Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/02/13/2014-03040/freedom-of-information
Timestamp: 2016-07-25 15:55:38
Document Index: 423485826

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Federal Register | Freedom of Information
A Rule by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation on
Dates: This rule is effective February 14, 2014.
-8614 (8 pages)
Document Number: 2014-03040
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-03040 Related Topics
OPIC adopted the following suggestions. First, OPIC made some editorial changes. An erroneous reference in § 706.11(e) was changed from Section 706.10(c) to § 706.24. Also the term “non-public records” was changed to “records” as it was suggested that requesters might consider “non-public records” to be records excluded from the FOIA.
Third, OPIC added definitions of “requester categories” and “fee waivers” to §§ 706.21 and 706.24, respectively. These two fee relevant determinations are often confused by requesters and OPIC agrees that the public would benefit from explicit definitions.
Fourth, OPIC added the following sentence to the end of § 706.22(f): “OPIC will not aggregate multiple requests that involve multiple matters.” This language is already included in the other subsection dealing with request aggregation, § 706.30(e).
Fifth, OPIC has modified the example in § 706.30(f)(3) to remove the word “professional.” The sentence now reads: “For example, under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, a requester who is not a full-time member of the news media must establish that he or she is a person whose primary activity or occupation is information dissemination.” OPIC did so to address a concern that requesters might interpret the expedited processing provision relating to “a person primarily engaged in information dissemination” as applying only to persons who are paid for disseminating information. The new wording makes it clearer that the standard can be met regardless of whether the requester is paid.
Third, in § 706.11(a)(3), OPIC did not change the term, “Where a request for records pertains to a third party” to, “Where a request for records pertains to a living third party.” This section provides information on how to obtain a fuller response on records for both a living and deceased third party, therefore the limitation to only a living party would be inaccurate.
Fourth, OPIC did not delete § 706.30(e). The commenter felt that this section, dealing with the effect of aggregated requests upon the timing of OPIC's responses, was duplicative of § 706.22(f), which deals with the effect of aggregation upon fees charged. Including a section that discusses the effects of aggregating requests in the fees section as well as the timing section ensures the public is aware of both effects.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 202-05) Back to Top
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). Back to Top
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 706 Back to Top
For the reasons stated in the preamble the Overseas Private Investment Corporation revises 22 CFR Part 706 as follows:
PART 706—INFORMATION DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT Back to Top
706.33 Administrative appeals.
§ 706.1 Description.
§ 706.2 Policy.
§ 706.3 Scope.
§ 706.4 Preservation and transfer of records.
§ 706.5 Other rights and services.
Subpart B—Obtaining OPIC Records Back to Top
§ 706.10 Publically available records.
§ 706.11 Requesting records.
(e) Fees. You must state your willingness to pay fees under these regulations or, alternately, your willingness to pay up to a specified limit. If you believe that you qualify for a partial or total fee waiver under § 706.24 you should request a waiver and provide justification as required by § 706.24. If your request does not contain a statement of your willingness to pay fees or a request for a fee waiver, OPIC will consider your request an agreement to pay up to $25.00 in fees.
Subpart C—Fees for Requests Back to Top
§ 706.20 Types of fees.
(c) Review is the examination of a record located in response to a request in order to determine whether any portion of it is exempt from disclosure. Review time includes processing any record for disclosure, such as doing all that is necessary to prepare the record for disclosure, including the process of redacting the record and marking the appropriate exemptions. Review costs are properly charged even if a record ultimately is not disclosed. Review time also includes time spent both obtaining and considering any formal objection to disclosure made by a confidential commercial information submitter under § 706.32(c), but it does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application of exemptions.
§ 706.21 Requester categories.
Requester category means one of five categories that agencies place requesters in for the purpose of determining whether a requester will be charged fees for search, review and duplication. This is separate from a fee waiver, which waives any fees charged. Fee waivers are covered in § 706.24.
§ 706.22 Fees charged.
(a) In responding to FOIA requests, OPIC will charge the following fees unless a waiver or reduction of fees has been granted under § 706.24.
