The committee also passed legislation to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act and increase public access to information.
Sponsored by Reps. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., Todd Russell Platts, R-Pa., and Waxman, the bill would restore the presumption that records should be released to the public if disclosure is allowable under law and the agency cannot reasonably foresee harm from such a disclosure — removed by former attorney general John Ashcroft following 9-11.
The bill would impose consequences on agencies that fail to respond to FOIA requests within 20 days, and provide requesters with tracking numbers for each request as well as access to a hotline or website with the status of the requests.
The bill would also strengthen agency reporting requirements, require GAO to report annually on DHS’s use of the broad disclosure exemption for "critical infrastructure information," and create a FOIA ombudsman to help requesters resolve problems without having to resort to litigation.
Further, HR-1309 would hold agencies accountable for their decisions by enhancing the authority of the Office of Special Counsel to take disciplinary action against government officials who arbitrarily and capriciously deny disclosure, according to the committee.
