FCC Revises Freedom of Information Act Rules to Implement New FOIA Law
The FCC updated its Freedom of Information Act rules, implementing the FOIA Improvement Act the president signed into law June 30. As "changes to rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice," the new regulations didn't require notice and comment, said…
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a commission order unanimously approved on circulation and released Thursday. "These provisions included providing 90 days for requesters to file appeals of FOIA requests, ensuring that requesters are informed of avenues for FOIA dispute resolution, and providing for public posting of materials that are requested multiple times," said the order, saying the changes could generally be grouped into two categories. "First are rule amendments that are required by or flow directly from changes made by the FOIA Improvement Act," including changes "that are informed by" the new law, the order said. "Second are rule amendments designed to conform the rules to existing Commission FOIA practice, streamline FOIA procedures, and provide for clerical corrections. A number of years have passed since the Commission’s FOIA regulations were last updated, and new technology, practices, and procedures have arisen since that time." The 34-page order spelled out the details of the regulatory changes, which will take effect 30 days after Federal Register publication.