The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved S-337 to compel agencies to respond more quickly and openly to Freedom of Information Act requests.
The bill would establish a single website for making FOIA requests; direct agencies to make records available in an electronic format; reduce the number of exemptions agencies can use to withhold information from the public; clarify procedures for handling frequently requested documents and charging fees; establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council; and require agencies to prepare additional reports for the Congress on FOIA matters.
Presidential memoranda and Justice Department guidelines have directed agencies to provide more FOIA information to the public on a timely basis, but widespread dissatisfaction with delays and lack of openness continue.
According to a Congressional Budget Office analysis, in 2013, federal agencies excluding the Social Security Administration received more than 704,000 FOIA requests, employed about 4,200 full-time staff to fulfill requests and spent $446 million on related activities. It said the workloads of most agencies would increase to comply with the new requirements.
