text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2005''.
  
  SEC. 2. POSTAL BENEFITS PROGRAM.
  
      (a) In General.--The United States Postal Service and the Secretary 
  of Defense shall provide for a program under which postal benefits 
  shall be made available to the designated representative of each 
  qualified individual in accordance with succeeding provisions of this 
  Act.
      (b) Qualified Individual Defined.--For purposes of this Act, the 
  term ``qualified individual'' means an individual who is--
              (1)(A) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on 
          active duty (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United 
          States Code) or a civilian who is authorized to use postal 
          services at Armed Forces installations and holds a position or 
          performs one or more functions in support of military 
          operations, as designated by the military theater commander; 
          and
              (B) serving in an overseas area, as designated by the 
          President, where the Armed Forces of the United States are 
          engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, 
          engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with a 
          hostile foreign force, engaged in temporary military operations 
          under arduous circumstances, serving with a friendly foreign 
          force in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a 
          belligerent, or temporarily deployed overseas for an 
          operational contingency in arduous circumstances, as determined 
          by the Secretary of Defense; or
              (2) hospitalized in a facility of the Armed Forces of the 
          United States as a result of disease or injury incurred as a 
          result of service in an overseas area designated by the 
          President under paragraph (1)(B).
      (c) Postal Benefits Described.--
              (1) In general.--The postal benefits made available to a 
          designated representative pursuant to this Act shall consist of 
          postage stamps (of such denomination or denominations as the 
          Postal Service may determine) equivalent to $150 in value per 
          calendar quarter, subject to subsection (d)(2)(B).
              (2) Conditions relating to mailings.--Postal benefits under 
          this Act may not be used for the mailing of any mail matter 
          other than mail matter which--
                      (A) is described in paragraph (3);
                      (B) is sent--
                              (i) from within an area served by a United 
                          States post office; and
                              (ii) by an individual or a charitable 
                          organization; and
                      (C) is addressed to a qualified individual.
              (3) Mail matter described.--
                      (A) In general.--The mail matter described in this 
                  paragraph is--
                              (i) any letter mail or sound- or video-
                          recorded communications having the character of 
                          personal correspondence; and
                              (ii) any parcel not exceeding--
                                      (I) 10 pounds in weight and 60 
                                  inches in length and girth combined, if 
                                  sent by an individual; or
                                      (II) 70 pounds in weight and 180 
                                  inches in length and girth combined, if 
                                  sent by a charitable organization.
                      (B) Restriction.--Postal benefits under this Act 
                  may not be used for mail matter that contains any 
                  advertising.
              (4) Design and limitations on use of stamps.--Stamps made 
          available pursuant to this Act--
                      (A) shall bear a design or other markings to 
                  identify the military operation to which they relate; 
                  and
                      (B) may not be used--
                              (i) after the date (following the 
                          conclusion of such military operation) 
                          designated by the Secretary of Defense; or
                              (ii) with respect to any other military 
                          operation.
              (5) Coordination rule.--Postal benefits under this Act 
          shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any reduced rates 
          of postage or other similar benefits which might otherwise be 
          available by or under law, including any rates of postage 
          resulting from the application of section 3401(b) of title 39, 
          United States Code.
      (d) Regulations.--The Postal Service and the Secretary of Defense 
  shall jointly prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this 
  Act, including regulations to provide for the following:
              (1) Identification of designated representatives.--The 
          identification of designated representatives shall be made 
          using procedures under which--
                      (A) determinations shall be made based on the most 
                  current next-of-kin data available to or obtainable by 
                  the Secretary of Defense; and
                      (B) a qualified individual may supersede a 
                  determination under subparagraph (A), to the extent 
                  procedures to carry out this subparagraph are 
                  practicable.
              (2) Notice to and elections by designated 
          representatives.--
                      (A) Notice.--Notice shall be provided to all 
                  designated representatives informing them of their 
                  eligibility for postal benefits under this Act and the 
                  procedures (including any deadlines) for making an 
                  initial and any subsequent election of benefits.
                      (B) Elections.--A designated representative shall 
                  not receive any postal benefits under this Act for any 
                  calendar quarter except upon the filing of an 
                  appropriate written election. A separate election under 
                  this subparagraph shall be required for each calendar 
                  quarter, and each such election shall require the 
                  individual to indicate whether full, partial (in the 
                  increments allowed), or no benefits are requested for 
                  the quarter. Failure to make an effective election 
                  shall be treated as a declination of benefits for the 
                  calendar quarter involved.
                      (C) No carryover.--Any benefits declined with 
                  respect to a calendar quarter shall not be available 
                  for purposes of any subsequent calendar quarter.
      (e) Direct Benefits for Charitable Organizations.--In addition to 
  the benefits under subsections (a) through (d), the Postal Service and 
  the Secretary of Defense shall by regulation allow any charitable 
  organization to apply for direct postal benefits. Applications for 
  benefits under this subsection shall be considered on a case-by-case 
  basis in accordance with such criteria as shall apply under the 
  regulations. Any benefits approved under this subsection shall be 
  governed by subsection (c), subject to any modifications or special 
  rules established by the regulations which may be necessary to carry 
  out the purposes of this subsection (including an alternative to the 
  limitation set forth in subsection (c)(1)).
      (f) Definition.--For purposes of this Act, the term ``charitable 
  organization'' means an organization that is described in section 
  501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation 
  under section 501(a) of such Code.
  
  SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
  
      This Act shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal 
  year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
target: Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2005 - Directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Secretary of Defense to provide a program under which postal benefits are made available for personal correspondence and other mail matter sent from within the United States by designated representatives (next-of-kin) to members of the Armed Forces who are: (1) serving on active duty abroad in support of military operations or against an enemy of the United States or other hostile force; or (2) hospitalized in a U.S. military facility as a result of disease or injury incurred during service overseas. Limits postal benefits to $150 per calendar quarter, and limits the size and weight of allowable parcels. Allows charitable organizations to apply for such benefits.
feat_title: To provide for a program under which postal benefits shall be made available for purposes of certain personal correspondence and other mail matter sent from within the United States to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty abroad who are engaged in military operations, and for other purposes.