Opinion ID: 596386
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Meaning of Section 10(b) of FACA

Text: 16 While the immediate controversy between FCN and HHS appears to be resolved, the parties made assertions at oral argument that demonstrated that some of the confusion remained. We now address some of those assertions to clarify the scope and meaning of section 10(b) of FACA within the context of the dispute before us. 17 First, the Government asserted that, although HHS does not presently have any regulation, policy or practice that requires a FOIA request for unprotected documents, 4 it is not precluded from implementing [299 U.S.App.D.C. 29] that procedure in the future. We disagree. The language and structure of FACA express unequivocally that the Government is required to make available all nonexempt section 10(b) materials regardless of whether a FOIA request was filed. Moreover, the legislative history of FACA shows that Congress intended for the public to have access to section 10(b) materials before or at the meeting for which they were prepared. 18 Section 10(b) contains unambiguous language that identifies certain materials, and describes in detail the methods and location by and at which the Government must make those materials available to the public. The applicable materials include the records, reports ... working papers, drafts ... or other documents which were made available to or prepared for or by each advisory committee. 5 U.S.C. app. § 10(b). The Government must assure that section 10(b) materials shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the offices of the advisory committee. Id. The language of section 10(b) mirrors that of section 552(a)(2) of FOIA, which states: Each agency ... shall make available for public inspection and copying.... 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2). Disclosure of section 552(a)(2) materials clearly does not require a FOIA request, as FOIA requests are needed only for materials not made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 552(a). 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(3). Like section 552(a)(2), section 10(b) affirmatively obligates the Government to provide access to the identified materials, regardless of whether a FOIA request has been filed. 19 With regard to the timing of the release of section 10(b) materials to be made available to the public, the Government has assured the court that, except in truly unusual circumstances, HHS's practice is to release those materials before or on the date of the advisory committee meeting for which those materials were prepared. FACA requires no less. Congress passed FACA to open the advisory committee process to the public to prevent subjective influences not in the public interest from controlling the meetings. S.REP. NO. 92-1098, 92nd Cong., 2d Sess. 6 (1972). Congress considered section 10 to be: 20 one of the key sections in the legislation. It establishes the standard of openness in advisory committee deliberations, and provides an opportunity for interested parties to present their views and be informed with respect to the subject matter taken up by such committees.... [T]he intention of this legislation is that the standard of openness and public inspection of advisory committee records is to be liberally construed. 21 Id. at 14 (emphasis added). In order for interested parties to present their views, and for the public to be informed with respect to the subject matter, it is essential that, whenever practicable, parties have access to the relevant materials before or at the meeting at which the materials are used and discussed. Opening the meetings to the public would be meaningless if the public could not follow the substance of the discussions.