Bill > HR1564

This bill, titled the Faster FOIA Act of 2011, proposes the establishment of a Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays to study and identify ways to reduce delays in how federal agencies handle requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a law that grants the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. The Commission, composed of twelve members appointed by various congressional leaders, the Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Archivist of the United States, and the Comptroller General, will examine issues such as the efficiency of FOIA administration, the fairness of fee structures and fee waivers, and the reasons behind an increase in the government's use of FOIA exemptions in fiscal year 2009, including whether this increase contributed to delays and if agencies complied with President Obama's 2009 directive on FOIA. Furthermore, the Commission will investigate potential disparities in how FOIA requests are processed and responded to based on political considerations, ideological viewpoints, or the identity of the requestor, and the extent of political appointees' involvement in the FOIA process. The Commission is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to Congress and the President within one year of the bill's enactment and will terminate 30 days after submitting this report.