Overview
Title
Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Archives wants people to help decide if certain old papers from the government should be thrown away because they're not needed anymore. People can share their thoughts online or by mail until March 22, 2021, and all feedback will be looked at before anything is decided.
Summary AI
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is inviting the public to comment on certain federal agencies' requests to dispose of records that are no longer needed for their operations. These records schedules are listed in the Federal Register and on regulations.gov. The public can submit their comments by March 22, 2021, through the eRulemaking portal or by mail. NARA will review all feedback and issue a consolidated reply summarizing the responses to the public comments before final approval by the Archivist of the United States.
Abstract
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) publishes notice of certain Federal agency requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). We publish notice in the Federal Register and on regulations.gov for records schedules in which agencies propose to dispose of records they no longer need to conduct agency business. We invite public comments on such records schedules.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document issued by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) invites the public to review and comment on federal agencies' requests to discard records that are no longer needed for government operations. This document represents an important step in ensuring transparency and accountability in how government records are managed and potentially discarded.
General Summary
The main objective of the document is to notify the public about various federal agencies seeking permission to dispose of records they no longer require for their duties. As part of this process, NARA opens the floor for public comments, which can be filed by March 22, 2021. Comments can be submitted via the regulations.gov portal or through traditional mail.
The document lists the records schedules by agency, detailing the types of records and their proposed dispositions. The review process aims to preserve records of lasting value while authorizing the destruction of others after they fulfill their purpose.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document. Firstly, the text employs specialized terminology, such as "records schedules" and "disposition authority," which might not be immediately clear to a layperson. This technical language can obscure understanding without added context or clear definitions.
Moreover, the commenting process necessitates technical knowledge, such as citing control numbers and choosing between multiple methods for submission. This complexity might deter some individuals from participating. Furthermore, the public posting of comments may discourage others from engaging due to privacy issues or concerns about revealing sensitive information inadvertently.
Legal references, such as "44 U.S.C. 3303a(a)," are another potential hurdle, requiring additional research for those not acquainted with U.S. legal codes. Such references might leave many readers without a clear understanding of the implications or procedural context.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document provides a crucial check on the power of federal agencies to discard records, linking this process to public scrutiny and feedback. For the average citizen, this represents a mechanism to influence how historical or policy-related information is preserved.
However, the complexity of language and procedures could limit public engagement to those with prior knowledge or resources to navigate these processes. Ensuring this information is both accessible and understandable is key to promoting a more inclusive dialogue.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For federal agencies, the process ensures they are held accountable in managing records, balancing operational efficiency with public interest in preserving historical data. NARA's role provides an organized and methodical process for making these decisions, ultimately designed to protect public records of significance.
On the flip side, some segments of the public, particularly those interested in historical preservation or transparency, might see this as an opportunity to influence decision-making. Nonetheless, these stakeholders might also feel burdened by the perceived complexity of participating effectively in the process.
Overall, while the document fosters transparency and encourages public involvement, it also underscores the need for clear and accessible communication to broaden participation and understanding.
Issues
• The document uses technical terminology such as 'records schedules' and 'disposition authority' that might not be immediately clear to a general audience without additional context.
• There is a specific procedure for submitting comments, which might be cumbersome for some individuals due to the requirement of citing a control number and deciding between multiple submission methods.
• The document mentions public posting of comments, highlighting the need for commenters to prevent any confidential information from being included. However, this might discourage some from participating due to privacy concerns.
• The legal references such as '44 U.S.C. 3303a(a)' could be difficult for those unfamiliar with U.S. legal codes, thus requiring additional research to understand fully.
• The details regarding schedule postings and approval processes (e.g., the term 'Consolidated Reply') may be confusing without a clearer explanation of how these impact the commenting public.
• The section on 'Background' is dense and could be simplified to enhance understanding, especially regarding the role and process of the Archivist's approval.