FOIA Act

Sponsor: DARRELL ISSA (R-CA)

FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2014 or the FOIA ACT - (Sec. 2) Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to: require federal agencies to make disclosable public records available in an electronic, publicly accessible format; require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure the existence and operation of a single, free website for submitting requests for records, receiving automated information about the status of a FOIA request, and filing appeals; prohibit an agency from withholding information under FOIA unless such agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would cause specific identifiable harm to an interest protected by an exemption under FOIA or if disclosure is prohibited by law (presumption of openess); expand the functions and reporting requirements of the Office of Government Information Services within the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA); require the Office of Government Information Services to offer mediation services to resolve disputes concerning the disclosure of information under FOIA; expand the rights of individuals making a FOIA request to appeal an adverse determination; require agencies to determine whether the release of agency records would contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of government; require agencies to document additional search or duplication fees; require agencies to submit annual FOIA reports to the Director of the Office of Government Information Services, in addition to the Attorney General; expand the duties of the Chief FOIA Officer of each agency to require an annual compliance review of FOIA requirements; establish the Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for increasing compliance with FOIA requirements; and require each agency to update its FOIA regulations within 180 days of the enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Information Policy of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to submit biennial reports to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Judiciary identifying categories of records that would be appropriate for proactive disclosure under FOIA.

Government Operations and Politics Topic assigned by the Congressional Research Service.