ZIP Code Change Could Become US Law

By

Aliss Higham is a Newsweek reporter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her focus is reporting on Social Security, other government benefits and personal finance. She has previously extensively covered U.S. and European politics, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the British Royal Family. Aliss joined Newsweek full time in January 2024 after a year of freelance reporting and has previously worked at digital Reach titles The Express and The Mirror. She is a graduate in English and Creative Writing from Goldsmiths, University of London. You can get in touch with Aliss by emailing a.higham@newsweek.com. Languages: English.

Aliss Higham

US News Reporter

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Two bills designed to help smaller municipalities generate more local revenue have successfully passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and may soon be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

The bipartisan bills, HR 3095 and HR 672, introduced by Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, respectively, would assign distinct ZIP codes to 80 communities across the country.

HR 3095 was passed in a 278-121 vote, with 31 representatives not voting. HR 672 was passed unanimously.

Why It Matters

The ZIP code system was introduced in the U.S. in 1963, and while they’re most commonly known for helping with mail deliveries, codes also help with emergency response planning, economic development and insurance assessments.

Boebert has said cities without unique ZIP codes “have their sales tax revenue, insurance rates, mail delivery rates, and response times for first responders negatively impacted.” The congresswoman said the legislation would “address these issues and directly improve the quality of life for Coloradans and Americans living in these communities.”

What To Know

Boebert’s bill, if signed into law, would affect 66 communities without unique ZIP codes across 19 states. The communities are listed below:

California

• Canyon Lake
• Hidden Hills
• Industry
• North Tustin
• Tehachapi

Colorado

• Castle Pines
• Centennial
• Cherry Hills Village
• Frederick
• Greenwood Village
• Highlands Ranch
• Keystone
• Lone Tree
• Mountain Village
• Mt. Crested Butte
• Severance
• Silver Cliff
• Sterling Ranch
• Superior
• Telluride

Florida

• Coconut Creek
• Deerfield Beach
• Lighthouse Point
• Oakland Park
• Parkland
• Wilton Manors

Illinois

• Burr Ridge

Indiana

• Carmel
• Noblesville
• Westfield
• Zionsville

Kentucky

• Camargo

Louisiana

• Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• Montz

Minnesota

• Quartzite Township
• Springwater Township

Nevada

• Grass Valley

New Hampshire

• Swanzey

New Jersey

• Kinnelon

New York

• Flanders
• Glendale
• Riverside
• Pendleton
• Wheatfield

North Carolina

• Weddington

Ohio

• Green

Oklahoma

• Hochatown

South Carolina

• Goose Creek
• Mauldin

Texas

• Fairview
• Fate
• Heath
• Josephine
• Murphy
• Northlake
• Parker
• Sargent

Virginia

• Fairlawn

Wisconsin

• Caledonia
• Franklin
• Glendale
• Greenfield
• Rochester
• Village of Harrison
• Village of Mount Pleasant
• Village of Somers

HR 672 would create unique ZIP codes for the following 14 areas:

California

• Eastvale

Colorado

• Castle Pines
• Silver Cliff

Connecticut

• Scotland

Florida

• Hollywood
• Miami Lakes
• Ocoee

Iowa

• Urbandale

Wisconsin

• Franklin
• Greenfield
• Village of Caledonia
• Village of Mount Pleasant
• Village of Somers

Wyoming

• Mills

What People Are Saying

Republican Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado said in a news release: “Zip code reform is not a partisan issue; it’s a unifying, fundamental need for the municipalities that have been denied their own zip code and have dealt with public safety issues, mail delivery problems for seniors and veterans, business permitting challenges, and the loss of revenue that leads to cutting public services. It’s time for the Senators who represent the many communities in this bill to step up and deliver this bill to President Trump’s desk.”

Democratic Representative Joe Courtney of Connecticut, who sponsored HR 672, said following the vote: “The people of Scotland [Connecticut] face the serious consequences of having six ZIP Codes for a town of less than 1,600 people. Delivery of Social Security notices and checks, Medicaid information, prescription medications, and absentee ballot applications are disrupted day in day out. Residents have paid their taxes to the wrong town and sent their children to the wrong school.”

What Happens Next

Both bills are set to be reviewed by the Senate. If they pass, they will head to the White House to be signed into law.

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