3.0.0 337 2023-04-24T20:39:48Z 2023-04-24T20:39:48Z Senate S 2015-02-02 114 ssju00 Judiciary Committee Senate Standing Reported by 2015-02-09T22:09:49Z Markup by 2015-02-05T17:31:54Z Referred to 2015-02-02T22:36:14Z S. Rept. 114-4 FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2016 114 653 HR 2016-01-12 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Related bill CRS 2016-06-30 Became Public Law No: 114-185. President E40000 2 House floor actions 2016-06-30 Became Public Law No: 114-185. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2016-06-30 Signed by President. President E30000 2 House floor actions 2016-06-30 Signed by President. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2016-06-22 Presented to President. Floor E20000 2 House floor actions 2016-06-22 Presented to President. President 28000 9 Library of Congress 2016-06-13 17:18:49 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Floor H38310 2 House floor actions 2016-06-13 17:18:48 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3714-3716) Floor H37300 2 House floor actions 2016-06-13 17:18:48 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3714-3716) Floor 8000 9 Library of Congress 2016-06-13 16:52:58 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 337. Floor H8D000 2 House floor actions 2016-06-13 16:52:56 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3714-3719) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2016-06-13 16:52:39 Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. Floor H30300 2 House floor actions 2016-03-16 17:08:48 Held at the desk. Floor H15000 2 House floor actions 2016-03-16 12:18:19 Received in the House. Floor H14000 2 House floor actions 2016-03-16 Senate Message on Senate action sent to the House. Floor 2016-03-15 Senate Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2016-03-15 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. Floor 17000 9 Library of Congress 2016-03-15 Senate Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1494-1496) Floor 2015-02-23 ssju00 Judiciary Committee Senate By Senator Grassley from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 114-4. Additional views filed. Floor 2015-02-23 By Senator Grassley from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 114-4. Additional views filed. Committee 14900 9 Library of Congress ssju00 Judiciary Committee 2015-02-09 Senate Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17. Calendars 2015-02-09 ssju00 Judiciary Committee Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report. Committee 2015-02-09 Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report. Committee 14000 9 Library of Congress ssju00 Judiciary Committee 2015-02-05 ssju00 Judiciary Committee Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Committee 2015-02-02 ssju00 Judiciary Committee Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S699-701) IntroReferral 2015-02-02 Introduced in Senate IntroReferral 10000 9 Library of Congress C001056 Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] John Cornyn R TX N L000174 Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] Patrick Leahy D VT 2015-02-02 True G000386 Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] Charles Grassley R IA E. 2015-02-02 True C001088 Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] Christopher Coons D DE A. 2015-02-09 False F000463 Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE] Deb Fischer R NE 2015-02-11 False T000464 Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] Jon Tester D MT 2016-03-14 False 2015-02-18T16:13:00Z S. 337, FOIA Improvement Act of 2015 https://www.cbo.gov/publication/49957 As reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on February 9, 2015 Public Law 114-185 Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative remedies Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration Congressional oversight Executive agency funding and structure Federal officials Freedom of information Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Government Operations and Politics 00 2015-02-02 Introduced in Senate 2015-03-16T18:06:15Z FOIA Improvement Act of 2015

This bill makes changes to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to provide the public with greater access to information and records that are disclosable under FOIA.

The bill requires agencies, in administering FOIA, to: (1) make information disclosable under such Act available for public inspection in an electronic format, and (2) make available to the public records that have been requested three or more times (frequently requested records).

The bill establishes a presumption of openness by prohibiting an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless: (1) the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption, or (2) disclosure is prohibited by law.

Agencies are prohibited from assessing search or duplication fees if they have failed to comply with a deadline for complying with a FOIA request unless unusual circumstances apply and more than 50,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request.

The bill expands the authority and duties of Chief FOIA Officers in each agency to require officers to serve as the primary agency liaison with the Office of Government Information Services and the Office of Information Policy.

The bill establishes a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for: (1) increasing compliance and efficiency in responding to FOIA requests; (2) disseminating information about agency experiences; (3) identifying, developing, and coordinating initiatives to increase transparency and compliance; and (4) promoting performance measures to ensure agency compliance with FOIA requirements.

