The government has the responsibility to keep the public informed on how it conducts business. One of the tools available to the public to attain this type of information is access to government records. The FOIA is a federal statute which governs federal records, i.e. those maintained on behalf of a federal agency.
FOIL is the equivalent New York State Law.
Every government employee plays a vital role with regard to release of information to the public. The Directorate of Administrative Services and Headquarters, New York Air National Guard the only offices with designated RAOs. This does not include media relations in which Public Affairs personnel have authority to release information, or personnel records which may be accessed by the individual to whom they pertain. Air Wings have personnel assigned that have release authority for federal records only. The United State Property and Fiscal Officer may process requests for federal contracts.