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Bill

S 452

BARCODE Efficiency Act

119th Congress Introduced by Raphael Warnock and 1 co-sponsor

Bill S 452 mandates state agencies to report FOIL inquiry data, enhancing transparency and accountability, benefiting the public and improving access to government information.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 452

Summary of Bill S 452

Bill Number: S 452
Title: Relates to requiring agencies to report information about FOIL inquiries to the committee on open government
Status: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
Introduced: January 08, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 452 aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government operations by mandating state agencies to report specific information regarding inquiries made under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The intent is to provide the Committee on Open Government with comprehensive data that can be used to monitor compliance with FOIL and improve public access to government information.

Key Provisions

  • Reporting Requirement: The bill requires all state agencies to submit detailed reports on FOIL inquiries. This includes:

    • The number of FOIL requests received.
    • The nature of the requests (e.g., types of documents requested).
    • The response times for each request.
    • The outcomes of the requests (e.g., granted, denied, partially granted).

  • Frequency of Reports: Agencies will be required to submit these reports on a regular basis, although the specific frequency (e.g., quarterly, annually) is not detailed in the current version of the bill.

  • Committee Oversight: The Committee on Open Government will be tasked with reviewing these reports to identify trends, compliance issues, and areas for improvement in the FOIL process.

Who Would Be Affected

  • State Agencies: All state agencies that handle FOIL requests will be directly impacted by the new reporting requirements.
  • Public and Advocacy Groups: Increased transparency will benefit the general public, journalists, and advocacy organizations that rely on FOIL to access government information.
  • Committee on Open Government: This committee will gain enhanced oversight capabilities, allowing for better monitoring of FOIL compliance across agencies.

Procedural Aspects

  • Current Status: As of January 08, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Investigations and Government Operations Committee for further consideration.
  • Related Legislation: This bill is related to prior-session Bill S 8671 and has a companion bill, A 2321, which may provide additional context or support for its provisions.

Conclusion

Bill S 452 seeks to strengthen the framework of transparency in government by ensuring that agencies are accountable for their handling of FOIL inquiries. By requiring regular reporting to the Committee on Open Government, the bill aims to foster a culture of openness and improve public access to information. The outcome of this bill could significantly impact how state agencies manage FOIL requests and how the public interacts with government information.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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