Standard FEES Act

Hozzl · 2024-02-05T14:30:09Z

Explore the details of House Bill 3309 Standard FEES Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Science, Technology, Communications. Stay informed on legislative developments.

2/5/2024, 2:30 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3309

Bill 118 hr 3309, also known as the Standard FEES Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to establish a standard fee for federal agencies to charge for the processing of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Under the Standard FEES Act, federal agencies would be required to charge a uniform fee for processing FOIA requests, regardless of the agency or the nature of the request. This standard fee would be set at a reasonable level to cover the costs associated with processing the request, while also ensuring that the fee is not prohibitively expensive for individuals seeking information.

The bill aims to streamline the FOIA request process by eliminating the variability in fees charged by different agencies, making it easier for individuals to access government information. By establishing a standard fee, the Standard FEES Act seeks to promote transparency and accountability within the federal government. Overall, the Standard FEES Act is a bipartisan effort to improve the FOIA request process and make government information more accessible to the public. It is currently being debated in Congress, with supporters arguing that it will help to ensure that the government remains open and transparent to its citizens.

Congressional Summary of HR 3309

Standard Fees to Expedite Evaluation and Streamlining Act or the Standard FEES Act

This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish, and federal agencies to adopt, a common schedule of fees for processing certain applications to use buildings or property owned or managed by the federal government for locating or modifying transmitting devices, support structures, or other communications facilities.

The fees must be competitively neutral and based on direct and actual costs. GSA may provide exceptions to the fees if the exceptions (1) are competitively neutral with respect to the categories of individuals or entities that are granted exceptions, and (2) serve a public benefit and the interest of expanding broadband deployment. The bill limits an agency's use of the fees to amounts made available in advance through appropriations acts.

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Current Status of Bill HR 3309

Bill HR 3309 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 15, 2023. Bill HR 3309 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on May 15, 2023. Bill HR 3309's most recent activity was Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-245, Part I. as of October 25, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3309

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3309

Primary Policy Focus

Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact Areas

- Government buildings, facilities, and property

- Infrastructure development

- Internet, web applications, social media

- Telephone and wireless communication

- User charges and fees

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3309

Standard FEES Act

Standard Fees to Expedite Evaluation and Streamlining Act

To amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to establish a uniform fee schedule applicable to the processing of forms for the consideration of applications for the placement of communications facilities on certain buildings and other property owned by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.