[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 589 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 59
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 589
To establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing
Delays.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 10, 2005
Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Durbin)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
March 17, 2005
Reported by Mr. Specter, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing
Delays.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COMMISSION ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROCESSING DELAYS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Faster FOIA Act of
2005''.
(b) Establishment.--There is established the Commission on Freedom
of Information Act Processing Delays (in this Act referred to as the
``Commission'') for the purpose of conducting a study relating to
methods to help reduce delays in processing requests submitted to
Federal agencies under section 552 of title 5, United States Code
(commonly referred to as the ``Freedom of Information Act'').
(c) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 16
members of whom--
(A) 3 shall be appointed by the chairman of the
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(B) 3 shall be appointed by the ranking member of
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(C) 3 shall be appointed by the chairman of the
Committee on Government Reform of the House of
Representatives;
(D) 3 shall be appointed by the ranking member of
the Committee on Government Reform of the House of
Representatives;
(E) 1 shall be appointed by the Attorney General of
the United States;
(F) 1 shall be appointed by the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget;
(G) 1 shall be appointed by the Archivist of the
United States; and
(H) 1 shall be appointed by the Comptroller General
of the United States.
(2) Qualifications of congressional appointees.--Of the 3
appointees under each of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D)
of paragraph (1)--
(A) at least 1 shall have experience in submitting
requests under section 552 of title 5, United States
Code, to Federal agencies, such as on behalf of
nonprofit research or educational organizations or news
media organizations; and
(B) at least 1 shall have experience in academic
research in the fields of library science, information
management, or public access to Government information.
(d) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study to--
(1) identify methods that--
(A) will help reduce delays in the processing of
requests submitted to Federal agencies under section
552 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) ensure the efficient and equitable
administration of that section throughout the Federal
Government; and
(2) examine whether the system for charging fees and
granting waivers of fees under section 552 of title 5, United
States Code, needs to be reformed in order to reduce delays in
processing requests.
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Commission shall submit a report to Congress and the
President containing the results of the study under this section, which
shall include--
(1) a description of the methods identified by the study;
(2) the conclusions and recommendations of the Commission
regarding--
(A) each method identified; and
(B) the charging of fees and granting of waivers of
fees; and
(3) recommendations for legislative or administrative
actions to implement the conclusions of the Commission.
(f) Staff and Administrative Support Services.--The Comptroller
General of the United States shall provide to the Commission such staff
and administrative support services, including research assistance at
the request of the Commission, as necessary for the Commission to
perform its functions efficiently and in accordance with this section.
(g) Information.--To the extent permitted by law, the heads of
executive agencies, the Government Accountability Office, and the
Congressional Research Service shall provide to the Commission such
information as the Commission may require to carry out its functions.
(h) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Commission shall serve
without compensation for services performed for the Commission.
(i) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the
Commission.
(j) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Commission.
(k) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the
submission of the report under subsection (e).
Calendar No. 59
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 589
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing
Delays.
_______________________________________________________________________
March 17, 2005
Reported without amendment