The Office of Management and Budget is directed to ensure the operation of an online request portal that allows a member of the public to submit a FOIA request for records to any agency from a single website.

]]> 80 2015-02-09 Reported to Senate without amendment 2015-03-16T18:15:24Z (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

FOIA Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to:

  • require federal agencies to make their disclosable records and documents available for public inspection in an electronic format;
  • require agencies to make available for inspection in an electronic format records that have been requested three or more times (frequently requested records);
  • prohibit an agency from charging a fee for providing records if the agency misses a deadline for complying with an FOIA request unless unusual circumstances apply and more than 50,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • require the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • require the Government Accountability Office to conduct audits of agency compliance with FOIA requirements;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency to require officers to serve as the primary agency liaison with OGIS and the Office of Information Policy;
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance and efficiency in responding to FOIA requests, disseminating information about agency experiences, identifying, developing, and coordinating initiatives to increase transparency and compliance, and promoting performance measures to ensure agency compliance with FOIA requirements; and
  • require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure the operation of a consolidated online request portal that allows a member of the public to submit a request for records to any agency from a single website.

(Sec. 3) The head of each agency (i.e., each authority of the U.S. government, excluding the Congress, U.S. courts, governments of U.S. territories and possessions, and the government of the District of Columbia) is required to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments made by this Act, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and OGIS.

(Sec. 4) The program for the efficient management of federal agency records is expanded to require agency heads to establish procedures for: (1) identifying records of general interest or use to the public that are appropriate for public disclosure, and (2) posting such records in a publicly-accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 5) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act.

]]> 35 2016-03-15 Passed Senate amended 2016-03-17T19:42:02Z FOIA Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to:

  • require federal agencies to make their disclosable records and documents available for public inspection in an electronic format;
  • require agencies to make available for inspection in an electronic format records that have been requested three or more times (frequently requested records);
  • prohibit an agency from charging a fee for providing records if the agency misses a deadline for complying with an FOIA request unless unusual circumstances apply and more than 5,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • limit the FOIA exemption for agency communications to allow the disclosure of agency records created 25 years or more before the date of a FOIA request;
  • require the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency to require officers to serve as the primary agency liaison with OGIS and the Office of Information Policy;
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance and efficiency in responding to FOIA requests, disseminating information about agency experiences, identifying, developing, and coordinating initiatives to increase transparency and compliance, and promoting performance measures to ensure agency compliance with FOIA requirements; and
  • require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure the operation of a consolidated online request portal that allows a member of the public to submit a request for records to any agency from a single website.

(Sec. 3) The head of each agency (i.e., each authority of the U.S. government, excluding the Congress, U.S. courts, governments of U.S. territories and possessions, and the government of the District of Columbia) is required to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments made by this Act, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and OGIS.

(Sec. 4) The program for the efficient management of federal agency records is expanded to require agency heads to establish procedures for: (1) identifying records of general interest or use to the public that are appropriate for public disclosure, and (2) posting such records in a publicly-accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 5) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act.

(Sec. 6) This Act shall take effect on its enactment date and shall apply to all FOIA requests for records made after its enactment date.

]]> 81 2016-06-13 Passed House without amendment 2016-06-20T14:45:09Z (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 15, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

FOIA Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to:

  • require federal agencies to make their disclosable records and documents available for public inspection in an electronic format;
  • require agencies to make available for inspection in an electronic format records that have been requested three or more times (frequently requested records);
  • prohibit an agency from charging a fee for providing records if the agency misses a deadline for complying with an FOIA request unless unusual circumstances apply and more than 5,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • limit the FOIA exemption for agency communications to allow the disclosure of agency records created 25 years or more before the date of a FOIA request;
  • require the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency to require officers to serve as the primary agency liaison with OGIS and the Office of Information Policy;
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance and efficiency in responding to FOIA requests, disseminating information about agency experiences, identifying, developing, and coordinating initiatives to increase transparency and compliance, and promoting performance measures to ensure agency compliance with FOIA requirements; and
  • require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure the operation of a consolidated online request portal that allows a member of the public to submit a request for records to any agency from a single website.

