Bill > S09739

This bill requires all state agencies that handle government or proprietary functions to submit an annual log of all Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests they received or had pending during the year to the Committee on Open Government. FOIL is the law that allows the public to request access to government records. These logs must be in a machine-readable, spreadsheet format prescribed by the committee and include detailed information about each request, such as the requestor's name and affiliation, the subject of the request, dates of receipt and response, whether the request was granted or denied, any exemptions cited, and information about appeals or legal proceedings. Municipal agencies will also be required to submit the total number of FOIL requests received and closed annually. The Committee on Open Government will then be responsible for publishing all these submitted logs and municipal data on a single webpage in a machine-readable format, and also on a state data website, making this information publicly accessible. The bill also mandates that the committee analyze this data and include findings in its annual report, and by January 1, 2028, it must report on the feasibility of requiring municipal agencies to submit more detailed FOIL request logs similar to those required of state agencies.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9739