Bill > A00524

This bill modifies the New York Public Officers Law to change how Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) appeals are processed. Currently, when a person is denied access to a government record, they can appeal to the head of the agency that denied the request. The bill would instead require these appeals to be heard by the Committee on Open Government, a state agency that provides guidance on public access to government records. The bill changes multiple sections of the law to reflect this shift, including provisions about how appeals are filed, how agencies respond to appeals, and the subsequent legal procedures if an appeal is denied. Specifically, the bill removes language about appeals being sent to agency heads and replaces it with references to the Committee on Open Government handling these appeals. This change aims to potentially create a more standardized and neutral process for reviewing FOIL requests, as the Committee on Open Government is an independent body focused on transparency and public access to government information. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A524