(Sec. 3) The head of each agency (i.e., each authority of the U.S. government, excluding the Congress, U.S. courts, governments of U.S. territories and possessions, and the government of the District of Columbia) is required to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments made by this bill, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and OGIS.

(Sec. 4) The program for the efficient management of federal agency records is expanded to require agency heads to establish procedures for: (1) identifying records of general interest or use to the public that are appropriate for public disclosure, and (2) posting such records in a publicly-accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 5) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this bill.

(Sec. 6) This bill shall take effect on its enactment date and shall apply to all FOIA requests for records made after its enactment date.

]]> 49 2016-06-30 Public Law 2016-07-13T20:18:43Z (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 15, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

FOIA Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to:

  • require federal agencies to make their disclosable records and documents available for public inspection in an electronic format;
  • require agencies to make available for inspection in an electronic format records that have been requested three or more times (frequently requested records);
  • prohibit an agency from charging a fee for providing records if the agency misses a deadline for complying with an FOIA request unless unusual circumstances apply and more than 5,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • limit the FOIA exemption for agency communications to allow the disclosure of agency records created 25 years or more before the date of a FOIA request;
  • require the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency to require officers to serve as the primary agency liaison with OGIS and the Office of Information Policy;
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance and efficiency in responding to FOIA requests, disseminating information about agency experiences, identifying, developing, and coordinating initiatives to increase transparency and compliance, and promoting performance measures to ensure agency compliance with FOIA requirements; and
  • require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure the operation of a consolidated online request portal that allows a member of the public to submit a request for records to any agency from a single website.

(Sec. 3) The head of each agency (i.e., each authority of the U.S. government, excluding the Congress, U.S. courts, governments of U.S. territories and possessions, and the government of the District of Columbia) is required to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments made by this bill, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and OGIS.

(Sec. 4) The program for the efficient management of federal agency records is expanded to require agency heads to establish procedures for: (1) identifying records of general interest or use to the public that are appropriate for public disclosure, and (2) posting such records in a publicly-accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 5) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this bill.

(Sec. 6) This bill shall take effect on its enactment date and shall apply to all FOIA requests for records made after its enactment date.

]]> FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 Display Title FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 Official Title as Introduced A bill to improve the Freedom of Information Act. Introduced in Senate IS Short Titles as Enacted FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 Short Titles as Introduced FOIA Improvement Act of 2015 Short Titles as Passed Senate FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 S Senate Short Titles as Reported to Senate FOIA Improvement Act of 2015 S Senate Short Titles as Passed House FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 H House 3452 114 SAMDT In the nature of a substitute. 2020-12-15T19:11:50Z 2016-03-15 Amendment SA 3452 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. SA 3452 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/114th-congress/senate-amendment/3452 C001056 Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] John Cornyn R TX 1 1 L000174 Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] Patrick Leahy D VT 2016-03-15 True 2016-03-15T04:00:00Z 2016-03-15T04:00:00Z Senate 114 S Senate S 337 FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 2023-04-24T20:39:48Z 6 2016-03-15 0 Senate Amendment SA 3452 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2016-03-15 0 Senate Amendment SA 3452 proposed by Senator Cornyn. (consideration: CR S1496) In the nature of a substitute. Floor 2016-03-15 Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 3452 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 94000 9 Library of Congress 2016-03-15 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 3452 proposed by Senator Cornyn.(consideration: CR S1496) Floor 93000 9 Library of Congress 2016-03-15 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress Enrolled Bill https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114s337enr/xml/BILLS-114s337enr.xml Engrossed in Senate 2016-03-15T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114s337es/xml/BILLS-114s337es.xml Reported to Senate 2015-02-09T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114s337rs/xml/BILLS-114s337rs.xml Introduced in Senate 2015-02-02T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114s337is/xml/BILLS-114s337is.xml 2016-07-01T03:59:59Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-114publ185/uslm/PLAW-114publ185.xml Public Law 2016-06-30 Became Public Law No: 114-185. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.