(b) Restrictions on charging fees. (1) No search fees will be charged for educational use requests, noncommercial scientific use requests, or news media requests as defined in § 706.21. When OPIC fails to comply with the time limits in which to respond to a request, and if no unusual or exceptional circumstances apply to the processing of the request, OPIC may not charge search fees, or, in the instances of requests from requesters defined in § 706.21(b) through (d), may not charge duplication fees. (2) Except for requesters seeking records for a commercial use, OPIC will provide without charge:
(e) Charging interest. OPIC may charge interest on any unpaid bill starting on the thirty-first day following the billing date. Interest charges will be assessed at the rate provided in 31 U.S.C. 3717 and will accrue from the billing date until payment is received by OPIC. OPIC will follow the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (97, 96 Stat. 1749), as amended, and its administrative procedures, including the use of consumer reporting agencies, collection agencies, and offset.
§ 706.23 Advance payments.
(a) For requests other than those described in paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) of § 706.22, OPIC will not require the requester to make an advance payment before work is commenced or continued on a request. Payment owed for work already completed (i.e., payment before copies are sent to a requester) is not an advance payment.
§ 706.24 Requirements for waiver or reduction of fees.
(a) Records responsive to a request shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced rate below that established under § 706.22, where OPIC determines, based on all available information, that the requester has demonstrated that:
(1) OPIC shall identify any commercial interest of the requester, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, that would be furthered by the requested disclosure. Requesters shall be given an opportunity to provide explanatory information regarding this consideration.
Subpart D—Processing of Requests Back to Top
§ 706.30 Timing of responses to requests.
(c) Tolling of response time. OPIC may toll its response time once to seek clarification of a request in accordance with § 706.11(b) or as needed to resolve fee issues in accordance with §§ 706.22(c) and 706.23(d). The response time will resume upon OPIC's receipt of the requester's clarification or upon resolution of the fee issue.
(4) OPIC shall notify the requester within ten calendar days of the receipt of a request for expedited processing of its decision whether to grant or deny expedited processing. If expedited processing is granted, the request shall be given priority, placed in the processing track for expedited requests, and shall be processed as soon as practicable. If OPIC denies expedited processing, any appeal of that decision which complies with the procedures set forth in § 706.33 shall be acted on expeditiously.
§ 706.31 Responses to requests.
(b) Grants of requests. OPIC will notify the requester in writing if it makes a determination to grant a request in full or in part. The notice will inform the requester of any fees charged under § 706.22. OPIC will disclose the requested records to the requester promptly upon payment of any applicable fees.
(3) An estimate of the volume of any records or information withheld, for example, by providing the number of pages or some other reasonable form of estimation. This estimation is not required if the volume is otherwise indicated by deletions marked on records that are disclosed in part, or if providing an estimate would harm an interest protected by an applicable exemption; (4) A brief description of the types of information withheld and the reasons for doing so. A description and explanation are not required if providing it would harm an interest protected by an applicable exemption;
(6) Notice of any fees charged under § 706.22.
§ 706.32 Confidential commercial information.
§ 706.33 Administrative appeals.
(a) Requirements for making an appeal. A requester may appeal any adverse determinations denying his or her request to OPIC's Vice President and General Counsel at FOIA@opic.gov or 1100 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20527. Examples of adverse determinations are provided in § 706.31(c). The requester must make the appeal in writing and it must be postmarked, or in the case of electronic submissions, transmitted, within twenty working days following the date on which the requester receives OPIC's denial. Appeals that have not been postmarked or transmitted within the twenty days will be considered untimely and will be administratively closed with notice to the requester. The appeal letter should include the assigned request number. The requester should mark both the appeal letter and envelope, or subject line of the electronic transmission, “Freedom of Information Act Appeal.”
(c) Decisions on appeals. A decision that upholds the initial determination will contain a written statement that identifies the reasons for the affirmance, including any FOIA exemptions applied, and will provide the requester with notification of the statutory right to file a lawsuit or the ability to request mediation from the Office of Government Information Services. If an initial determination is remanded or modified on appeal the requester will be notified in writing. OPIC's FOIA Office will then process the request in accordance with that appeal determination and respond directly to the requester. If an appeal is granted in whole or in part, the information will be made available promptly, provided the requirements of § 706.22 regarding payment of fees are satisfied.