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Electronic Freedom of Information (eFOIA) Act

The 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act (eFOIA) Amendments were intended to expand public access to Federal government information electronically and reduce agency backlogs. eFOIA includes three major points:
  • Electronic Reading Rooms: Agencies should create electronic "reading rooms", permitting remote access to specific agency information and frequently requested documents.
  • On-Line Indexes: Agencies should create electronic indexes of major information systems. A description of major information and record locator systems should be put on-line.
  • Electronic Option on FOIA Requests: FOIA information disclosures are required to give an electronic option if possible.
OPEN Government Act of 2007

The aim of the OPEN Government Act of 2007 is to fix some of the most persistent problems in the FOIA system, including excessive delay and lack of responsiveness.
  • Calls for each agency to designate a FOIA Public Liaison, "who shall assist in the resolution of any disputes"
  • Requires agencies to assign tracking numbers to FOIA requests that take longer than 10 days, and to provide systems determining the status of a request
  • Modifies and defines annual reporting requirements for each agency’s FOIA program
  • Specifically addresses data sources used to generate reports; "shall make the raw statistical data used in its reports available electronically..."
  • Redefines the definition of an agency "record" to include information held for an agency by a government contractor
  • Requires agencies to specify the specific exemption for each deletion (redaction) in disclosed documents.
Open Government Links:
The Sunshine in Government Initiative

First Amendment Center

National Freedom of Information Coalition

Better Government Association

OpenTheGovernment.Org

Public Citizen

GovernmentDocs.Org

Sunlight Foundation

The FOIA Advocate

Associated Press

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

 

Department of Justice - Freedome of Information Act
 
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