Bill > A02321

This bill requires all state agencies that perform governmental or proprietary functions to submit detailed logs of their Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to the Committee on Open Government each year. The logs must cover a twelve-month period and include extensive information about each request, such as the requestor's name, request date, response details, whether the request was granted or denied, exemptions cited, number of documents produced, and any related legal proceedings. For municipal agencies, a simpler submission of the total number of requests received and closed will be required starting in 2027. The Committee on Open Government must publish all these logs on a single webpage by January 1st each year, making them publicly accessible in machine-readable formats like spreadsheets. Additionally, the committee is required to analyze the submitted data and include findings in its annual report. By January 1st, 2028, the committee must also produce a report with recommendations about expanding the detailed logging requirements to municipal agencies, considering factors like response times and use of exemptions. The bill aims to increase transparency in how government agencies handle public records requests by creating a comprehensive, centralized record of FOIL interactions.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2321