRC's role in evaluating and approving proposed rate changes.

• Example 2: A large non-profit organization wants to introduce a new type of discounted bulk mail service for sending out fundraising appeals, requiring a specific classification and pricing structure. Before the USPS could offer this specialized service, the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) would have been responsible for examining the proposed service classification and its associated rates to ensure they were fair, non-discriminatory, and met all regulatory standards. This illustrates the PRC's function in classifying postal services and their pricing.

• Example 3: During a period when the USPS proposed a substantial increase in the price of first-class stamps, a consumer advocacy group believed the hike was excessive and would unduly burden everyday citizens. The group would have formally presented its arguments and data to the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) during its public review process, aiming to persuade the Commission to recommend a smaller increase or reject the proposal entirely. This highlights the PRC's role as a forum for public input and its responsibility to consider various stakeholders' interests when making rate recommendations.