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Bill113th CongressFiled Jun 24, 2014Government Operations and Politics
S. 2520

FOIA Improvement Act of 2014

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What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Dec 8, 2014)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on November 20, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) 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 at least three 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;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees a specific identifiable harm to an interest protected by an FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • require the Office of Government Information Services to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct audits of agency compliance with FOIA requirements;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency for promoting compliance with FOIA disclosure requirements; and
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance with FOIA requirements.

(Sec. 3) Requires the head of each federal agency to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments to FOIA made by this Act, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of Government Information Services.

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

(Sec. 5) Prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out the requirements of this Act.

What just happenedDec 9, 2014

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT](D-VT)Sponsor
7 cosponsors3 D4 R
Read on Congress.gov
7cosponsors1committees14actions1related bills9subjects
  • Engrossed in SenateDec 8, 2014
  • Reported to SenateNov 20, 2014
  • Introduced in SenateJun 24, 2014
  1. Dec 9, 2014FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Dec 9, 2014FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Dec 9, 2014Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Dec 8, 2014Floor

    By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 113-287.

  5. Dec 8, 2014Committee14900

    By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 113-287.

  6. Dec 8, 2014Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6375-6377; text as passed Senate: CR S6375-6377)

  7. Dec 8, 2014Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6375-6377; text as passed Senate: CR S6375-6377)

  8. Nov 20, 2014Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 605.

  9. Nov 20, 2014Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  10. Nov 20, 2014Committee14000

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  11. Nov 20, 2014Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  12. Jun 24, 2014IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3942-3944)

  13. Jun 24, 2014IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3942)

  14. Jun 24, 2014IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedDec 8, 201435

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on November 20, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) 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 at least three 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;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees a specific identifiable harm to an interest protected by an FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • require the Office of Government Information Services to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct audits of agency compliance with FOIA requirements;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency for promoting compliance with FOIA disclosure requirements; and
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance with FOIA requirements.

(Sec. 3) Requires the head of each federal agency to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments to FOIA made by this Act, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of Government Information Services.

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

(Sec. 5) Prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out the requirements of this Act.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Nov 20, 20141

FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) 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 at least three 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;
  • prohibit an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless the agency reasonably foresees a specific identifiable harm to an interest protected by an FOIA exemption or disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openness);
  • require the Office of Government Information Services to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between agencies and FOIA requesters;
  • require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct audits of agency compliance with FOIA requirements;
  • expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency for promoting compliance with FOIA disclosure requirements; and
  • establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance with FOIA requirements.

(Sec. 3) Requires the head of each federal agency to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations on procedures for disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments to FOIA made by this Act, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of Government Information Services.

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

(Sec. 5) Prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out the requirements of this Act.

Introduced in SenateJun 24, 2014

FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to: (1) require federal agencies to make agency records that can be disclosed under such Act available for public inspection in an electronic format, (2) limit the authority of an agency to charge a fee if the agency misses a deadline for complying with a FOIA request, (3) establish a presumption in favor of disclosure and prohibit the application of exemptions from FOIA based on technicalities, (4) expand the authority and duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency for promoting compliance with the FOIA disclosure requirements, and (5) establish a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance with FOIA requirements.

Requires the head of each federal agency to: (1) review agency regulations and issue regulations for the disclosure of records in accordance with the amendments to FOIA made by this Act, and (2) include in such regulations procedures for engaging in dispute resolution through the FOIA Public Liaison and the Office of Government Information Services.

Expands the program for the efficient management of federal agency records 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.

Prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out the requirements of this Act.