Search Results for keywords:"Freedom of Information Act"

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has announced a new system of records called "NLRB Freedom of Information Act Records (NLRB-37)" as part of the Privacy Act of 1974. This system will keep track of requests and appeals made to the NLRB under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It will be used to manage and store these requests and allow the NLRB to meet reporting requirements and manage FOIA-related activities. The NLRB is also rescinding two previous systems, NLRB FOIAonline (NLRB-35) and the Freedom of Information Act Tracking System (FTS) and Associated Agency Files (NLRB-32).

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is asking for public comments on a proposal to continue collecting data for the Quarterly Report of Assets and Liabilities of Large Foreign Offices of U.S. Banks (form number FR 2502q) for three more years. This report, submitted quarterly by certain U.S. banks and financial companies with significant foreign branches, helps monitor these institutions' claims and liabilities overseas. The Board is particularly interested in comments about the necessity and usefulness of the information collected, the time it takes to do so, and the estimated costs involved. Comments must be submitted by April 5, 2021.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requesting public feedback on renewing the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for collecting information titled "Public Records." This collection involves NRC Forms 507 and 509 used in its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The NRC is updating these forms to notify requesters about processing fees and other aspects related to FOIA requests. Comments should be submitted by March 9, 2021, and can be sent electronically or by mail to the addresses provided.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has finalized new regulations for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act, reflecting updates from the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. These revisions aim to make the regulations easier to understand and use, improving public access to government records and information. The final rules also incorporated public feedback, with changes ensuring transparency and a presumption of openness while also addressing how requests and appeals are processed. Additionally, the CEQ has updated administrative procedures, including the handling of fees and how appeals are managed, to align with current policies and practices.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the renewal of an information collection activity aimed at reducing paperwork and respondent burden. They are seeking public comments on the necessity, practicality, and accuracy of their information collections, as well as suggestions to improve quality and reduce respondent burden. The collection is part of the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act processes, requiring individuals to provide personally identifiable information through a paper form. Comments on this collection can be submitted within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The National Archives and Records Administration is holding a virtual Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee meeting on March 3, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST. Participants need to register by February 28, 2021, to attend. The meeting will feature a presentation on accessing records in the legislative and judicial branches, along with updates from four subcommittees focused on Classification, Legislation, Process, and Technology. Interested parties can register online and access more information through provided links and contacts.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announced that the Office of Government Information Services will hold a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee meeting on March 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon EST. The meeting will be held virtually, and participants need to register by March 4, 2025. During the meeting, the committee will hear reports and consider recommendations from the subcommittees focused on Implementation, Statutory Reform, and Volume and Frequency. The public can attend the meeting online after registering and may offer three-minute oral comments if they register in advance.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has announced a proposal to renew an information collection activity under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This activity gathers bird count data for over 600 North American bird species, which helps in assessing bird populations and trends. Public comments on this collection are invited until March 10, 2025, and individuals who choose to participate in submitting data do so voluntarily. The USGS protects any proprietary information provided and estimates that responding will take about 11 hours on average per submission.

The Department of Education is seeking public comments on the extension of an existing information collection related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The purpose of this collection is to verify the identity of individuals requesting personal records, ensuring accurate and timely processing of these requests. The department is particularly interested in feedback on whether this process is necessary, how it might be improved, and ways to reduce the burden on respondents. The deadline for submitting comments is March 12, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Energy is implementing a new rule that exempts certain records from the Privacy Act of 1974 because those records contain classified information. This new system, known as DOE-85, involves research, technology, and economic security reviews and aims to manage risks related to national security and foreign policy. The rule is effective January 16, 2025, and is tailored to protect classified information while allowing DOE to coordinate effectively with other agencies. Despite public concerns, the DOE maintains that these exemptions are necessary and do not violate laws like the Freedom of Information Act.