Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/11/20/E9-27877/rule-implementing-the-freedom-of-information-act
Timestamp: 2017-08-24 09:58:31
Document Index: 488783555

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009201', '§\u2009201', '§\u2009201', '§\u2009201', '§\u2009201', '§\u2009201', 'art 201', '§\u2009201', '§\u2009201']

60130-60137 (8 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-27877 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-27877
This document institutes the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board's (Board) final rule implementing a set of procedural regulations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552, and Public Law 104-231, the Electronic Freedom of Start Printed Page 60131Information Act Amendments of 1996. These regulations have been written to conform to the statutory provisions of the Acts, to expedite the processing of FOIA requests received by the Board, and to ensure the proper dissemination of information to the public.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2009 (74 FR 38366) for a public comment period to end on October 2, 2009. This rule sets forth the procedures for members of the public to request records from the Board under both the FOIA and the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996. The rule also sets forth the procedures that the Board will use when responding to such requests. It sets forth the time frames for responses and the current fee schedule for any applicable charges for information. The rule also supplies information about Board materials available to the public through the Board's Web site.
The Board received comments from two organizations. One commenter requested an explanation concerning the differences between the proposed FOIA and Privacy Act rules regarding what is procedurally required in order for an individual to request access to records in the custody of the Board. Under the Board's proposed Privacy Act rule, all requests should include, among other things, the requester's full name, address, and telephone number. Requests for Privacy Act records may be made in writing, by fax, by telephone, or in person. The commenter contends that there are additional and more stringent requirements placed on a requester who requests access to his or her records in person. More specifically, such a requester must contact the Board's office at least one week before the desired appointment date. In addition, before a requester can review his or her records, the requester must provide proof of identification. Identification should be a valid copy of one of the following: A government ID, a driver's license, a passport, or other current identification that contains both an address and a picture of the requester.
According to the commenter, the process for requesting records under the Board's proposed FOIA rule “seem[s] quite simplified.” Under the proposed FOIA rule, all requests for records must include the requester's full name, address, and telephone number. Such a request can be made in writing, via e-mail, or via fax. The commenter correctly points out that the proposed FOIA rule does not provide the option of an in-person request. The commenter concluded that the differences in treatment of requesters for access to the Board's records seem unnecessary, especially with respect to the identification information required of a requester seeking information in person.
The other commenter raised concerns regarding the Board's proposed definition of “agency records” under § 201.2. The Board's proposed FOIA rule defines “agency record” as “materials that are in the control of the Board and associated with Board business, as follows: (i) Materials produced by the Board. (ii) Materials produced by staff for the Board. (iii) Materials distributed by presenters at a Board meeting or Board Committee meeting.” The commenter feels that the proposed definition is too narrow. The Board agrees and has therefore modified its definition in a way as to leave open the types of information that may be considered “agency records.” [1]
The same commenter raised concerns regarding § 201.3 of the Board's proposed rule—publicly available documents and the electronic reading room. More specifically, § 201.3(b)(6) of the Board's proposed rule provides that “[r]ecords available electronically on the Board's Web site include * * * [c]opies of records repeatedly released in response to FOIA requests.” The commenter is concerned that this provision suggests that the Board will make available a narrower category of records than what is required under FOIA. To alleviate any confusion as to whether the Board will track the law, the Board has modified § 201.3(b)(6) to track the language used in the DOJ Guidance, reflecting its intention to comply with the requirement of proactive disclosure and make records of public interest available prior to receiving frequent requests for such information.
Finally, the same commenter raised concerns regarding § 201.14(c) of the Board's proposed rule—appeals and exhaustion of administrative remedies. The commenter feels that the Board has misstated FOIA regarding when a FOIA requester may bring a lawsuit in federal court to challenge an agency's response to his or her FOIA request. The Board feels that proposed § 201.14(c) and (e) confuse the administrative appeals/judicial review issues and therefore withdraws both provisions in their entirety. The Board believes that the case law on this matter—referenced in the U.S. Department of Justice's “Guide to the Freedom of Information Act,”—speaks for itself.[2] As revised, the Board's regulations provide requesters with sufficient procedural information to ensure the proper review of requests.
These proposed regulations will not have a significant economic impact on Start Printed Page 60132a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis as provided by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, is not required.
Therefore, the Board amends Title 4 of the Code of Federal Regulations by adding Part 201 to read as follows:
(a)(1) Agency records—Materials that are in the control of the Board and associated with Board business, including:
(6) Copies of records frequently requested and released in response to FOIA requests.
(4) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of any confidential source, including a state, local, or foreign agency or authority, or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement agency in the course of a criminal investigation or by an agency conducting a lawful security Start Printed Page 60133intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source;
(1) Write: FOIA Officer, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006;
(3) Telephone number, and
(2) If the Board believes that multiple requests submitted by a requestor or by requestors acting in concert constitute a single request that would otherwise involve unusual circumstances, and if the requests involve clearly related matters, they may be aggregated. Multiple requests involving unrelated matters will not be aggregated.Start Printed Page 60134
(3) Requests for expedited processing must include a statement explaining in detail the basis for requesting expedited processing. For example, a requestor under § 201.8 must establish that his/her professional activity is news reporting, although it need not be his/her sole occupation. The requestor also must establish a particular urgency to inform the public about government activity involved in the request, beyond the public's right to know about government activity generally.
(b) Definitions for this section. (1) Commercial use request—A request from, or on behalf of, a person who seeks information for a purpose that furthers his/her commercial, trade, or profit interests including furthering those interests through litigation. The Board shall try to determine the use to which a record will be put. When the Board believes that a request is for commercial use either because of the nature of the request or because the Board has cause to doubt the stated use, the Board shall ask the requestor for clarification.
(3) Review. When a commercial-use request is made, review fees shall be charged as stated in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. These fees apply only to the initial record review, when the Board determines whether an Start Printed Page 60135exemption applies to a particular record. Charges shall not be imposed for review at the administrative appeal level if an exemption is applied. However, records withheld under an exemption that is subsequently determined not to apply may be reviewed again to determine whether any other exemption not previously considered applies. The costs of that review shall be charged. All review fees shall be charged at the same rates as those charged in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(a) Tracking number. The Board will issue a tracking number to all FOIA requesters within 5 days of the receipt of the request (as described in § 201.7(b)). The tracking number will be sent via electronic mail if the requester has provided an electronic mail address. Start Printed Page 60137Otherwise, the Board will mail the tracking number to the requester's physical address, as provided in the FOIA request.
1. The Board will follow the U.S. Department of Justice's “Guide to the Freedom of Information Act” in determining what constitutes an agency record. See U.S. Department of Justice “Guide to the Freedom of Information Act,” (2009), at 33.
2. See id. at 97.
[FR Doc. E9-27877 Filed 11-19-09; 8:45 am]