FOIA Improvement Act of 2016

The FOIA Improvement Act of 2016, also known as Bill 114 s 337, is a piece of legislation that aims to strengthen and improve the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 2, 2015, by Senator John Cornyn and was signed into law by President Barack Obama on June 30, 2016.

The main purpose of the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 is to increase transparency and accountability in government by making it easier for the public to access government records. The bill includes several key provisions that aim to achieve this goal.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the requirement for agencies to proactively disclose certain records online, making it easier for the public to access information without having to submit a formal FOIA request. This provision is aimed at increasing government transparency and reducing the burden on agencies to respond to FOIA requests. Another important provision of the bill is the requirement for agencies to update their FOIA regulations to reflect recent changes in FOIA law. This includes requiring agencies to provide a tracking number for FOIA requests, establish a single FOIA request portal, and provide a timeline for responding to requests. Additionally, the bill includes provisions aimed at improving the FOIA process for requesters. This includes requiring agencies to notify requesters of their right to seek assistance from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) if they are dissatisfied with the agency's response to their FOIA request. Overall, the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 is aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability by making it easier for the public to access government records. The bill includes provisions that require agencies to proactively disclose certain records online, update their FOIA regulations, and improve the FOIA process for requesters.