HR6810-119

What This Bill Does

The MAIL Theft Act directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Postmaster General, and other relevant agency heads to develop a strategy within 180 days for coordinating federal investigation of organized postal theft. The strategy must improve information sharing among USPS, the Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the Secret Service, and other relevant agencies; help state and local law enforcement compile materials and evidence needed to prosecute organized postal crime; and increase cooperation with state and local government agencies. Within the same 180-day period, the federal agencies must submit a joint strategy report to relevant congressional committees. Within one year, GAO must publish a report on coordination between the private sector and law enforcement to deter and investigate organized postal crime. The bill defines organized postal crime as coordinated mail or package theft for resale through interstate commerce.

Who Benefits and How

Mail recipients, postal customers, retailers, shippers, and online marketplace users benefit if better coordination reduces organized theft of mail and packages. State and local law enforcement agencies benefit from federal assistance compiling evidence and prosecution materials. USPS and the Postal Inspection Service benefit from clearer coordination with DHS, CBP, HSI, the Secret Service, and local agencies. Private-sector carriers, retailers, and marketplaces benefit from GAO attention to law-enforcement coordination against resale networks.

Who Bears the Burden and How

DOJ, DHS, USPS, CBP, HSI, the Secret Service, and other relevant agencies must coordinate strategy development, information sharing, and congressional reporting within 180 days. State and local law enforcement agencies may need to participate in new information-sharing processes. GAO auditors must complete the private-sector coordination report within one year. Organized postal crime networks face higher investigation and prosecution risk.

Key Provisions

• Requires a federal strategy to improve information sharing on organized postal crime networks.
• Directs federal agencies to assist state and local law enforcement with prosecution materials and evidence.
• Requires a joint strategy report to Congress within 180 days.
• Requires GAO to report within one year on private-sector and law-enforcement coordination.
• Defines organized postal crime as coordinated theft of mail or packages for resale through interstate commerce.