Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/03/30/2017-06047/revision-of-regulations-governing-freedom-of-information-act-requests-and-appeals
Timestamp: 2017-10-23 09:53:06
Document Index: 792888553

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u20091820', '§\u20091820', '§\u20091820', '§\u20091820', 'art 1820', 'art 1820']

Federal Register :: Revision of Regulations Governing Freedom of Information Act Requests and Appeals
A Rule by the Special Counsel Office on 03/30/2017
82 FR 15609
2017-06047
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-06047 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-06047
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 15609
The rule updates the U.S. Office of Special Counsel's (OSC's) FOIA regulations to reflect substantive and procedural changes to the FOIA. In addition, in response to comments received on a different rulemaking, this final rule clarifies that our consultation procedures may include consultation with other offices prior to OSC responding to a FOIA request, incorporates existing records retention obligations, and updates the definition of representatives of the news media.
Amy Beckett, Senior Litigation Counsel, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, by telephone at (202) 254-3600, by facsimile at (202) 254-3711, or by email at abeckett@osc.gov.
The FOIA Improvement Act of 2016, Public Law 114-185, 130 Stat. 538 (the Act) mandated several changes to agency FOIA programs, and it required agencies to review and update relevant FOIA regulations. In addition, OSC is updating its regulations in response to comments received during a recent rulemaking. At that time, OSC made a few additional mechanical changes responsive to the comments, but stated it would consider the comments proposing broader changes pending OSC's regulatory review required by the Act.
OSC has now considered the remaining comments, and has adopted some of them including a suggestion that § 1820.6 refer to the statutory 20-day appeal response window. In response to a comment that OSC include language regarding existing records retention obligations, OSC added provisions at §§ 1820.5(d) and 1820.6(d) that address the requirement to retain FOIA-related federal records. In addition, OSC updated the definition of “news media” in § 1820.7. In response to a comment regarding the consultation provision at § 1820.3, OSC clarified the circumstances under which it would consult with non-OSC offices prior to OSC issuing a FOIA response. When consulting on records responsive to an OSC-received FOIA request, OSC retains the responsibility for responding to the request.
Accordingly, OSC updates its FOIA regulations as follows:
FOIA Regulations. In accordance with the Act, OSC extends the time period for submitting appeals from 45 to 90 days; codifies OSC's existing practice of informing requesters of the availability of the Agency's Public Liaison and the dispute resolution services of the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) Office of Government Information Services (OGIS); and notifies requesters of FOIA's intent to offer dispute resolution services at every stage of the FOIA process. OSC clarifies its FOIA consultation provisions relating to the need to sometimes consult with other offices when preparing its response to a FOIA request. OSC also updates its definition of “representative of the news media” to conform to current statutory language. This updated definition also responds to ongoing changes in the gathering and delivery of news.
OSC adds language to 5 CFR 1820.5 to establish OSC's FOIA dispute resolution program, including requiring OSC to notify requesters of the availability of dispute resolution services and language emphasizing that dispute resolution is available to requesters at every phase of the FOIA request and appeals process. OSC also adds language regarding records retention for FOIA-related federal records.
The existing language of 5 CFR 1820.6 is changed to notify requesters of their new statutory 90-day time limit to appeal. OSC also adds language regarding records retention for FOIA-related federal records.
The revisions to 5 CFR 1820.7 update language requiring that a member of the news media be a “person actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public,” removing the “organized and operated” standard previously included. The change also includes a non-exhaustive list of entities that meet the updated definition of “member of the news media.”
Administrative Procedure Act (APA): OSC finds that good cause exists, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), that notice and public comment on this rule-making would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest because most of these revisions to OSC's FOIA regulations are mandated by the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 and OSC is not exercising any discretion in issuing these revisions; and also because the additional changes respond to previously considered comments on a recent rulemaking. This action is taken under the Special Counsel's authority at 5 U.S.C. 1212(e) to publish regulations in the Federal Register.
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined in section 3.f of Executive Order 12866.
Congressional Review Act (CRA): The rule is not subject to the reporting requirement of 5 U.S.C. 801 because it does not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties and therefore is not a “rule” as that term is used by the Congressional Review Act (Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1998).
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA): Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): This rule will have no physical impact upon the environment and therefore will not require any further review under NEPA.
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): This rule does not impose any new recordkeeping, reporting, or other Start Printed Page 15610information collection requirements on the public.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): This revision does not have new federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform): This rule meets applicable standards of 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, OSC amends 5 CFR part 1820 as follows:
1. The authority citation for 5 CFR part 1820 is revised to read as follows:
2. Section 1820.3 is revised to read as follows:
3. Section 1820.5 is amended by adding paragraphs (c) and (d) to read as follows:
4. Section 1820.6 is revised to read as follows:
(2) By fax sent to the FOIA Officer at, (202) 254-3711, or the number provided on the FOIA page of OSC's Web site https://osc.gov/​Pages/​FOIAResources.aspx;​ or
(3) By email to foiaappeal@osc.gov, or other electronic means as described on the FOIA page of OSC's Web site, https://osc.gov/​Pages/​FOIAResources.aspx.
5. Section 1820.7(b)(6) is revised to read as follows:
[FR Doc. 2017-06047 Filed 3-29-17; 8:45 am]