Overview
Title
To provide for the issuance of a Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to make a special stamp with a picture of Prince Hall, and when people buy this stamp, the money will go to help students pay for college. The stamp will be sold for two years, starting in 2025.
Summary AI
H.R. 9330, also known as the "Original Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp Act," proposes that the United States Postal Service issue a stamp in honor of Prince Hall. The proceeds from selling this semipostal stamp will be directed to the Department of Education and used for Federal Pell Grants, supporting higher education funding. The stamp will be available for sale to the public for two years, starting on January 1, 2025. This bill aims to recognize Prince Hall while generating funds for educational purposes.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, known as the "Original Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp Act," seeks the issuance of a special type of postal stamp called the Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp. Introduced by Mr. Green of Texas in the House of Representatives, the bill outlines that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is to release this semipostal stamp starting January 1, 2025, for a duration of two years. A semipostal stamp is one that is sold at a premium price to fund charitable causes. The proceeds generated from this stamp are earmarked for the Department of Education to support Federal Pell Grants, which are financial aids aimed at helping students from low-income families attend college.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several notable issues are associated with this legislation: 1. Fund Allocation Ambiguity: The bill does not clarify how exactly the proceeds from the stamp sales will be distributed within the Federal Pell Grants program. This lack of specificity could lead to confusion or disputes over fund allocation.
Financial Policy Concerns: The bill specifies that the revenue generated from the stamp sales should not impact other federal funding decisions for education. Such stipulations might restrict Congress's ability to manage the federal budget flexibly.
Scheduling of Payments: The mandate for making payments to the Department of Education "at least twice a year" is vague. Without a clear schedule, the timing may be inconsistent, complicating financial planning and management for the Pell Grant program.
Terminology Clarity: The term "semipostal stamp" is defined by referring to another legal document. For individuals unfamiliar with postal regulations, this might lead to misunderstandings about the nature of the stamp.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The bill, if passed, could have several implications for the public and specific stakeholders:
Broader Public Impact: The bill aims to harness public support for funding educational grants through the purchase of stamps. Individuals purchasing the Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp not only commemorate Prince Hall but also contribute to a broader social cause, enhancing educational opportunities for underserved students.
Educational Stakeholders: The Department of Education stands to receive a new revenue stream to bolster Pell Grants. However, without detailed allocation guidance, the Department may face challenges in distributing the proceeds effectively.
USPS and Philatelists: The USPS would benefit from potential increased sales and public engagement with commemorative stamps, while stamp collectors might find this a valuable addition to their collections.
Students: Students who benefit from Pell Grants could indirectly see enhanced support, though inconsistencies in fund allocation might limit this benefit unless clarified.
In summary, while the bill presents an innovative approach to tying postal stamp sales to educational funding, it requires further specifics to ensure smooth implementation and maximize its potential benefits for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The bill does not specify how the proceeds from the sale of the Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp will be allocated within the Federal Pell Grants program, potentially leading to ambiguity in fund distribution, as indicated in Section 2(c)(1).
The language stating that amounts from the stamp sales shall not be offset in Federal funding decisions may limit Congress's flexibility in budgeting and appropriations, potentially affecting fiscal policy, as noted in Section 2(c)(2).
The provision for making payments to the Department of Education 'at least twice a year' lacks specificity and may result in inconsistent timing of transfers, which could complicate budgeting for the Pell Grant program, as described in Section 2(c)(1).
The term 'semipostal stamp' is defined by referencing another legal document (section 416(a)(1) of title 39), which may not be immediately clear to readers who are not familiar with this document, potentially leading to misunderstandings, as stated in Section 2(e).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act states that it may be called the "Original Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp Act".
2. Prince Hall Commemorative semipostal stamp Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The United States Postal Service will issue a special stamp called the "Prince Hall Commemorative Stamp," with proceeds from its sale going to the Department of Education to help fund Federal Pell Grants. This stamp will be available for two years starting January 1, 2025, and the money from the stamp sales will not reduce other federal funding for education.