Bill > S02520

This bill modifies the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response timelines for New York state agencies, establishing a phased approach to reducing the maximum time allowed to fulfill records requests. Under the new provisions, agencies must respond to records requests within progressively shorter timeframes: 180 days for requests made before the end of 2026, 90 days for requests made in 2027, and 60 days for requests made from 2028 onward. The bill allows agencies to extend these timelines only under specific circumstances, such as federal legal restrictions, employee safety concerns, or when records are extremely voluminous. If an agency needs additional time, it must provide a detailed written explanation to the requester, including monthly progress updates, and must also notify the Committee on Open Government. The notification must be signed by the agency's commissioner and explain why the records cannot be provided within the standard timeframe and what efforts are being made to expedite the request. Additionally, the bill reinforces existing requirements for agencies to accept electronic requests, maintain websites with online submission capabilities, and make reasonable efforts to retrieve electronic records when possible. The changes aim to improve transparency and efficiency in public records access by establishing more stringent response timelines.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2520