MAIL Act
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The MAIL Act (S. 5070) would direct the United States Postal Service to provide free post office boxes, subject to availability, to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who also meet a low-income or public-assistance criterion — such as having income below the poverty line, or receiving TANF, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC benefits. The Postal Service would be required to issue implementing regulations within one year and would gain explicit authority to acquire additional post office boxes to meet demand. The bill also amends postal law to authorize appropriations covering the Postal Service's lost box-rental revenue and the added costs of acquiring, installing, staffing, and maintaining these boxes.
The bill primarily affects unhoused and housing-unstable people who qualify under the listed low-income or benefit-based criteria, giving them a way to receive mail without a permanent address. It also affects the Postal Service, which would take on new administrative duties and receive additional federal funding to offset costs.
The bill requires the Postmaster General to submit an implementation plan to relevant Senate and House committees within 180 days of enactment, followed by progress reports every five years. As of its July 22, 2026 introduction, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and has not yet received further action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 22, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5070 do?
- The MAIL Act (S. 5070) would direct the United States Postal Service to provide free post office boxes, subject to availability, to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who also meet a low-income or public-assistance criterion — such as having income below the poverty line, or receiving TANF, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC benefits. The Postal Service would be required to issue implementing regulations within one year and would gain explicit authority to acquire additional post office boxes to meet demand. The bill also amends postal law to authorize appropriations covering the Postal Service's lost box-rental revenue and the added costs of acquiring, installing, staffing, and maintaining these boxes. The bill primarily affects unhoused and housing-unstable people who qualify under the listed low-income or benefit-based criteria, giving them a way to receive mail without a permanent address. It also affects the Postal Service, which would take on new administrative duties and receive additional federal funding to offset costs. The bill requires the Postmaster General to submit an implementation plan to relevant Senate and House committees within 180 days of enactment, followed by progress reports every five years. As of its July 22, 2026 introduction, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and has not yet received further action.
- Has S. 5070 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Jul 2026, S. 5070 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5070?
- S. 5070 was sponsored by Sen. Adam Schiff [D-CA] (Democrat-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5070?
- Introduced (22 Jul 2026).
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